Flag

An official website of the United States government

Message to U.S. Citizens – Get Your Ballots in ASAP! 
15 MINUTE READ
October 14, 2020

I Voted button

There are only a few weeks remaining before the elections, so if you want to make your vote count, you need to act immediately.  If you plan to send your ballot to the United States via the U.S. Embassy’s diplomatic pouch, we urge you to submit your sealed ballot as soon as possible.  We will continue to accept all ballots received, but cannot guarantee that your ballot will arrive on time.

In our experience, it takes roughly four weeks to get your ballot from the Embassy in Kuala Lumpur to various states in the United States.  You can check your state’s guidance regarding ballot deadlineshere.   

If your state’s deadline indicates that your ballot may not arrive on time if mailed through the Embassy, you have several options.  You can:

1) Check here to see if your state will accept ballots by fax or email in addition to regular mail; 

2) Drop your ballot at the Embassy with the understanding that it might arrive late; or

3) Send your ballot through a commercial courier company.

If you would like to speak with one of our Voting Officers, please email KLACS@State.gov and leave your phone number; we will reach out to you as soon as possible.

RETURNING YOUR BALLOT TO THE EMBASSY DURING THE CMCO:
If you wish to drop off your ballot, or have a friend or colleague drop it off for you, place it in either a U.S. postage-paid envelope (provided with the ballot) or an envelope bearing domestic U.S. postage addressed to your local election officials.  There are several ways you can deliver your ballot to U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur:

1) Drop your ballot in the sealed, postage-paid envelope in the ballot box outside the front entrance of U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur (located at 376 Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur) on any business day between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. (please note our holiday schedule for days when we are closed);        

2) Hand your ballot in the sealed, postage-paid envelope to an Embassy staff member in the American Citizen Services Unit during your appointment for another consular service; or   

3) Mail your ballot, in an outer envelope containing the sealed, postage-paid ballot envelope, through local mail, to the U.S. Embassy at the following address:

Attn: Consular Section, Voting Assistance Officer
376 Jalan Tun Razak
50400 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Please note that the Royal Malaysian Police have advised that travelers from outside Kuala Lumpur will NOT be permitted to enter Kuala Lumpur during the CMCO for the sole purpose of obtaining Consular Services at the U.S. Embassy. Further questions on this policy should be directed to your local police. 

Please note that all visitors to the Embassy are subject to security screening and you will not be permitted to bring electronic devices, including cell phones, inside the facility.  

Missed the U.S. Embassy recommended shipment deadline?  Consider returning your ballot to the United States via a commercial express courier service such as FedEx, UPS, or DHL or return your voted ballot electronically if allowed by your state.  Ballots sent to local election officials via express courier service do not receive standard postmarks, so voters using this method should confirm delivery on or before November 3 prior to payment and shipment.  Check your state’s voting procedures at www.FVAP.gov for guidance.    

Returning your Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot by email or fax.  Review your state’s voting procedures at www.FVAP.gov carefully for guidance.    

Need help? You can get assistance from our Embassy Voting Assistance Officers by contacting KLACS@State.gov.  You can also contact the Federal Voting Assistance Program directly if you encounter issues with local election officials by emailing VOTE@FVAP.gov or toll free by phone from many countries around the world.  

Confirm your registration and ballot delivery online. Learn more at the Federal Voting Assistance Program’s (FVAP) website at www.FVAP.gov.