October 2019

Absentee Voting 

Eligibility for You 

and Your Family

As the family member of a 

Uniformed Service member, your 

absentee voting rights are covered. 

This means if you live outside your 

voting jurisdiction, you can vote 

absentee in all federal elections. 

Rules are different for spouses 

and eligible family members; the 

Military Spouse Residency Relief 

Act (MSRRA) covers spouses, but 

voting-age dependents should 

check with the state in which they 

plan to register, as state rules vary.

FVAP encourages military voters 

and their eligible family members 

to submit a new Federal Post Card 

Application (FPCA) every year, with 

every change of address and at 

least 90 days before the election 

you want to vote in. Steps for 

submitting an FPCA and requesting 

your ballot can be found on the 

back of this sheet. 

FVAP.gov provides additional 

resources to make voting 

absentee easy.

and Eligible Family Members

Military Spouses

Share this information!

As a military spouse, you have access to a 

close network of other military members 

and spouses. Help us make sure that 

everyone has the opportunity to vote! 

Tell them about FVAP.gov and the steps 

to take in order to vote absentee.

Transitioning or Relocating? 

As a military spouse, we understand you are extremely 

mobile. It is important to provide your election office 

with your new address after every move. The address 

you provide is their only way to contact you at your 

new home. You can use the FPCA at FVAP.gov to 

update your address with your election official.

Wherever U.S. citizens go, 

FVAP ensures their voices are 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.
The amendment made on Dec. 31, 2018 to the Military 

Spouse Residency Relief Act (MSRRA) allows you 

to retain the same residence or domicile that your 

Service member has established, even if you have not 

physically been present at that address. If you choose, 

you may instead elect to retain your established 

residency or domicile (if different from your sponsor). 

MSRRA still does not permit you to choose any state; 

you or your Service member must have established 

residency in a state. Ways to do this may include 

voting, paying taxes, owning property, holding a 

driver’s license, and registering a vehicle. Residency 

requirements vary by state. Please consult legal 

counsel to discuss tax implications and other effects 

of MSRRA. As a military spouse, you can:

1) Retain your sponsor’s or Service member’s residency 

or domicile;

2) Keep your current, established residency or domicile 

(separate from your sponsor); or

3) Take the appropriate steps to establish a new 

residency or domicile.

Some children turn 18 while their family is stationed 

overseas. To vote, they should use the last U.S. address 

they had before departing to the current duty station.

Determining Your Voting Residence

October 2019

FVAP.gov 800-438-VOTE (8683) vote@fvap.gov

VISIT CALL EMAIL

CONNECT WITH US

Search for FVAP

Monday-Friday. 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET | Go to FVAP.gov and click on “contact” to find where to send your election materials. Media inquiries: media@fvap.gov

DSN: 425-1584

How to vote 

from wherever you are.

If your ballot doesn’t make it to you on time, you can 

fill out the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) at 

FVAP.gov. Print, sign, and send it to your election office.

After you send your ballot, you can check if it was received 

by your election office. Get started at FVAP.gov.

Fill out and send 

in your ballot 

when it arrives.

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Fill out and send 

in the Federal Post 

Card Application 

(FPCA) to register 

to vote and request 

your ballot.

FPCA

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