Three NASA Astronauts Vote From ISS in 2026 Midterms

Three NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station cast electronic ballots in the November 3, 2026, U.S. midterm elections, astronaut Anil Menon said in a post on X. Menon shared a video showing how he completed his ballot from orbit, while reporting that Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney voted as well. Menon used a computer in his sleeping compartment to fill out and submit an electronic ballot to Harris County, Texas. The county is home to NASA’s Johnson Space Center and Mission Control. A video account also showed Menon’s setup and reported that Watkins and Delaney voted from the station. Menon said the three crew members filled out electronic ballots and sent them securely to election officials. NASA explains that ballots are encrypted and transmitted through the agency’s communications infrastructure to election officials. The route described by NASA includes relay satellites, ground facilities and Mission Control. The system’s security details are based on NASA’s explanation; the reports do not independently establish whether each ballot was received or accepted. Astronauts may request an absentee ballot using a Federal Post Card Application, according to NASA....