The 2024 U.S. Presidential election spurs American AAU students to cast their votes from across the globe, but how? 

The application process begins by requesting a ballot through the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) online at FVAP.gov. Most states permit submitting the application electronically, though mailing a paper copy is also an acceptable alternative.

“Voting matters; it’s how we make our voices heard and it is also how we protect the democratic process,” said Julia Brown from Democrats Abroad. “If we want the right to choose later, we need to make thoughtful choices now.”

It is recommended that mail-only ballots be submitted by Oct. 5 to allow enough time for the ballot to reach your local election office. Following FPCA submission, each state is legally required to send ballots, either electronically or by post, at least 45 days before the general election.

Completed ballots can be sent electronically, depending on the state. Mailing a physical ballot can be completed via an international mailing service or through the U.S. Embassy in Prague, between 8:30 and 16:00 on business days. Mailing your ballot to the U.S. Embassy in Prague for forwarding to your state is also acceptable if issued before the embassy’s mailing deadline of Oct. 5. 

“There’s a unique thrill I have when casting a vote, a moment where I can feel a direct connection to democracy,” said exchange student Timothy Page. “It’s a vital expression of personal agency, where I control my destiny by choosing who will lead me.”

If you have not received your ballot by Oct. 3, you can also vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB), a federal form you can fill out for any state and send back to your local election office just like a regular ballot. 

“Some more notes about the embassy mail: in order to not have to add postage to your envelope, students would need to use an official absentee balloting material envelope that says its postage [is] paid,” said Brown. 

FVAP.gov offers more information on voting abroad, including updates on mailing regulations, appropriate postage, and correct addresses.

Happy voting!