Message for U.S. citizens in Poland: Returning Absentee Ballots for the 2026 U.S. midterm elections
The 2026 U.S. midterm elections are around the corner. Registering to vote and requesting your ballot is fast, easy, and can be done from anywhere in the world. Most U.S. citizens can receive their ballot electronically. U.S. citizens who want to vote in U.S. primary and general elections from overseas should send in a new Federal Post Card Application each year.
Follow the three easy steps below to register, request your ballot, and vote!
Request Your Ballot
Complete a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA allows you to request absentee ballots for all elections for federal offices (President, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House of Representatives) including primaries and special elections during the calendar year in which it is submitted. Many states provide the option to request ballots through their state election portals, accessible via FVAP.gov. We encourage you to select the option for receiving your ballot electronically (by email, internet download, or fax) when available. This is the fastest way to receive and return your completed ballot before your state’s deadline.
Receive and Complete Your Ballot
If you have not yet received your ballot, you may complete a Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot which – in some states – can also be used to register to vote absentee.
Return Your Completed, Signed Ballot
1. Some states allow you to return your completed ballot electronically and others do not. Follow the instructions received with your ballot. If your state requires you to return paper ballots, you can do so through international mail, professional courier service, or DPO.
2. When sending via DPO, you must place your ballot in a postage paid return envelope or in an envelope bearing sufficient U.S. postage to be delivered to the proper local election authorities. Pre-paid envelopes are available from the American Citizen Services (ACS) Unit or FVAP.gov.
3. For your vote to be counted, your ballot must be completed, dated, signed, and received by your voting jurisdiction’s deadline.
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 ACS Warsaw at ACSWarsaw@state.gov using code E99 in the subject line or ACS Krakow at KrakowACS@state.gov.
For Further Assistance
U.S. Embassy, Warsaw, Poland
Aleje Ujazdowskie 29/31, Piękna 12
00-539, Warsaw
+48 22 504 2000
U.S. Citizens Services Navigator
U.S. Consulate General, Krakow, Poland
Stolarska 9
31-043 Krakow, Poland
+48 22 504 2000
U.S. Citizens Services Navigator
U.S. Consular Agency, Poznan, Poland
Tel: +48 61 851 8516
ConsularAgencyPoznan@state.gov
State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates.