This proposal changes how some Americans living overseas get absentee ballots. If you live abroad and are not in the military, you would have to give your state a verifiable mailing address inside that state for a current residence—either yours or your spouse’s, parent’s, or legal guardian’s—to receive a state absentee ballot.

If you don’t provide that address, you could still vote in federal races (like President and Congress), but you would vote in the District of Columbia on the same election day and be treated as a DC resident for that election only. Military voters are not affected by this change. The rules would start with elections in 2026 and later.

• Who is affected: Americans living overseas who are not in the military
• What changes: Must give a verifiable in‑state mailing address tied to a current residence to get a state absentee ballot
• If no address is given: You can vote in DC for federal offices for that election, and are treated as a DC resident for it
• Not affected: Military voters overseas
• When: Applies to elections in 2026 and after