The Pentagon changed the forms many Americans abroad use to vote absentee, and the new version drops U.S. citizens living overseas who have never lived in the U.S., NPR reports. Republicans have pushed to block that group from voting. Their eligibility comes from state law, not the federal form: about three dozen states plus D.C. let them vote absentee using a parent's U.S. address (NPR; Election Assistance Commission). The Pentagon's voting-assistance office says states can still process the old forms.
What we’re less sure of1 of 4 claims
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The changes were made late, close to the November 3, 2026 general election.
'Late' is NPR's characterization. The dates support it: the emergency revision went to OMB in August 2026, the new form became official around Sept. 1, and states must mail UOCAVA ballots 45 days before the election (about Sept. 19). The OMB approval date conflicts across sources: omb.report says Au