Wherever U.S. citizens go, 

FVAP ensures their voice is heard.

The Federal Voting Assistance Program 

(FVAP) works to ensure Service 

members, their eligible family members 

and overseas citizens are aware of their 

right to vote and have the tools and 

resources to successfully do so — from 

anywhere in the world.

FACT SHEET

Separating from

Active Duty?

Don’t let your vote get lost in 

transition! Notify your local election 

official of your change in status 

and that you will be voting locally 

in future elections. Steps can be 

found on the back of this sheet.

Local election official contact 

information can be found at FVAP.

gov. Once you have alerted 

your election official, you should 

complete a National Voter 

Registration Form to register 

as a civilian in your new voting 

jurisdiction. 

Still on 

Active Duty?

Separating from Active Duty

Voter Assistance

Moving Abroad

After Separation?

While on active duty, you are covered by The 

Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting 

Act; commonly referred to as UOCAVA. UOCAVA 

citizens are active members of the Uniformed 

Services, the Merchant Marine, their family members 

and U.S. citizens residing outside the United States. 

This Act provides the legal basis for absentee voting 

requirements for these citizens.

If you will be moving abroad after separating from 

the military, you will remain a UOCAVA voter. You 

should submit a new Federal Post Card Application 

(FPCA) with your updated mailing address and new 

classification selection. The FPCA can be found at 

FVAP.gov. Your voting residence address in the U.S. 

will remain the same.
Notify Your

Local Election Official

Contact

Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Phone: 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) I DSN: 425-1584 I Email: vote@fvap.gov

Go to fvap.gov and click on “contact” to find where to send your election materials. Media inquiries: media@fvap

Facebook.com/DoDFVAP and Twitter @FVAP

As you transition back to civilian life, you will no longer 

be covered by the UOCAVA. You and your voting-age 

family members should notify your local election official 

of your change in voter registration status and update 

your information to vote locally. You may do this in 

either one or two easy steps:

If you have voted absentee or locally and are staying

in the same voting residence after separation: 

Step 1: Notify your election official of your 

change in status and that you will be voting 

at the poll site in future elections. FVAP.gov 

provides a sample letter for your convenience.

If you voted absentee or locally at the polls and are 

moving to a new State or county after separation:

Step 1: Notify your election official of your 

change in status and that you will no longer be 

voting in that jurisdiction. FVAP.gov provides a 

sample letter for your convenience.

Step 2: Complete a National Voter Registration 

Form to register as a civilian.

*Additional information about registering to vote locally

can be found on the State-specific election websites

available at FVAP.gov/links.

National Voter Registration Form

VOTER’S P/A

FORM

The National Mail Voter Registration Form can be used to register U.S. citizens to 

vote, to update registration information due to a change of name, make a change 

of address or to register with a political party. You must follow the state-specific 

instructions listed for your state. They begin on page 3 of the form and are listed 

alphabetically by state. After filling out this form, you must sign your name where 

indicated and send it to your state or local election office for processing. Be sure 

you mail it in an envelope with the proper amount of postage.

Need Assistance?

Your Voting Assistance Officer (VAO) can help! Your Unit 

VAO can help you fill in and mail your voting materials if you 

need the assistance. You can find contact information for your 

Installation Voter Assistance Office at: 

www.fvap.gov/info/contact