Living in Spain comes with plenty of bureaucratic nightmares paperwork: getting your Cl@ve, filing your taxes, discovering the joys of being an autónomo. And if you’re American, there’s one more thing for the list this autumn: voting in the U.S. midterms.
The good news? There’s a straightforward place to start: request your ballot, check your state’s instructions, and give yourself enough time to return it.
Ahead of the November 2026 midterms, we spoke with Andrew Anderson, Chair of Democrats Abroad Spain, during a Substack Live about voting from overseas. He shared answers to 10 common questions, from eligibility to the misconception that overseas votes don’t count.
Here’s what you need to know to vote from Spain.
1. Can U.S. citizens living in Spain vote in the 2026 midterms?
Yes. Eligible U.S. citizens living in Spain can vote in U.S. federal elections from abroad. That includes retirees, working professionals, students studying overseas, and dual citizens.
You must meet the voting-age requirement of 18 and your state’s eligibility and registration requirements. Living in Madrid, Málaga, or Mallorca does not, by itself, mean giving up your vote.
Start by checking your registration status and the requirements for your voting state. Don’t assume that having voted in a previous election means your overseas ballot is already on its way.
2. Can I vote if I’m a U.S. citizen who has never lived in the United States?
You may be able to, depending on your state’s rules. The accompanying voter guide explains that many states allow U.S. citizens born abroad who have never lived in the United States to vote using a U.S. citizen parent’s last American address.
This is a case where the details matter. Check the rules for the state connected to your parent’s last U.S. residence through VoteFromAbroad.org, and contact the relevant election office if you need clarification.
Having never lived in the United States is a reason to check your eligibility—not to assume you cannot vote.
3. How do I register to vote from Spain and request an absentee ballot?
Use the Federal Post Card Application, or FPCA, to register and request your absentee ballot. It combines both tasks in one form.
The voter guide recommends VoteFromAbroad.org, a free website that walks you through questions specific to your state and generates a form ready to submit.
Complete the application and follow the submission instructions for your state. If your election office asks for additional information, respond promptly: an unfinished application can hold up the next step.
4. Do I need to request a ballot again if I voted from Spain before?
Submit a new FPCA each calendar year, even if you voted from abroad in a previous election cycle. That is the guidance in the accompanying voter guide.
Treat your overseas ballot request as an annual task. Being registered to vote and having requested a ballot for the current year are separate things to check.
If you voted in the last presidential election but haven’t submitted an FPCA for 2026, check your state’s requirements and deadlines on www.votefromabroad.org.
5. What is the deadline to request and return my ballot from Spain?
Ballot request deadlines are coming up fast! There is no single deadline that every American in Spain can follow. Check your state’s deadlines for registration, ballot requests, and ballot return, along with the instructions that apply to your ballot.
Anderson’s clearest advice during our conversation was to check your status and request your ballot immediately, then resolve any problems with your election office as quickly as possible.
If you must return by postal mail, allow time for international delivery. The voter guide gives an estimated mailing time of one to three weeks from Spain to the United States. That is an estimate, not a guarantee.
6. How will I receive my U.S. absentee ballot in Spain?
Your local election office sends your ballot after approving your application.
The voter guide recommends choosing electronic delivery where available to avoid international postal delays.
One distinction matters here: receiving your ballot electronically does not necessarily mean you can return it electronically. Read the return instructions before deciding how to send your completed ballot back.
7. Can I return my ballot online, or do I have to mail it from Spain?
It depends on your state. Some states accept completed ballots by email or secure online upload; others require postal return.
This point was clarified during the live conversation. One participant described a New Jersey process involving both electronic and paper copies, but every state is different!
Follow the instructions supplied with your own ballot (‼️), including any requirement to return a paper copy after an electronic submission. If mailing is required, send it early enough to meet your state’s deadline.
8. What should I do if my absentee ballot hasn’t arrived?
Contact your local election office promptly and ask for help. You can also use the Voter Helpdesk through VoteFromAbroad.org.
Anderson explained that Democrats Abroad Spain has trained volunteers who can help voters with ballot problems and direct them to the appropriate support.
If you requested your ballot in 2026 using the FPCA and it hasn't arrived yet, you can send in a backup ballot while waiting for your regular ballot to arrive. More information here.
9. How can I check whether my ballot has been received?
Check with your state or local election office. Anderson explained that voters can use their state’s ballot-tracking resources, with VoteFromAbroad.org helping them find the relevant information.
Contact the election office directly by email or phone if the status is unclear or a problem appears.
Keep following the process after sending your ballot. If officials request a correction or further information, respond as quickly as possible.
10. Do overseas ballots actually count?
Yes. Being cast from overseas is not a reason for a ballot to be disregarded. Anderson directly rejected that misconception during our conversation.
Your ballot still needs to meet the applicable eligibility, submission, and deadline requirements. That is why checking your state’s instructions, returning it on time, and following up on any problems matters.
The practical starting point is VoteFromAbroad.org: check your state, complete your ballot request, and follow the instructions through to the end.
This guide is part of a nonpartisan voter campaign paid for by Democrats Abroad to help eligible Americans in Spain vote from abroad, regardless of party.