1-800-438 VOTE | www.fvap.gov | vote@fvap.gov
Federal Voting Assistance Program

Army

Voting Action Officer Ms. Rachel Gillman

Mailing Address US Army Resources Command

Attn: HRC-PDP-P (2-1-021)

1600 Spearhead Division Ave.

TAG-D, Soldiers Programs Branch

Department 480 

Ft. Knox, Ky. 40122

Phone 502-613-8475

DSN: 312-983-8475

Email USArmy.knox.hrc.mbx.tagd-voting-questions@

mail.mil

Website https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/Army%20Voting

Air Force

Voting Action Officer Carl Buchanan

Mailing Address H1040 - Air Force Pentagon

AF/A1SAA

Washington, DC 20330

Phone 703-697-5107

Email vote.USAF@us.af.mil

Website https://www.afpc.af.mil/Benefits-and-Entitlements/

Voting/

 

Coast Guard

Voting Action Officer Keirsten Current

Mailing Address CG Personnel Service Center

2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE

Washington, DC 20593-7200

Phone 202-795-6408

Email Keirsten.e.current2@uscg.mil

Website https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/PSD/fs/CG-FederalVoting-Assistance/

Navy

Voting Action Officer LT Coulter Lindekeheavenrich

Mailing Address ATTN: Navy Voting Program 

Commander, Navy Installations Command 

716 Sicard Street SE 

Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374-5140

Phone 202-433-4000

DSN: 288-4000 

Email vote@navy.mil

Website https://www.cnic.navy.mil/ffr/fleet_readiness/

special_interest_programs/navy_voting_

assistance_program.html

Marine Corps

Voting Action Officer Mr. Brian Mitchell

Mailing Address Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps (MFP-4)

 Attn: Service Voting Action Officer

2008 Elliot Road, Suite 149

Quantico, VA 22134-5103

Phone 703 784-9511

DSN: 278-9511

Email vote@usmc.mil

Website https://www.manpower.usmc.mil/webcenter/

portal/MF_MPS/pages_voting

Department of State

Voting Action Officer Ms. Kim Richter

Mailing Address CA/OCS/ACS-SA-17

Department of State

2201 C Street NW

Washington, DC 20520-2818

Phone 202-485-6067

Email votinginfo@state.gov

Website https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/

abroad/legal-matters/benefits/voting.html

Service and Department of State Voting Action Officers

Please contact your Voting Assistance Officer. If you are unable to obtain information locally, contact the Voting Action Officer below.

Mailing 

Address

Director, Federal Voting Assistance 

Program

Department of Defense

4800 Mark Center Dr.

Suite 05E22

Alexandria, VA 22350

Do not send registration and absentee ballot 

request forms to this address. Refer to State 

instructions in Chapter 2 and find “Local Election 

Office Addresses.”

Website FVAP.gov

Email vote@fvap.gov

Phone 703-588-1584

DSN: 425-1584

Fax 703-696-1352

DSN: 426-1352

Toll-free Phone: 1-800-438-VOTE (8683)

Fax: 1-800-368-8683

From the U.S., Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico or the 

Virgin Islands only. For International toll-free phone 

and fax numbers see the inside back cover or 

FVAP.gov.

Follow us on Facebook (/DoDFVAP), Twitter (@FVAP) and LinkedIn! Links available on FVAP.gov.

Contact Information
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Contents 

Chapter 1 

Introduction 6

A | Overview 6

B | Relevant Legislation, Directives, and Memoranda 7

C | Implications for the Establishment of the Installation Voter Assistance Office 7

Summary of Installation Voter Assistance Office Requirements 9

Chapter 2 

Installation Voter Assistance Office Operations 10

A | Establishing an Installation Voter Assistance Office 10

B | Responsibilities of the Installation Voter Assistance Office 13

Summary of Installation Voter Assistance Office Operations 16

Chapter 3 

Assisting Voters 18

Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) 19

The Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) 27

National Mail Voter Registration Form (NVRF) 29

Summary of Voter Assistance 34

Appendix A 

Directives & Legislation 35

Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 1000.04 35

Section 583 (b) of Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act 36

Section 583 (b) of Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act 37

Section 7 of National Voter Registration Act 38
 | 5

Appendix B 

Job Aids & Handouts 42

2013 Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) Quick Reference Guide 43

2018 Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) Quick Reference Guide 45

