Americans in Netherlands Voting Rights
Americans in Netherlands have the right to vote in federal elections (and often state and city elections). Find out about USA overseas citizens voting here…
In the U.S., voter registration and organizing election voting fall under the jurisdiction of state governments, even when an election is being held for a federal office. Federal offices include those of President, Senators and House of Representatives. When an American citizen moves abroad, they need to alert the voter registration office in the state where they last resided.
Because voting is a state function, the federal government cannot require elections be held in a particular way. As such, every state handles voting and voter registration in its own way. There is no standard which is followed. This can sometimes make it difficult for someone living abroad to understand what they must do to vote in an upcoming election.
Although the federal government does not have any authority over voter registration, it does provide voter assistance to citizens living abroad including Americans in Netherlands. They might be expats living abroad temporarily or long-term, students studying out of the country, military staff stationed overseas, etc.
U.S. FEDERAL VOTING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) was setup to ensure Service members, their eligible family members and American citizens living abroad are aware of their right to vote and have the tools and resources to successfully do so, wherever they live in the world.
The FVAP website not only has the most updated voter registration instructions for all 50 states, it also has two downloadable PDF’s…
- Voter Registration and Absentee Ballot Request (FPCA) – a standardized form accepted at all 50 state voter registration offices. Fill it out and mail it to your specific state office (addresses listed on FVAP website)
- Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) – which can be used to vote in an upcoming Federal election
Both forms include prepaid United States postage (valid within the U.S.).
UNITED STATES EMBASSY IN NETHERLANDS DROP OFF
The prepaid postage on both forms is only good within the United States. If one or both forms are being sent from the Netherlands, the correct Dutch postage must be applied.
To avoid the cost of Dutch postage, the forms can also be placed in the drop box located at the entrance of the U.S. Embassy in The Hague (Wassenaar). They will be brought to the U.S. via diplomatic pouch and placed in the U.S. postal system.
NOTE: Be aware, there is NO drop box located at the U.S. Consulate in Amsterdam.
AMERICANS IN NETHERLANDS VOTING RIGHTS
All American citizens living outside the United States, including those here in Netherlands, have the right to vote in U.S. federal elections. The Federal Voting Assistance Program helps citizens get registered with their respective state agency. Remember to do this as soon as possible after arriving in Holland and to pay attention to voting deadlines.
Related information…