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General FAQs - Federal Voting Assistance Program

General | Military | Overseas Citizens

Frequently asked questions

GENERAL
Can I vote absentee? Generally, all U.S. citizens 18 years or older who are or will be residing outside the United States during an election period are eligible to vote absentee in any election for Federal office. In addition, all members of the Uniformed Services, their family members and members of the Merchant Marine and their family members, who are U.S. citizens, may vote absentee in federal, state and local elections.

How do I apply for an absentee ballot? The Federal Post Card Application (FCPA) is accepted by all states and territories as an application for registration and for absentee ballot. It is postage free when placed in the U.S. mail. You may also send a written request for a ballot to your county, city, town, or parish clerk. The on-line version of the FPCA (OFPCA) is available at the FVAP Web site, www.fvap.gov. It must be completed, printed out, signed, dated, and placed in an envelope affixed with proper postage, and mailed to your local election official. All states and territories, with the exception of American Samoa, Guam and Ohio, accept the OFPCA.

Do I have to be registered to vote absentee? Registration requirements vary from state to state. States and territories allow the citizen to register and request an absentee ballot by submitting a single FPCA during the election year.

Where do I send my FPCA? Chapter 3 of the Guide outlines absentee voting procedures for each state and territory. In your state or territory of legal voting residence under the heading of “Where to Send it” you will find a list of addresses for county and local election officials. These officials may need to contact you for further information. Please provide an email address or fax number of the FPCA.

Must I submit a separate application for each election? In all states and territories, one FPCA will secure for the applicant both primary and general election ballots for federal offices for a calendar year. The Help America Vote Act of October 2002 has extended the effective period of the FPCA through two regularly scheduled general elections for federal office. However, due to the transient nature of many UOCAVA citizens, FVAP continues to recommend that each citizen submit an FPCA to their state of legal residence in January of each year and again each time there is a change in the citizen’s mailing address.

When is the best time to apply for an absentee ballot? Generally, the FPCA used to request only a ballot should be received by election officials at least 45 days before election day to allow ample time to process the request and mail the ballot. If applying for both registration and an absentee ballot, the FPCA may have to be mailed earlier. FVAP recommends submitting the FPCA in January of each year. Consult Chapter 3 of the Guide for further information on state or territorial registration deadlines. Be sure to notify your election official of any change of address.

When should I receive my ballot? Under normal circumstances, most states and territories begin mailing ballots to citizens 30-45 days before an election. If you have not received your ballot two weeks before the election, contact the FVAP Ombudsman Service to assist in determining when your ballot was mailed. Always execute and return your absentee ballot regardless of when you receive it. Court decisions sometimes require the counting of ballots voted by election day, but received late.

What is an election for federal office? An election for federal office is any general, special, runoff, or primary election held solely or in part for the purpose of selecting, nominating, or electing any candidate for the office of president, vice president, presidential elector, member of the U.S. Senate, member of the U.S. House of Representatives, delegates from the District of Columbia, Guam, Virgin Islands, and American Samoa, and Resident Commissioner of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.