National Mail Voter Registration Form (NVRF) Quick Reference Guide 47

FAQs – Installation Voter Assistance Office 49

FAQs – Voters 52

Appendix C 

Appendix C: Checklists 55

Checklist – Establishment of an Installation Voter Assistance Office 55

Checklist – Installation Voter Assistance Office Operations 56

Checklist – Installation Voter Assistance Office Continuity Folder 56
Introduction

1 

Introduction

A | Overview

In recognition of the importance for citizens to be able to vote and in response to recent legislative changes, 

the Department of Defense (DoD) issued new guidance on the implementation of Installation Voter Assistance 

Offices. This guidance aims to permanently establish voter assistance offices on military installations to provide 

year-round voting assistance to U.S. citizens with access to these offices.

This guidance adds to the existing directive previously provided by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens 

Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) of 1986. The UOCAVA helps to ensure the voting rights for more than six million 

active duty uniformed service members, their families, and overseas civilians. One of the actions was to create 

the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) to administer the responsibilities of UOCAVA. The mission of 

FVAP is to:

> Inform and educate U.S. citizens worldwide of their right to vote

> Administer UOCAVA effectively and efficiently

> Foster voting participation

> Protect the integrity of, and enhance the electoral process at the Federal, 

State, and Local levels for military and overseas voters

FVAP has developed this handbook to help the Services establish Installation Voter Assistance Offices. Their 

establishment requires adherence to specific guidelines to set up the office, as well as additional responsibilities 

to staff the office. This handbook serves to provide assistance to create the Installation Voter Assistance Office, 

guide the operation of the office, and instruct on the additional responsibilities.

Chapter 1 // background information and changes in legislation and DoD guidance

Chapter 2 // creating and running the installation voter assistance office

Chapter 3 // registering U.S. citizens to vote

Appendix A // copies of the relevant legislation and DoD Directives

Appendix B // important installation voter assistance office resources and job aids

Appendix C // installation voter assistance office checklists
 | 7

Introduction

B | Relevant Legislation, Directives, and Memoranda

The MOVE Act and DoD Guidance

In 2009, Congress passed the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act to improve the process 

by which uniformed service members, their families, and overseas voters are able to register and cast their 

ballots. The MOVE Act approaches the situation from two directions: 1) mandates the provisions by which 

States accept and deliver voting materials and 2) improves access to voter registration. Sections of the MOVE 

Act have been incorporated into the Uniformed and Overseas Citizen Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA).

> State Requirements. For uniformed service members, their families, and overseas 

voters, all States are required to accept at least one mode of electronic transmission 

for voter registration and absentee ballot information and must establish procedures 

to transmit blank absentee ballots electronically. Further, States must now ensure 

that absentee ballots are transmitted to voters at least 45 days before an election, 

provided that the request for the ballot was made prior to that time period.1

> Military Requirements. To improve voter registration reliability, the UOCAVA specifies the 

establishment of voter assistance offices on military installations and outlines the responsibilities 

of the offices. The recommendations made in the MOVE Act have been adopted by the DoD and 

has been integrated as part of DoD Instruction 1000.04. Due to the significance of their impact, 

it is worthwhile to discuss the important changes and requirements specified by the UOCAVA 

and implemented by DoD. The relevant section of the MOVE Act is included in Appendix A.

• Establishment of Installation Voter Assistance Offices on Military Installations 

The MOVE Act specifies that an Installation Voter Assistance Office be established to 

provide absent uniformed service voters and their family members with aid in votingrelated matters. The MOVE Act specifies both the type of aid and the individuals covered. 

Information and assistance must be provided, both in writing as well as individually, on voter 

registration and absentee ballot procedures, including how to update voter information.

• Designation of Installation Voter Assistance Offices as Voter Registration Agencies 

Installation voter assistance offices are Voter Registration Agencies as defined by the 

National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA). This designation makes the Installation 

voter assistance office responsible to provide voter registration assistance to uniformed 

services voters,their family members, and overseas citizens, as well as to all other civilian 

voters who have access and visit the office. Also, the installation voter assistance office 

must provide the voter registration services and assistance required by the NVRA.

C | Implications for the Establishment of the Installation Voter Assistance Office

The DoDI 1000.04 provides guidance to implement the MOVE Act by providing further clarification on the 

functions of the office, the establishment of the office, and the responsibilities of the office.

