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February 7, 2024
Absentee Voting Information for U.S. Citizens in Thailand
Voting overseas is now easier than ever before! The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok and U.S. Consulate General in Chiang Mai are here to help you exercise your right to vote and answer your voting questions.
Absentee Voting Basics
Absentee voting is a simple two-step process:
1. To vote from abroad, you must register with local election officials in your state of voting residence AND request an absentee ballot. To do so, submit a completed Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) https://www.fvap.gov/fpca-privacy-notice to your local election officials. They will:
1. Confirm your eligibility to vote and put your name on a list to receive absentee ballots for any elections held that calendar year.
2. Send you a blank absentee ballot electronically or by mail.
2. Complete and return the ballot so it arrives before your state's ballot return deadline. If you have not received your blank ballot 30 days before an election, use the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot https://www.fvap.gov/fwab-privacy-noticeto vote.
IMPORTANT: U.S. citizens abroad must submit a new FPCA each year, every time you move, and whenever you change your address, email, or name to vote in U.S. elections. Submit your FPCA at the beginning of the calendar year, or at least 45 days before an election, to allow ample time to process your request and resolve any problems. Once approved, your name will be put on a list of voters to receive absentee ballots.
Voting and Returning Your Ballot
Complete your ballot carefully, legibly, and as early as possible. Make sure to return it to local election officials in time to meet your state’s deadline.
Overseas voters have several options for returning completed ballots:
• Local mail – If you have a reliable mail service to the United States, put your ballot in the mail with appropriate international postage.
• Fax, Email, or Internet – Some states permit electronic transmission of completed ballots. Consult the Voting Assistance Guide https://www.fvap.gov/guide for options in your state.
• Express Courier Service – If time is short or local mail unreliable, you can use professional courier services such as FedEx, DHL, or UPS at your own expense. NOTE: FedEx does not deliver to P.O. boxes.
• U.S. Embassy Diplomatic Pouch – You can submit your ballot request (FPCA) or completed ballot at the U.S. embassy or consulate for return to the United States. It must be addressed to your local election officials and have sufficient U.S. postage or be in a postage-paid envelope. A postage-paid envelope is available on the FVAP website https://www.fvap.gov/eo/overview/materials/forms.
o Drop-off Ballots: Voters may drop off voting materials at the voting box located near the consular entrance of the U.S. Embassy Bangkok or at the U.S. Consulate General in Chiang Mai, 24 hours per day, without an appointment.
o Mail Ballots: Voters can mail ballots to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General at the addresses below. The U.S. Embassy or Consulate will forward the ballots to your district office in the United States. Please utilize Thai Post or DHL to mail ballots; other methods are not reliable.
§ U.S. Embassy Bangkok
American Citizens Services
Attn: Voting Assistance Officer
95 Wireless Road
Bangkok, Thailand 10330
§ U.S. Consulate General Chiang Mai
American Citizens Services
Attn: Voting Assistance Officer
387 Wichayanond Rd
T. Chang Moi, A. Muang
Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand
Using an Emergency Write-In Ballot
If you completed all required steps but have not received your ballot 30 days before an election, submit a completed Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB) https://www.fvap.gov/fwab-privacy-notice. Contact the voting assistance officer at the U.S. embassy or consulate for help or visit the FVAP website to complete an FWAB using the online assistant. Write in the candidates of your choice, then print, sign, and send the FWAB to your local election officials. If your regular absentee ballot arrives after submitting a FWAB, you should still complete and return it. Your FWAB will be counted only if your regular ballot does not reach local election officials by your state’s deadline. This will not invalidate your vote or result in casting two votes.
Assistance
For voting resources, forms, and information on key voting dates, please visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) website https://www.fvap.gov/fwab-privacy-notice. If you have any additional questions, please send an email to [email protected] if you live in the Bangkok consular district or [email protected] if you live in the Chiang Mai consular district.