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My fellow Americans in Germany,
Since last week a scandal involving a German politician has linked Germany’s domestic politics and the US in an unusual way.
Germany’s interest in the US, at least on the political level, is often focused on big-picture international issues – like trade tariffs, energy politics and conflicts.
But since it was revealed that a leading German conservative politician hired a surrogate mother in the US, suddenly the US’s policies on surrogacy are a big talking point.
In case you missed it, the chairman of the Christian Democrats (CDU) parliamentary group, Jens Spahn, casually announced last week that he and his husband were now proud fathers via surrogacy.
The problem is that surrogacy is strictly prohibited in Germany. And while having a child through surrogacy abroad, and then bringing that child back to Germany, is not technically illegal, it sure looks bad when the leader of the party that has fought hard to keep surrogacy illegal in Germany does so.
Spahn has since announced his resignation, and looks set to be replaced within the coming week.
Of course, as an American in Germany, you don’t get much say in the representatives that govern your life in Deutschland – that is unless you achieve German citizenship.
You can, however, still have a say in your representation back home in the US. So, with consequential mid-term elections coming in November, here’s a look at how you can vote in the US from abroad.
How to vote in the US from Germany
US citizens, who meet voter eligibility requirements in their home state, can vote in US elections from anywhere in the world. This right has been enshrined in US law since 1986 under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.
But, according to a survey by the non-partisan non-profit US Voters Abroad, only around 11 percent of US voters abroad cast a ballot in the 2024 federal election. The same survey suggests that about half of US voters abroad said they wanted to vote, but faced obstacles in doing so.
Which is why if you do want to vote in the coming mid-terms, you’d be advised to start the process early (right now, even).
The rules for voting from abroad are the same for Americans in Germany or anywhere else, but the process can be a bit different depending on which state you come from. They boil down to three basic steps: request your ballot, receive your ballot and mark your vote, and finally return your ballot to the right US authority.
An easy way to get started is by requesting your ballot via this form from US Voters Abroad. The form takes about five minutes, and you’ll need your US driver’s licence or official ID as well as the last four digits of your social security number. It also asks for your last US address, and your current German address.
Once you’re registered there you’ll receive further instructions for completing your registration, receiving your ballot and then returning it. To expedite the process, it's often recommended to receive your ballot electronically.
Note that rules around voting, such as when ballots need to be received to be counted, vary from state to state. You can find more information about navigating the process in this explainer, which we published ahead of the last federal elections in 2024.
Once your registration is completed, you can expect to receive a blank ballot at least 45 days before the coming election.
Some states allow voters to return their ballots electronically.
Otherwise you'll need to print out your ballot and mail it to your local election office in the US, or hand it off to your nearest US embassy or consulate.
EXPLAINED: How US consulates help American citizens living in Germany
‘You represent us’
Speaking of representation, one of our American readers responded to our recent readers' survey with a bit of wisdom worth sharing.
“You are a far more accurate representation of the US people than any news program or internet source,” says CD Wolf, 49, who lives in Baden Württemberg.
It’s a good reminder to keep top of mind, especially given the US’s role in the international news cycle as of late.
Asked for his "essential advice" for Americans in Germany, Wolf said it's important to remember that “different” and “bad” are not the same thing:
“Don’t always think because [something is] different, that means it’s bad. This is a very easy trap to fall into, and become negative about everything.
“When things are done differently it makes them more difficult to navigate…That doesn’t mean you can’t learn the new way of doing it.
“And it always helps to ask when you don’t know. Germans love to explain!”
Do you have any other suggestions or questions? We'd love to hear from you via our ongoing Americans in Germany survey.
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