1

 States are permitted to apply for waivers in certain situations for particular elections; check the State’s election 

website for the most current information. 
Introduction

Function and establishment of the office

The office has two main functions:

> Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) Voting Assistance.

To provide uniformed service members, their family members, and overseas citizens 

with information and assistance on how to request an absentee ballot and vote absentee. 

These functions are accomplished through the use of two forms: 1) the Federal Post 

Card Application (FPCA), which serves as a vehicle for registration as well as a request 

for an absentee ballot; and 2) the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB), which 

serves as a back up in the event an official absentee ballot is not received.

> Civilian Voting Assistance. To provide to civilians with access to the Installation 

Voter Assistance Office information and assistance on procedures to register to 

vote and update voter registration information (e.g., change of address). This is 

accomplished by completing the National Mail Voter Registration Form (NVRF).

DoDI 1000.04 further requires the establishment of the office’s location and chain of command.

> Chain of Command. Shall be established within the installation headquarters organization 

and report directly to the commander, regardless of where it is geographically located.

> Location. Should be in a well-advertised, fixed location while physically colocated with an existing office that receives extensive visit.

Responsibilities of the Installation Voter Assistance Office

The DoDI 1000.04 designates the responsibilities of the office. These responsibilities include:

> The Installation Voter Assistance Office shall be integrated into processing 

activities required of military personnel and dependents, as well as civilian 

personnel and other civilians who have access to the office who are reporting, 

deploying, returning from deployment, or recording a change of address.

> The Installation Voter Assistance Office shall provide written instruction 

on voter registration and absentee ballot procedures.

> Installation Voter Assistance Office personnel shall provide direct 

assistance in completing the FPCA or NVRF.

> The installation voter assistance office needs to transmit completed forms to the appropriate 

election officials on behalf of the applicant, no later than 5 days of receipt of completed forms.

> The installation voter assistance office needs to maintain monthly records of the number 

of citizens assisted as well as actions taken with regards to the application forms.

Oversight

The passage of the MOVE Act places the authority to monitor compliance with the Inspectors General of each 

of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. The Inspectors General will conduct an annual review of the 

effectiveness and compliance of voting assistance programs, including the installation voter assistance office.
 | 9

Introduction

Summary of Installation Voter Assistance Office Requirements

The MOVE Act and DoDI 1000.04:

> Create new responsibilities regarding military voting assistance

> Require the creation of Installation Voter Assistance Offices

> Require the Installation Voter Assistance Offices to also provide 

assistance to civilians who have access to the office

The Installation Voter Assistance Office:

> Provides the appropriate form to citizens who have access to the office

> Provides voting assistance to all citizens who come to the office

> Transmits the completed form to the appropriate voting office, either 

electronically or by mail, on behalf of the applicant

> Coordinates with other departments on the installation to integrate voting assistance into 

installation personnel processing activities and when citizens are changing their address

> Collects metrics measuring the volume of citizens assisted on a monthly basis

Chapter 2 will provide help on how to set up the Installation Voter Assistance Office and execute these 

responsibilities.
Installation Voter Assistance Office Operations

2 

Installation Voter Assistance Office Operations

A | Establishing an Installation Voter Assistance Office

DoDI 1000.04, in conjunction with the MOVE Act, requires military installations to designate a voter assistance 

office to provide voting assistance to all U.S. citizens with access to the office. The following section outlines key 

requirements to establish an installation voter assistance office, including the designation, location, personnel, 

equipment/materials, installation awareness, and reporting structure.

Designation

The installation Commander must designate the Installation Voter Assistance Office in writing as a Voter 

Registration Agency as defined by NVRA. This written designation shall be kept on file in the headquarters 

office and a copy shall be included in the Installation Voter Assistance Office continuity folder. The installation 

Commander must also designate, in writing, personnel to staff the installation voter assistance office (for more 

information on personnel, see point 3 of this section).

It is recommended that the Installation Voter Assistance Office be clearly established as an office that offers 

only voting services. While the Installation Voter Assistance Office should be co-located with a frequently visited 

office, it should be set up with reporting, visual, functional, and personnel separation.

> Reporting Separation: While staffing the Installation Voter Assistance Office, 

personnel report directly to the installation Commander—not to the office 

in which the Installation Voter Assistance Office is co-located.

