Three U.S. astronauts aboard the International Space Station voted in Tuesday's midterm elections, marking a notable instance of Americans participating in the democratic process from orbit.

Anil Menon, Luke Delaney, and Jessica Watkins filled out electronic ballots that were encrypted and transmitted securely through NASA's Near Space Network to election officials on the ground. Menon, who hails from Texas, directed his ballot to Harris County.

Menon posted a video to X showing the process that the U.S. crew members have to use to exercise their privilege. He noted the process allowed them to exercise their civic duty despite their location being more than 400 kilometers above Earth.

Menon arrived at the station on July 14 aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. Delaney and Watkins joined the crew in October on a SpaceX mission. NASA has facilitated voting from space since 1997, with ballots handled through established secure channels.

The electronic voting process requires astronauts to complete their ballots in advance and send them via secure links to their home counties or states. This method mirrors procedures used by military personnel and other overseas voters to ensure timely participation. Election officials on Earth receive the encrypted files and process them according to standard state protocols.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman highlighted the astronauts' participation, posting that they were showing up to vote even off the planet.

The midterm elections are set to determine all 435 House seats, 37 Senate seats, and numerous state and local positions across the country.

The encrypted transmission method ensures ballot integrity, consistent with protocols used for other sensitive data between the station and mission control. This year's voting from space underscores the continued ability of deployed Americans, including those in extreme environments, to participate in federal elections. Officials have noted that the system has operated without reported issues in prior cycles, reinforcing public confidence in the process.

Crew members often balance their voting responsibilities with demanding schedules that include scientific experiments, maintenance tasks, and international cooperation efforts aboard the station. Their participation highlights the broad reach of U.S. electoral rights, extending even to those serving the nation in unique capacities far from home.