Location: Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza
Event: Reminder to register and request an absentee ballot by August 1
Registering and requesting an absentee ballot with the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) by August 1 is the best way for voters to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible. The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) also recommends you check your state’s submission guidelines, as most states give voters the option to send the FPCA by mail, fax or email.
Using the FPCA allows overseas citizens to:
- Receive their blank ballot electronically.
- Use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) as a backup ballot, if needed.
FVAP encourages overseas U.S. citizens to take these individual actions to help overcome any potential disruptions to host country mail operations:
Consider asking that your ballot be sent to you electronically: Due to mail disruptions, voters living in Israel, the West Bank, or Gaza should select an electronic option for receiving their blank ballot from their election official. Not all states and counties allow electronic receipt of blank ballots; check FVAP.gov or ask your state voting office if this is an option for you.
Consider state ballot submission alternatives: Refer to your state’s instructions on FVAP.gov for ways to return your completed ballot. Most states allow voters to submit ballots online.
To avoid extra trips outside your home during the pandemic, voters are strongly encouraged to submit ballots directly to their home states via email or fax where possible. Where mail-in ballots are the only option, please consider using a courier service to send your ballot directly to your home state to be counted.
As a last resort, eligible voters are permitted to drop off ballots at the American Citizen Services Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem or Embassy Branch Office in Tel Aviv. Please note that it can take up to four weeks for mail to reach its destination if sent by diplomatic pouch. Ballots can be dropped off at the American Citizen Services Unit at the U.S. Embassy Jerusalem from 9:00AM-11:00AM Monday, Wednesday, and Friday by appointment only or at the Embassy Branch Office Tel Aviv from 8:00AM-11:00AM on Tuesday and Thursday.
Please note that all visitors to the Embassy are subject to security screening and you will not be permitted to bring electronic devices, including cell phones, inside the facility.
Learn more at the Federal Voting Assistance Program’s (FVAP) website, FVAP.gov. If you have any questions about registering to vote overseas, please contact U.S. Embassy Jerusalem, Branch Office Tel Aviv Voting Assistance Officer at VoteTelAviv@state.gov or U.S. Embassy Jerusalem Voting Assistance Officer at VoteJerusalem@state.gov.
