American Citizens can easily vote from Cambodia. Did you know that many U.S. elections for House and Senate seats have been decided by a margin smaller than the number of ballots cast by absentee voters? All states are required to count every absentee ballot as long as it is valid and reaches local election officials by the absentee ballot receipt deadline. Follow these easy steps to ensure your vote is counted in the U.S. elections:

1. Register and Request Your Ballot: Complete the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) every January, every time you move, or at least 90 days before an election to register and request your ballot. FVAP.gov will tell you if your state allows the FPCA to be returned electronically, by fax, or by mail.

2. Fill Out and Return Your Ballot: For most states, you can confirm your registration and ballot delivery online. If you don’t have your absentee ballot at least 30 days before the election, you can use an emergency backup ballot called the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Once your ballot arrives, follow the instructions to complete and return your state’s ballot (or the FWAB). We recommend you use email or fax. If your state requires you to return by mail, you can use international mail, a courier service such as FedEx or DHL, or send it through diplomatic pouch.

3. Assistance Sending Election Materials: Fax assistance is available here. If you require embassy assistance to fax your ballot, please make an appointment online or call us to help. No appointment is needed to drop off your ballot for mailing. To use this service, please bring your election materials to the Consular Entrance  during business hours, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We recommend you place your voted ballot inside a separate blank envelope marked “Security Envelope” for privacy. Place the security envelope/election materials in a postage paid envelope or in an envelope bearing sufficient domestic U.S. postage, addressed to the relevant local election officials. Postage-paid envelopes are available online. Please allow approximately 4-6 weeks for your materials to arrive in the United States.

4. Additional Help: If you have any questions about voting from Cambodia, please contact Phnom Penh’s Voting Assistance Officer at VotePhnomPenh@state.gov. We are happy to assist you to make sure your vote counts!