Every American living abroad has the right to vote in federal elections, yet every cycle, a meaningful number of ballots never make it home, not from apathy, but from a form that arrived late, a lost ballot, or simply not knowing a backup option existed.
Ada Shen from votefromabroad.org, who has spent over two decades helping Americans overseas register, request, and return a ballot, joins the podcast for a fully nonpartisan, procedural walkthrough of how voting from abroad actually works.
──────────────────────────────────────────
CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS
──────────────────────────────────────────
00:00 - Yes, Americans abroad can vote, and here's what's actually on the ballot
01:32 - The one form that registers you, requests your ballot, and updates your info
04:43 - Why "last resided" isn't a choice, it's a rule
09:27 - Getting your ballot by email, and the deadlines that matter this cycle
15:07 - The backup ballot almost nobody knows they can use
25:14 - Clearing up the biggest misconception: voting and taxes are separate
──────────────────────────────────────────
ABOUT THE GUEST
──────────────────────────────────────────
Ada Shen has spent over two decades helping Americans overseas navigate voter registration and absentee voting through VoteFromAbroad.org, guiding voters through registration, ballot requests, and the specific rules that apply to citizens living outside the United States.
──────────────────────────────────────────
ABOUT YOUR HOST
──────────────────────────────────────────
Arielle Tucker, CFP® & IRS Enrolled Agent with Connected Financial Planning, is a cross-border financial planner based in Switzerland helping Americans living abroad navigate U.S. taxes, international investments, and cross-border financial planning.
──────────────────────────────────────────
LOVE THIS EPISODE?
──────────────────────────────────────────
Follow the show and leave a rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, it's the single biggest thing you can do to help other cross-border families find this show.
──────────────────────────────────────────
ABOUT PASSPORT TO WEALTH®
──────────────────────────────────────────
Passport To Wealth® is the platform for current and aspiring US expats. We connect globally mobile Americans with vetted, licensed cross-border financial advisors, tax professionals, and relocation experts who understand the financial and legal complexities of life abroad.
──────────────────────────────────────────
LINKS & RESOURCES
──────────────────────────────────────────
Website: https://www.passporttowealth.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passporttowealthofficial
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/passport-to-wealth
Visit VoteFromAbroad.org: https://www.votefromabroad.org
──────────────────────────────────────────
This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Individual circumstances vary. Consult a qualified cross-border financial professional before making any financial or tax decisions.
──────────────────────────────────────────
Mentioned in this episode:
Order "The Expat Money Playbook"
Passport to Wealth is a proud member of the SwissCast Network
Discover more podcasts for English-speaking Switzerland
SwissCast Network
Click here to subscribe to our newsletter
Order "The Expat Money Playbook"
Find your cross-border expert on the Passport To Wealth® directory
