Nearly 300,000 voting-age American citizens reside in the United Kingdom, making it the second largest population of eligible US voters abroad after Canada. Yet, according to estimates by the US government’s Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP), only a small fraction—3.8%—of these Americans living in the UK participated in the 2022 midterm elections.
This low voter turnout contrasts with recent changes in British voting policy. In January 2024, the UK abolished the 15-year limit on overseas voting rights for British and eligible Irish citizens, potentially enfranchising an additional 2.3 million expatriates. This move aligns with longstanding US practice, which generally allows Americans abroad to vote in federal elections regardless of how long they have been outside the country, known as “votes for life.”
Despite these relatively broad overseas voting rights, Americans in the UK have tended to underutilize their voting privileges. The US system includes protections under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, which mandates that states permit eligible overseas voters to register and vote absentee in federal elections. Voters abroad can register and request ballots via the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), though the process requires advance planning to ensure timely receipt and return of ballots.
Concerns over tax obligations may contribute to low participation among US expatriates in the UK. However, federal law clarifies that voting in federal elections—such as for the president, vice president, and members of Congress—does not trigger additional federal tax liabilities. While voting in state or local elections might have some tax implications in certain states, the most consequential midterm contests are federal, allowing overseas voters to engage politically without altering their tax status.
It is US citizenship itself, not voting behavior, that establishes the taxpayer relationship, obligating most US citizens abroad to file federal tax returns regardless of their electoral participation. This dynamic has led to criticism that many US expatriates experience “taxation without representation,” given their limited voting engagement compared to their ongoing fiscal responsibilities.
Efforts in the United States to tighten voting regulations have added complexity to the issue. The Trump administration sought to restrict mail-in voting and introduce proof-of-citizenship requirements, but these measures were blocked by the US Supreme Court and failed to advance in the Senate before its August recess. Meanwhile, outreach organizations such as the US Vote Foundation offer guidance and tools to help overseas voters register and navigate the absentee ballot process.
Given the size of the eligible electorate and the persistent low turnout rates, Americans living abroad—including the substantial population in the UK—represent a largely untapped segment of voters. With streamlined absentee voting processes and legal protections in place, there remains significant potential for increased overseas participation in future federal elections.