NASA astronauts voted in the 2026 midterms from space. Here’s how.
Three NASA astronauts voted in the 2026 midterms from the International Space Station. Here’s how their encrypted ballots made it back to Earth.
On Election Day, three NASA astronauts orbiting Earth cast their votes in the 2026 midterm elections. Anil Menon shared a video on social media showcasing his unique voting setup in the same compartment where he sleeps. Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney also participated in the election from the International Space Station. The astronauts filled out electronic ballots and securely sent them to election officials.
To cast their votes, astronauts first requested an absentee ballot using a Federal Post Card Application. The completed ballots then traveled through NASA's Near Space Network and Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System to a ground antenna in New Mexico. From there, the ballots reached Mission Control in Houston before being delivered to the appropriate county clerk.
This process, which began in 1997 when NASA astronaut David Wolf cast his first vote from orbit, ensures that democracy is not left behind in space.
Written by urgent.news from Mashable's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
