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	        			Voting assistance for Service members,	        			their families and overseas citizens		        

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          - Navigate to the home page  military-voter  overview   ShareLink to FVAP.gov on FacebookLink to FVAP.gov on TwitterLink to FVAP.gov on Linked InE-Mail FVAP.gov   HomeMilitary Voters-  How to Vote Absentee 
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How to Vote Absentee in the Military
As a Service member, you can vote absentee while living away from your voting residence.

Here's how:
1. Register to vote and request your ballot in one easy step.
Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) and send it to your election office.

Check your voter registration deadline for the next election based on your state. For the General Election, it's best to send in the FPCA by August 1.

Your voting residence (the U.S. state or territory where you are registering to vote) is likely your legal residence. Here's how to determine your voting residence.

Using the FPCA ensures that your state will send your ballot to you at least 45 days before the election — a protection not guaranteed when using other forms. It's a good idea to send in a new FPCA every January and each time you move.
            
 

 

 
2. Fill out and send in your ballot when it arrives.
For the General Election, you should receive your ballot by early October.

Vote and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it. Check the deadline for your ballot based on your state. MPS also has recommended mailing dates. The recommended vote-by days for the 2022 Midterm Election are:

 

If you requested your ballot but haven't received it, contact your election office to ask about the status of your ballot request.

If there isn't enough time to receive and send back your ballot before the election, use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB).

It works like a backup ballot. If your official absentee ballot arrives after sending in the FWAB, fill out and send in the official ballot too. Only one will be counted.

After you send in your ballot, you can check if it was received by your election office.
 Don't miss a deadline!
 

 
Looking for more?** **
Get in-person voting assistance from your Service and Voting Assistance Officers.

Find voting information specific to military spouses and families. 

Determine your voting residence for registering to vote absentee. 

Browse outreach and informational materials.

Make sure you're ready to vote when separating from active duty and transitioning back to civilian life.

Get tools for sending forms by mail, email or fax — like postage-paid envelopes and cover sheets.

Other Resources: State/Territory Election Websites, State Voter Registration Verification Websites, Overseas Citizen Groups Websites, Federal Government Websites,Other Election-related Websites

 

  

 

 
   Military Voter- How to Vote Absentee
- Service Voting Assistance
- Military Spouses and Families
- Separating from Active Duty
- Voting Residence
-  Voting Assistance Guide 
-  FAQs 
-  Contact 
Overseas Citizen Voter- How to Vote Absentee
- Never Resided in the U.S.
- Voting Residence
-  Voting Assistance Guide 
-  FAQs 
-  Contact 
Voting Assistance Officers- How to Be a VAO
- Training
- Materials
- Directives and Guidance
- Continuity Folder
- Voting Emphasis Weeks
- Service Voting Action Officers
- Military Recruiter Info
- VAO of the Quarter 
-  Voting Assistance Guide 
-  FAQs 
-  Contact 
Election Officials- Serving UOCAVA Voters
- Training
- UOCAVA Undue Hardship Waivers
- Grant Programs
- Policy Briefs
- Policy Letters
-  FAQs 
-  Contact 
General Information- About FVAP
- About Absentee Voting
- About the Laws
- Reports and Surveys
- News
- Outreach Materials
- Contact
- Interactive Data Center
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