As an American citizen born overseas, can I vote?
Voting rights of US citizen children born to Americans while overseas, but having never established residency in the US, vary by state. (Note that there are two bills in Congress right now: H.R. 4273 and H.R. 4173 that propose passing the right to vote across all states to American citizens born overseas to American parents.)
Assuming you are one of these children, it depends if on the laws of the state that your parents are voting in from abroad or back living in now.
Sixteen states, allow these American children who have never lived in the U.S. and/or established U.S. residency to vote. They have effectively passed on the rights given through the Uniformed and Overseas Citizen Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) to the American citizen children of these voters.
These states are listed below - please refer to and follow your state guidelines.
If your state is not on the list below:
Unfortunately if neither of your parents is from one of these states, you may be an American citizen who has no voting rights. Until the legislation in the State where you would vote changes, or until there is a Federal law to change this, it remains as such, with just these few states allowing voting rights to the children of Americans who previously lived in their states. If you, or the parent is not from one of these states, you can try anyway to register using the parent's old US address -- there is no harm in that -- but no guarantee either.
If your parent/s state is on the list below:
Eligible American citizen children vote using the address of their American parent/s; if one parent votes or was resident in one of these states you can vote.
OVF recommends that qualified voters in this category provide explanatory information showing the connection (ties) to their state and include further documented evidence with their applications, if possible. The OVF registration application prompts you for "Additional Information". Use this section to input specifics of your situation. For example:
"I am a U.S. citizen who has never lived in the U.S. My U.S. parent is eligible to vote in [YOUR STATE NAME], and I have used the same voting residence claimed by my U.S. parent who is eligible to vote in [YOUR STATE NAME]."
Arizona
A U.S. citizen who has never resided in the U.S. and whose parent is qualified to vote in Arizona is eligible to register to vote and may vote in Arizona.
Colorado
Colorado allows citizens who have never resided in the U.S. to register and vote. Colorado law defines these citizens as persons who are citizens of the United States, will be eighteen years of age or older on the date of the next election, and have never been a resident of any state but whose parent is eligible to register and vote in Colorado.
Delaware
A US Citizen who was born abroad and who is eligible to vote and who has never lived in the US may register and vote in the county where a parent would be eligible to register and vote (for Federal offices only).
Georgia
If a US citizen outside of the US has never lived in the US and either parent is a qualified Georgia voter then, he or she is eligible to register and vote where his or her parent is a qualified voter.
Hawaii
US citizens who have never resided in the US but have a parent who is eligible to vote in Hawaii are eligible to vote at the same voting residence claimed by their parent (for local, state and Federal office ballots).
Iowa
If a US citizen outside the US has never lived in the US and either parent is a qualified Iowa voter then, that person is eligible to register and vote where his or her parent is a qualified voter.
Massachusetts
US citizens who have never resided in the US but have a parent who is eligible to vote in Massachusetts are eligible to vote at the same voting residence claimed by their parent (for local, state and Federal office ballots).
Michigan
Michigan allows a U.S. overseas citizen who is 18 years old, not registered to vote anywhere else in the U.S. and who is a spouse or dependent of a Michigan resident to register and vote in Michigan elections even though they have never established Michigan residency.
Nebraska
U.S. citizens of voting age who have never resided in the U.S. but have a parent who is eligible to vote in Nebraska, and have not registered to vote in any other state of the U.S., are eligible to register to vote in one county in which either of their parents claimed residence (for local, state and Federal office ballots). The citizen must include with the registration a signed form provided by the Nebraska Election Commissioner or County Clerk.
New York
A US Citizen who was born abroad and who is eligible to vote and who has never lived in the US may register and vote in the country where a parent would be eligible to register and vote (for Federal offices only).
North Dakota
A U.S. citizen who was born abroad and who is eligible to vote and who has never lived in the U.S. may vote in the county where a parent would be eligible to vote (for Federal offices only).
Oklahoma
If a US citizen outside the US has never lived in the US and either parent is a qualified Oklahoma voter then, he or she is eligible to register and vote where his or her parent is a qualified voter.
Rhode Island
If the person is a US Citizen and has never lived in the US but has a parent who is a qualified Rhode Island elector then, this person will be eligible to register and vote in Federal elections.
Tennessee
A US citizen who was born abroad and who is eligible to vote and who has never lived in the US may register temporarily and vote in the county where a parent would be eligible to temporarily register and vote pursuant to this action.
West Virginia
A US citizen who was born abroad and who is eligible to vote and who has never lived in the US may register and vote in the county where either parent would be eligible to register and vote.
Wisconsin
A US Citizen who was born abroad and who is eligible to vote and who has never lived in the US may register and vote in the county where a parent would be eligible to register and vote (for Federal offices only).
