U.S. Citizens: How to Vote from France

U.S. citizens living in France are encouraged to register to vote in order to take part in presidential elections. U.S. officials advise citizens overseas to re-register, even if they voted in the last elections.

Can I still vote in an U.S presidential election from overseas?

All American citizens over 18 are eligible to vote except in certain special cases—such as U.S. citizens who have never lived in the United States (usually the adult children of U.S. citizens living abroad). Nonetheless, some states allow even these foreign-born adult children to vote—so it’s vital to check with your state to see if your adult children are eligible.

The toll-free phone number for queries from Americans in France to U.S. federal absentee voting experts is: 0800-917-304.

To register and request an overseas absentee ballot, you must fill out a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). You can obtain this form on-line from here from the Federal Voter Assistance Program website (an official U.S. government website)

The simpler way is to fill out the registration form via an online portal such as VoteFromAbroad. You will still need to print out the completed form, sign and date it and mail it to the election officials in the areawhere you last lived in the United States (don’t worry: the web wizard will TELL you where to mail it from the data you supply).

To fill out the form, you need the full address where you last lived in the United States, including zip code. (Tip: Can’t remember your zip code? A helpful website for finding zip codes is here. You supply the address; they supply the zip code.)

Most states also require a social security number. If you do not know yours or never had one, you can find out here.

Voting as an American overseas

It is estimated that 100,000 American citizens live in France alone. If they all voted, this would change the outcome in many races.

You do not need to own property in the States or have any intention to return there in order to vote.

Contrary to what some Americans think, there are no provisions for in-person voting or on-site registration at U.S. embassies or consulates.

Democrats

Democrats Abroad has a local chapter in Southwestern France. Find out more at

Republicans

Republicans Abroad are headquartered in Paris.