How to Vote in the 2026 US Midterms From the Netherlands

Election offices across the U.S. are mailing ballots to citizens living abroad. If you currently live in the Netherlands and want to vote on November 3, now is your chance. If you’re even a little late on an important form, you will not be able to vote in this election.

It only takes ten minutes to vote. The good news? You can do all of this from your Dutch sofa. We have the important details and deadlines you will need.

What Will You Be Voting for in November?

First, the basics. Any US citizen aged 18 or older can vote from the Netherlands. You vote by mail or online because you won’t be there in person. Absentee voting always includes federal races, and some states also let you vote in state and local races.

The midterm elections are on November 3, 2026. In these elections, voters choose every representative in the House of Representatives, and one-third of Senate seats are up for election as well. Dozens of gubernatorial elections will happen too. As a result, the election will decide who controls Congress for the next two years.

Your vote will be sent to the last state you lived in in the U.S. Since midterm turnout is much lower, the races are overall more competitive.

One Form Does Almost Everything

The Federal Post Card Application, or FPCA, is one form that does almost everything. It signs you up to vote and asks for your absentee ballot, all in one step.

Fill out the FPCA on the FVAP website. That’s the official government Federal Voting Assistance Program site. Depending on your state, you can send it by mail, email, or fax. Seriously, faxing is still used in some parts of America. 1997 is calling back.

Stuck on the form? The US Embassy in the Netherlands keeps copies of the FPCA and can walk you through your state’s rules.

Two habits will keep you safe. The registrations don’t always carry over, so you need to send a new FPCA every January. Also, send a new FPCA whenever you move or your name, address, or email changes. If you haven’t sent a new FPCA in 2026, send it now.

Read Also: Are Expats Allowed to Vote in the Netherlands?

Your Ballot May Already Be on Its Way

Most people miss this, but states have to send ballots to overseas voters at least 45 days before the election. For November 3, that means ballots go out by September 19, which is this weekend. Voting in a primary, special, or run-off election instead? Those ballots usually go out about 30 days before.

Overseas voters usually get their ballot by email or a download link, but some states still mail a paper ballot. Check your email, then your spam folder. To make sure your registration worked, write, email, or call your local election office. Do this before your state’s deadline, usually up to 30 days before the election.

Four Ways to Send Your Ballot Back

Here are four options for submitting your ballot:

• Mail: Regular mail works fine; give PostNL and USPS a few weeks to deliver.
• U.S. Embassy: The embassy at John Adams Park 1 in Wassenaar has a ballot box and can send you a sealed ballot. You need to seal your ballot and put US postage or a prepaid envelope on it. Check the embassy’s site for the latest drop-off instructions before you visit.
• Electronic return: Some states let you send ballots by email, fax, or by uploading your ballot to their site. The FVAP state guide will tell you if that’s your state.
• Courier: Courier services cost the most but save the most time. DHL and FedEx will get your ballot to the states faster than regular mail.

Whichever option you choose, act before your state’s final deadline. Any late ballots are treated as if they were never sent.

What if You Don’t Receive a Ballot in Early October?

You can send your vote with the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) as a backup. If you registered but don’t have a ballot 30 days before the election, fill one out on the FVAP website and send it as your vote. You can also contact the voting help officer at the US embassy for help getting one.

Then, if your official ballot arrives, fill it out and mail it too. Your FWAB only counts if your real ballot doesn’t arrive in time, so there’s no risk of voting twice.

The Other Paperwork That Follows You

One more thing to know while you have your American paperwork out. The US taxes its citizens no matter where they live, so most Americans in the Netherlands still need to file a US tax return every year, even from here. Our expat US tax guide covers the basics. If you’d rather use a specialist, Taxbrella prepares and files US returns for Americans in the Netherlands, including catch-up filing if you are behind.

Your 10-Minute Action Plan for This Week

• If you didn’t send a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) in 2026, do it today using the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) site.
• Starting on September 19, check your email and spam folders for your ballot.
• Use the FVAP guide to find your state’s ballot deadline, and set a calendar reminder.
• Fill out your ballot the same day you get it, and send it back the same week.
• If you don’t have a ballot by early October, send the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) backup ballot.

Voting from abroad used to be a hope-filled task which required forms and stamps. Now you can do it all online in less than 10 minutes, and it keeps your voice alive back home. Not bad for one Dutch afternoon.