> Visual Separation: The Installation Voter Assistance Office should be set up 

in an independent, well-defined space (room, desk, or cubicle) and should 

be clearly labeled as the installation voter assistance office.

> Functional Separation: The Installation Voter Assistance Office 

should only be used to provide voting services.

> Personnel Separation: While staffing the Installation Voter Assistance 

Office, personnel should only provide voting services.

The way in which the office is physically set up has important implications for what is required as an NVRA Voter 

Registration Agency. NVRA specifies different requirements for an office that offers only voting services and an 

office that offers other services or assistance in addition to conducting voter registration.

Location
 | 11

Installation Voter Assistance Office Operations

The Installation Voter Assistance Office should be located in a well-advertised, fixed location. This location 

should be physically co-located with an existing office that 

receives extensive visits by Service personnel, family members, 

and DoD civilians. Examples of such offices include the 

Personnel Support Detachment, Family Readiness Group, 

or In & Out Processing Center. These types of locations are 

recommended to maximize the visibility of the office and its 

accessibility to voters associated with that installation. Other 

areas on the installation that are highly trafficked, such as an ID 

card office would also provide high visibility to the installation 

community.

The decision of where to place Installation Voter Assistance 

Offices will ultimately be determined within each of the Services and by their installation Commanders—consult 

your Service’s instruction for additional information on an appropriate location.

Personnel

DoDI 1000.04 requires the designation of voting assistance officers at every level of command, including the 

installation level, to coordinate the programs conducted by subordinate units and tenant commands. Although 

the Installation Voting Assistance Officer (IVAO) retains the 

responsibilities outlined in DoDI 1000.04 and in your Servicespecific instruction, the IVAO’s role in the day-to-day operations 

of the Installation Voter Assistance Office will be determined by 

each of the Services.

Similarly, the Unit Voting Assistance Officers (UVAOs) 

operate outside the sphere of influence of the Installation 

Voter Assistance Office. The UVAOs ensure that all small 

and geographically separated units are assisted and have 

responsibility to promote and assist voting-related efforts within 

their given units. Service-specific guidelines should be consulted 

as to any additional roles of the UVAOs.

To fulfill the responsibilities of the Installation Voter Assistance Office the installation needs to designate and 

train sufficient personnel. The number of personnel required to staff the office will vary based on how an 

individual Service chooses to execute the responsibilities of the office and on the size and activity level of the 

installation. Given the substantial effort involved in providing voter registration assistance to all voters who can 

access the Installation Voter Assistance Office, the staffing level is estimated at one to two full-time equivalents. 

Service-specific rank requirements must be adhered to in the designation of personnel. See your Service Voting 

Action Plan or ask your SVAO for details. 

Regardless of rank, all designated personnel must be trained to provide voting assistance within the installation 

voter assistance office. Copies of training certificates for all office personnel should be kept in the office 

continuity folder. In addition, all installation voter assistance office personnel must be familiar with the materials 

available on www.fvap.gov Along with the Voting Assistance Guide and other reference information, the website 

offers training, information on marketing materials, and other resources. Familiarity with the website is crucial, 

as www.fvap.gov contains the most up-to-date and complete information related to voting assistance activities.

The Installation Assistance Office 

is staffed by Voter personnel who 

must be designated in writing and 

have training on providing voting 

assistance.

Consult your Service’s instruction 

for specific information on where the 

installation voter assistance office 

should be placed.
Installation Voter Assistance Office Operations

Voting assistance needs to be available during normal business hours; however, the office does not require 

continuous staffing. When the office is not staffed during business hours, designated installation voter 

assistance office personnel should be on call and in close proximity. Additionally, while staffing the installation 

voter assistance office, all installation voter assistance office personnel should provide exclusively voting 

services.

Equipment/Materials

Information and assistance must be provided to individuals regarding registering to vote, registration procedures, 

updating registration information, and absentee voting. To achieve these goals it is recommended that, where 

practical, a computer with access to the internet and a printer are provided so that applicants may complete 

their forms online and print them in the Installation Voter Assistance Office. If a computer and printer are not 

available for the applicant to use, a computer with internet access 

and a printer are still necessary for installation voter assistance 

office personnel to be able to access voting materials online and 

print voter registration forms and information on voter registration for 

citizens.

