FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I registered but didn’t receive my absentee ballot. What should I do?
If you registered and requested an absentee ballot but didn’t receive it yet, you can complete what’s called a Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB).
This will get counted in place of your absentee ballot. If you receive your ballot afterwards, you can always mail in your ballot and only one of them will count.
Don’t wait. Print, sign and mail your FWAB to your county board of elections or drop it off at the US embassy on or by Election Day.
Am I eligible to vote?
All U.S. citizens born or naturalized in the U.S. living in Israel are eligible to vote in all U.S. federal elections – including Presidential elections, Senate, and House of Representatives – by absentee ballot. This includes American Olim, American Gap-Year, Yeshiva, Kollel, Seminary and College Students, and America tourists who will be in Israel on election day.
What if I never lived in America?
American citizens who have made Aliyah and are dual citizens have the right to vote in U.S. elections. Also, children of American citizens born abroad (even if they have never resided in the U.S.) have the right to vote in 18 States: Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
I moved to Israel decades ago. Do I really have the right to vote in the U.S. elections?
Yes, as an American citizen you not only have a right but also a responsibility to carry out your civic duties and vote your conscience in the U.S. elections.
Do I need to register again if I registered in previous years?
Yes. Even if you previously registered for an absentee ballot, you still need to re-register every year for a new one.
Why should I bother voting for one party if my state is not a swing state and always goes Republican/Democrat?
This is a highly competitive election. Even if your State goes a particular way in Presidential elections, your vote might be decisive in shaping Congress, and thereby the foreign policy of the Administration.
I’d like to vote from overseas, but it’s so complicated.
True, and that’s why iVoteIsrael was created to help you. We’ve made the process as painless as possible. Simply register online and drop off your signed forms at the nearest iVoteIsrael location in your neighborhood and feel good about doing your civic duty.
Does it really matter if I vote in the U.S. election from Israel?
It matters - a lot. Both American security and economic policy profoundly impact Israel. American citizens living in Israel need to demonstrate their support for candidates who care about keeping America strong and helping ensure Israel’s safety, security and well-being.
In which state am I supposed to vote?
You must vote in the state and county of your last residence. Children of American citizens who have never lived in the US vote in the state and county of their parents’ last residence.
If I moved to Israel before I turned 18, in which state can I register?
You will register in your state of last residence.
