As millions of Americans prepare to vote in the 2024 U.S. Election, a select few will cast their ballots from an extraordinary location—250 miles above Earth.

The history of space voting starts in 1996 when astronaut John Blaha couldn’t physically vote in that year’s presidential race between President Bill Clinton and Bob Dole. Blaha was stationed aboard the now-defunct Russian Mir Space Station, a predecessor to the International Space Station.

The crew - including two stuck there after the Boeing Starliner malfunctioned - will beam their votes back to Earth thanks to a high-tech encrypted system.

There are four Americans currently living in space, and each has had the opportunity to add their voice to the more than 160 million other Americans able to participate in the 2024 Presidential election.

Despite being in orbit, American astronauts can vote in the election thanks to a secure space-based voting process. View on euronews

How do astronauts aboard the International Space Station vote? NASA astronauts up in space can vote through an absentee ballot or early voting in coordination with the county clerk's office where they live.

Astronauts stranded on the International Space Station will be able to vote in the US election. The crew - including two stuck there after the Boeing Starliner malfunctioned - will beam their votes back to Earth thanks to a high-tech encrypted system.