To meet this requirement, the installation voter assistance office 

must have:

> A computer with access to the internet and a printer 

(along with adequate printing supplies) to print copies of:

• The FPCA for military members and their voting age dependents and overseas civilians.

• The FWAB for military members and their voting age dependents and overseas civilians.

• The NVRF and the instructions attached to that form (issued by the Election Assistance

• Commission) for Federal civilian employees and non-Federal civilians 

with access to the installation voter assistance office.

• State-specific instructions for completing the FPCA and FWAB available in the Voting

• Assistance Guide

> Business-size envelopes (Number 10) with the Postage-Paid Template printed 

upon them (for mailing completed FPCAs). This template can be downloaded 

and printed from www.fvap.gov/ eo/overview/materials/forms

> First-class postage or other mail franking to mail completed NVRFs.

Additionally, it is strongly recommended that the Installation Voter Assistance Office have access to a fax 

machine and a scanner to submit FPCAs electronically on behalf of applicants (if the applicant’s State permits 

electronic submissions). This is particularly important if the applicant’s voter registration deadline is approaching.

NOTE: Not all States currently accept completed FPCAs via fax or email; check the Voting Assistance

Guide on www.fvap.gov for the most current State-specific information.

 A computer access to the 

internet and a printer are necessary 

so office personnel can print voter 

registration forms and instructions 

for citizens.
 | 13

Installation Voter Assistance Office Operations

Installation Awareness

Appropriate actions are required to inform the installation community about the availability of information and 

voter registration assistance at the installation voter assistance office, including the time, location, and manner 

in which voters may utilize the installation voter assistance office.

To meet this requirement, the Installation Voter Assistance Office should:

> Post hours of operation outside of the office

> Provide the installation directory and telephone operators with the contact information for the 

installation voter assistance office and for installation voter assistance office personnel

> Post hours of operation, location, and contact information on installation website

Additional recommended outreach practices include:

> Posting copies of the Election Calendar Poster throughout the installation 

to inform installation personnel of upcoming dates. Instructions for ordering 

posters can be found in your Service Voting Action Plan.

> Coordination with the local Public Affairs office to encourage voter registration 

and voter participation in State primary elections and the general election.

> Including office location and hours of operation on all posted election materials.

> Soliciting publicity through additional channels, such as service 

or installation newsletters or social media.

Reporting Structure

The Installation Voter Assistance Office shall report directly to the installation Commander, even if 

geographically located in another office. When providing voting assistance, all Installation Voter Assistance 

Office personnel report directly to the installation Commander.

B | Responsibilities of the Installation Voter Assistance Office

DoDI 1000.04 specifies five required activities of the Installation Voter Assistance Office. Each of these 

requirements is outlined in this section.

Inclusion in Processing Activities

The Installation Voter Assistance Office is included in processing activities required of reporting personnel, 

deploying personnel, personnel returning from deployment, and personnel recording a change of address.

To meet this requirement, the Installation voter assistance office shall:

> Require individuals to visit the installation voter assistance office or meet with 
Installation Voter Assistance Office Operations

installation voter assistance office personnel as part of in-processing.

> Require individuals to visit the installation voter assistance office or meet with 

installation voter assistance office personnel pre- and post-deployment.

> Coordinate with installation commands to place 

on all in- processing, personnel pre- and postdeployment checklist forms, a required visit to the 

installation voter assistance office or meeting with 

installation voter assistance office personnel.

> Coordinate with other installation offices so when 

individuals update or change their mailing address 

they are informed of the location of the installation 

voter assistance office so that they can update 

their address with their local election office.

This could include coordinating with offices such as Personnel 

Support Detachment or battalion personnel offices.

Provide Written Information on Voter Registration and Absentee 

Ballot Procedures

The Installation Voter Assistance Office is required to provide written information on voter registration and 

absentee ballot procedures.

To meet this requirement, the installation voter assistance office shall:

> Be able to print copies of the FPCA, FWAB, NVRF, and State-specific 

instructions for completing the FPCA and FWAB available in the Voting 

Assistance Guide for citizens to use in the office or take with them.

Provide Direct Assistance in Completing the FPCA or the NVRF

Personnel staffing the Installation Voter Assistance Office must be equipped to provide direct assistance to 

individuals in completing the FPCA and the NVRF.

