May an International Student Volunteer in a U.S. Election?

Non-U.S. Citizens are NOT eligible to vote in any U.S. election.

We do receive questions from international students asking if they are able to volunteer with political campaigns and related activities.

The U.S. Federal Election Committee (FEC) provides the following guidance to foreign nationals: https://www.fec.gov/updates/foreign-nationals/

We encourage students with questions in this area to read the full guidance provided at the link above, which includes the following:

• Federal law prohibits contributions, donations, expenditures (including independent expenditures) and disbursements solicited, directed, received or made directly or indirectly by or from non-citizens in connection with any federal, state or local election. (https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/foreign-nationals/)
• Non-citizens may participate in campaign activities as an uncompensated volunteer (https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/candidate-taking-receipts/volunteer-activity/)

For additional information or specific questions before participating in any election activity, please contact the Federal Election Commission directly (https://www.fec.gov/contact/).