Absentee Ballot Request for US-based and Overseas Voters Abroad, Election Dates / Deadlines, and How to Vote in your State

How do elections work in the United States?

Until recently, the answer was mostly, “according to state law—and state laws vary.”

While true, that wasn’t much help to journalists, policymakers or the voting public—and that answer focused on differences, not commonalities.

Now, Helping America Vote: Election Administration in the U.S., a new publication from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) and the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), gives a more complete answer, acknowledging differences while following the through-line all states follow.

Four lessons into our Civics Crash Course, let’s pause to measure your mastery of your civics sessions to date. Or - if you’re jumping in for summer school - take this quiz and see which topics you need to catch up on.

Start by answering 4 multiple choice questions. Then, self-assess using our Civics Mastery Scale. Take a look at the corresponding crash course lessons to read up on any answers you missed or to deepen your understanding

Share this quiz with others to challenge them to brush up on their knowledge of the U.S. government.

We are writing on behalf of U.S. Vote Foundation (www.usvotefoundation.org) and our Overseas Vote initiative (www.overseasvotefoundation.org) to urge your continued attention to the voting rights of U.S. citizens living abroad and members of the Uniformed Services and their families.

The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) is a cornerstone of inclusive democratic participation — however, its promise is constrained by low participation and persistent misunderstandings.

U.S. Vote Foundation calls on the Committee to take up the next generation of UOCAVA reforms — reforms that build on the program’s success to increase voter participation.