To meet this requirement, all Installation Voter Assistance Office personnel must:

> Complete FVAP’s Installation Voter Assistance 

Office training. This self-paced training module 

can be completed online at www.fvap.gov.

Mail Completed FPCA or NVRF

Personnel staffing the Installation Voter Assistance Office must mail 

completed FPCAs or NVRFs to the appropriate election office within 

five days.

To ease the burden on the 

installation voter assistance office, 

it is recommended that individuals 

interested in registering to vote 

or updating their registration 

information be advised to 

complete the FPCA using FVAP’s 

online assistant and bring the 

completed paperwork to the 

office.

The installation voter 

assistance office must mail the 

completed FPCA or NVRF to 

the appropriate election official 

within five days.
 | 15

Installation Voter Assistance Office Operations

To meet this requirement, all Installation Voter Assistance Office personnel must:

> Be familiar with the resources provided by FVAP (Voting Assistance Guide, Installation Voter 

Assistance Office Handbook) and the EAC (NVRF) and able to use the resources to find the 

correct contact information for an applicant’s election office (mail, email, or fax number).

Maintain Monthly Records

The Installation Voter Assistance office must maintain monthly records regarding voting assistance activities. 

Consult your Service Voting Action Plan and/or your Service Voting Regulations for specific information on 

collecting and reporting voting assistance metrics.

To meet this requirement, each Installation Voter Assistance 

Office must, at a minimum, establish a method for recording the 

number of:

• Citizens assisted

• FPCAs and NVRFs provided

• FPCAs and NVRFs mailed

Installation voter assistance 

office personnel should check 

their Service Voting Action 

Plan or with their SVAO for 

Service- specific metrics and 

reporting protocol.
Installation Voter Assistance Office Operations

Summary of Installation Voter Assistance Office Operations

 

Chapter 2 outlined the requirements for establishing an Installation Voter Assistance Office. 

Installation Voter Assistance Office Set-up:

> Designation. The Installation Commander must designate in writing the 

installation voter assistance office as a Voter Registration Agency.

> Location. Consult your Service’s instruction to ensure compliance with its specific 

requirements. The Installation Voter Assistance Office needs to be:

• In a fixed location that is well advertised and co-located with another well-trafficked office

• Established as an office that only offers voting services

> Personnel. Make sure enough personnel have been designated and trained to 

cover the responsibilities of the installation voter assistance office.

> Equipment/Materials. The Installation Voter Assistance Office needs:

• Computer access to the internet and a printer to provide citizens with copies of the FPCA, 

FWAB, and NVRF, as well as the State-specific instructions for completing those forms

• Business envelopes and postage or franking to mail completed forms

• A fax machine and scanner to submit completed FPCAs 

to States that accept the form electronically

> Installation Awareness. The Installation Voter Assistance Office needs established phone 

number and email addresses that are registered with the installation directory and operators, 

and must ensure that the contact information is well advertised throughout the installation.

> Reporting Structure. The Installation Voter Assistance Office reports directly 

to the Installation Commander—regardless of where it is located.

Responsibilities:

> Inclusion in Processing Activities. The Installation Voter Assistance Office must be 

includedin the processing activities required of reporting personnel, deploying personnel, 

personnel returning from deployment, and personnel recording a change of address.

> Provide Written Voting Materials. Installation Voter Assistance Office 

personnel need to be able to print of copies of the FPCA, FWAB, NVRF, 

and information from the Voting Assistance Guide in the office.

> Provide Direct Voting Assistance. Personnel staffing the Installation Voter Assistance 

Office need to offer assistance to applicants to complete the appropriate forms.

> Mail Completed Forms. Applicants must be advised that the Installation Voter Assistance 

Office can send the completed application form to local election officials. Forms must be 

transmitted by the Installation Voter Assistance Office within five calendar days.

> Maintain Monthly Records. Accurate records of the volume of assistance must be kept.
 | 17

Installation Voter Assistance Office Operations

Checklists for the Installation Voter Assistance Office establishment, operations, and continuity folder are 

available in Appendix C.

Chapter 3 will guide you through helping voters.
Assisting Voters

3 

Assisting Voters

The Installation Voter Assistance Office provides applicants with written information on voter registration 

procedures and absentee ballot procedures. Voting assistance begins with helping the applicant identify the 

correct form. There are two different voter registration forms that need to be available in the installation voter 

assistance office—the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) and the National Mail Voter

Registration Form (NVRF).

