US Embassy Issues Guidance To Americans Abroad For Voting In November 8 Election

The 2022 US Midterm Election is on Tuesday, November 8, 2022.  The US Embassy, along with the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP), is working to ensure US citizens living overseas are aware of their right to vote and have the tools and resources to exercise that right.  See below for information on how you can request and mail your absentee ballot.

Requesting your ballot

Please visit www.FVAP.gov and click “Request your ballot now” on the homepage.  For specific instructions on voting absentee from abroad, visit www.fvap.gov/citizen-voter/overview.

This message is shared as a courtesy. The content is from the US State Department, specifically the US Embassy in Bogotá. Contact information is below.

Note that each state has different rules on the delivery of ballots.  Some send and receive ballots by email or fax, while others require ballots to be mailed.  Click the “Select your state” dropdown on the FVAP homepage to find specific information about your state.

If you do not receive your ballot at least 30 days prior to the election, you can vote via the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB).  The FWAB is an emergency ballot that can be used for Federal offices (for the 2022 Midterms, this includes members of the House of Representatives and members of the Senate).  You can find the FWAB here: https://www.fvap.gov/uploads/FVAP/Forms/fwab2013.pdf

Mailing your ballot

If your state does not accept ballots via email or fax, or you prefer to send your ballot by mail, you can mail your ballot using a foreign postal service, a commercial courier service, or the diplomatic pouch.  If mailing via a foreign postal or commercial courier service, you must pay for postage.

To mail your ballot via diplomatic pouch, simply stop by US Embassy Bogota to drop off your ballot.  The Embassy has set up a ballot drop box located in the security hut at the main entrance:

US Embassy Bogota

Carrera 45 No. 24B-27

Bogotá, D.C. Colombia

You can drop off your ballot Monday through Friday from 7:00am to 4:00pm in a sealed envelope addressed to your local election office.  Mailing through the diplomatic pouch is postage-free.  Just be sure to use the “Postage Paid” template on your envelope.

Please note that total transit time between the Embassy and your local election office may take up to 20 days, so we recommend you drop off your ballot as soon as possible.

Don’t miss your opportunity to exercise your right to vote!  For additional voting information, please visit www.FVAP.gov.

Assistance:

• US Embassy Bogota, Colombia
  Tel. +57-1-275-2000
  [email protected]
  https://co.usembassy.gov/
• US Consular Agency, Barranquilla
  [email protected]
• US Department of State – Consular Affairs
  1-888-407-4747 or 1-202-501-4444
• Colombia Country Information
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