If you are a United States uniformed services member on active duty, a Merchant Marine member, spouse or dependent thereof, or a United States citizen residing outside of the country, you can register to vote and request a vote-by-mail ballot by using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA).
With the FPCA, you can select how you want your ballot delivered: forwardable mail, fax, or email.
You can also request a Vote-by-Mail ballot just like any other voter. Check out our Vote-by-Mail page to learn more.
Delivery of Vote-by-Mail Ballots
Vote-by-mail ballots are mailed to military and overseas citizens no later than 45 days before each election. You can ask to have your vote-by-mail ballot either faxed or emailed to you instead of receiving it by regular mail. If you include an email address with your vote-by-mail ballot request, we will notify you by email that your request has been received. We will also provide you the estimated date your ballot will be sent, and let you know when we receive your voted ballot.
Completing and Returning Your Vote-by-Mail Ballot
You will receive detailed instructions with your ballot. Be sure to sign the certificate on the envelope. Ballots without a signature or with a non-matching signature may not be counted. If there is an issue, we will attempt to contact you and give you an opportunity to resolve it.
Ballot Return Options
Send your ballot as early as possible to allow time for postal delivery before the deadline.
Delivery Service
Place your ballot and signed certificate in a separate envelope and send via USPS Priority Mail, FedEx, UPS, or another carrier.
Fax (Overseas voters only)
Civilian and military voters located overseas may return their ballot and signed certificate by fax. Instructions will be included with your ballot. (This option is not available to domestic military voters.)
Ballot Return Deadline
In most cases, your ballot must be received by our office no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day. However, a 10-day return extension is available for overseas voters (civilian and military) during certain elections. Please note: This extension does not apply to domestic military voters.
The 10-day extension applies to the following election types:
- Presidential Preference Primary
- General Elections
- Special Elections (Primary and General)
To qualify, your ballot must be postmarked or dated by Election Day and received within 10 days after Election Day.
Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB)
If you have not received your ballot two weeks before the election, contact us. If it is getting close to Election Day and you still have not received your vote-by-mail ballot, you can still vote for any federal office and state and local elections involving two or more candidates by using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). For more information about the FPCA or FWAB, visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program website.
Extended Voter Registration Deadline
In most cases, you must register to vote at least 29 days before an election. However, an extended deadline may apply if you, or an accompanying family member, fall into one of the following categories:
- You were discharged or separated from the uniformed services or the U.S. Merchant
Marine - You returned from a military deployment or activation
- You separated from employment outside the territorial limits of the United States
Under these circumstances, you may register until 5 p.m. on the Friday before Election Day.
If you believe you qualify, please contact us. We’re here to assist you.
Useful Links
Visit our Vote-By-Mail page to track the status of your vote-by-mail ballot.
Please fax your completed forms to (407) 254-6577.