The FPCA should be used by all uniformed service personnel and their

family members, as well as all overseas U.S. citizens. The FPCA can be used to:

> Register to vote

> Update information with the local voter registration office (e.g., report address change)

> Request an absentee ballot

The NVRF should be used by all other U.S. citizens. The NVRF can be used to:

> Register to vote

> Update information with the local voter registration office (e.g., report address change)

Type of Applicant Appropriate Form Additional Information

Identify the Correct Form Based on the Applicant

A member of the uniformed 

services on active duty

A spouse or dependent 

of a uniformed service 

member

A U.S. citizen residing

outside the U.S.

A U.S. citizen residing

inside the U.S. NVRF

FPCA

Use state-specific instructions

in Voting Assistance Guide

to complete the FPCA

Quick Reference Guides on completing the FPCA and the NVRF are included in Appendix B.

Visit EAC.gov for more

info and to complete 

the form
 | 19

Assisting Voters

Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)

The Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) should 

be used by uniformed service personnel and their 

family members, as well as overseas U.S. citizens. 

The FPCA can serve as both a voter registration 

form and a request for an absentee ballot. 

The FPCA must be completed according to the 

applicant’s State or territory’s specific instructions 

and submitted to the applicant’s local election office. 

State- specific instructions are available in the 

Voting Assistance Guide, which can be accessed at 

www.fvap.gov.

Uniformed service personnel and their family 

members and overseas citizens should submit a 

new FPCA each year and whenever the applicant 

changes his or her mailing address. The following 

pages outline how Installation Voter Assistance 

Office personnel can help an applicant submit an 

FPCA.

FPCA - Step 1: Determine an Applicant’s Legal Voting Residence

To vote in U.S. elections, citizens must have a legal voting residence address in a State or territory. A legal 

voting residence is typically defined as where a citizen has, or has had, physical presence and where the citizen 

intends to remain or return.

U.S. citizens may only have one legal voting residence at a time, and may not arbitrarily choose which State to 

declare as their legal voting residence without meeting the State’s residency requirement.

The FPCA Online Assistant is available at:

> www.fvap.gov/r3/privacyactnotice

The Voting Assistance Guide is available at:

> www.fvap.gov/vao/vag

The FPCA is available at:

> www.fvap.gov/eo/overview/materials/forms

Voter Registration and

Absentee Ballot Request

Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)

This form is for absent Uniformed Service members, 

their families, and citizens residing outside the United 

States. It is used to register to vote, request an 

absentee ballot, and update your contact information. 

See your state’s instructions at FVAP.gov. Print clearly in blue or black ink, please see back for instructions.

 I am on active duty in the Uniformed Services or Merchant Marine 

 I am a U.S. citizen living outside the country, and I intend to return.

 I am a U.S. citizen living outside the country, and my intent to return is uncertain.

 I am a U.S. citizen living outside the country, and I have never lived in the United States.

I am an eligible spouse or dependent.

1. Who are you? Pick one.

I request an absentee 

ballot for all elections 

in which I am eligible 

to vote AND:

-ORFemale

Male Sex

/ /

Last name

First name

Middle name

Driver’s license or State ID #

Birth date (MM/DD/YYYY)

Previous names (if applicable)

Suffix (Jr., II) 

Social Security Number

Your voting materials will not be sent to this address. See instructions on other side of form.

5. What are your preferences for upcoming elections?

Street address

City, town, village

County ZIP

State 

Apt #

2. What is your address in the U.S. state or territory where you are registering to vote and requesting an absentee ballot?

Email:

Alternate email:

Phone:

Fax:

4. What is your contact information? This is so election officials can reach you about your request.

Provide the country code and area code with your phone and fax number. Do not use a Defense Switched Network (DSN) number.

Your mailing address. (Different from above) Your mail forwarding address. (If different from mailing address)

3. Where are you now? You MUST give your CURRENT address to receive your voting materials. 

Mail

Email or online

Fax

A. How do you want to receive 

voting materials from your 

election office? (Select One)

B. What is your political party 

for primary elections?

6. What additional information must you provide?

Puerto Rico and Vermont require more information, see back for instructions. Additional state instructions may be found at FVAP.gov. You 

may also use this space to clarify your voter information.

7. You must read and sign this statement.

I swear or affirm, under penalty of perjury, that: 

The information on this form is true, accurate, and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that a material misstatement of fact in 

completion of this document may constitute grounds for conviction of perjury.

I am a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years of age (or will be by the day of the election), eligible to vote in the requested jurisdiction, and

I am not disqualified to vote due to having been convicted of a felony or other disqualifying offense, nor have I been adjudicated mentally 

incompetent; or if so, my voting rights have been reinstated; and

I am not registering, requesting a ballot, or voting in any other jurisdiction in the United States, except the jurisdiction cited in this voting form. 

/ /

 This information is for official use only. Any unauthorized release may be punishable by law. Previous editions are obsolete. Standard Form 76 (Rev.04-2019), OMB No. 0704-0503

Sign here X Today’s date

(MM/DD/YYYY)

Determine an 

Applicant’s Legal 

Voting Residence

Use State-Specific 

Guidelines for 

Completing the FPCA

Submit the 

Completed FPCA 

to the Appropriate 

Election Official

Remind Applicant 

of the Option to 

Submit the FWAB
Assisting Voters

 NOTE: Voting in an election for Federal offices only may not be used as the sole basis to determine residency 

for the purposes of imposing State and local taxes. If a voter claims a particular State as his or her residence 

and has other ties with that State in addition to voting, then that voter may be liable for State and local taxation, 

depending upon that particular State law. Consult legal counsel for specific questions or situations.

FPCA - Step 2: Use State-Specific Guidelines for Completing the Form

After determining an applicant’s legal voting residence, the FPCA must be completed according to the rules of 

the applicant’s State of residence. State-specific instructions for completing the FPCA are available in the Voting 

Assistance Guide, which can be accessed at www.fvap.gov. Office personnel should offer to assist applicants in 

completing the FPCA.

If you are assisting a member of the uniformed services or family member...

> For uniformed service members their legal voting residence can 

either be the State or territory where he or she last resided prior to 

entering military service (Home of Record) OR the State or territory 

that he or she has since claimed as a legal residence.

> A spouse does not automatically assume the legal residence of the active duty 

member upon marriage. Minors typically assume the legal residence of either 

parent and, when they become 18, they also have the option of establishing 

their own legal residence that can be different from either parent, assuming they 

have met the guidelines of physical presence and intent to remain or return.

> Uniformed service members and their eligible dependents may change their legal 

residence every time they change permanent duty stations, or they may retain their 

established legal residence without change. This may mean that a uniformed service 

member has a different legal voting residence than his or her family members.

> A Judge Advocate General officer or legal counsel should be consulted 

before legal residence is changed because there are usually other factors 

that should be considered besides voting, such as State and local taxes.

If you are assisting an overseas civilian...

> For overseas civilians, their legal voting residence is usually the State or territory 

in which they resided immediately prior to leaving the U.S. This is true even if 

many years have elapsed since they lived in the U.S., and they no longer maintain 

a residence in that State or territory, or if their intent to return is uncertain.

Determine an 

Applicant’s Legal 

Voting Residence

Use State-Specific 

Guidelines for 

Completing the FPCA

Submit the 

Completed FPCA 

to the Appropriate 

Election Official

Remind Applicant 

of the Option to 

Submit the FWAB
 | 21

Assisting Voters

Local election officials have noted that some 

of the most frequent problems with processing 

the FPCA include not providing an adequate 

voting residence address, writing illegibility, 

and mailing the completed FPCA to the wrong 

jurisdiction. To reduce the occurrences of 

these issues, FVAP has created an online

tool to help applicants to correctly complete 

the FPCA. The FPCA online assistant 

(available at www.fvap.gov) asks applicants to 

enter the State of their voting residence and 

provides State-specific instructions for

completing and submitting the form.

If possible, the Installation Voter Assistance Office should 

include a computer with internet access and a printer that 

applicants can use to access the FPCA online assistant. If there 

is not a computer for the applicant to use, Installation Voter 

Assistance Office personnel need to provide the applicant with 

the state-specific instructions from the Voting Assistance Guide. 

Whether the FPCA is completed on paper or on a computer, 

office personnel should offer to assist applicants in filling out the 

form.

If an applicant wants to take the FPCA with them to complete at 

a later time or pick-up copies of the FPCA for family members 

to complete, Installation Voter Assistance Office personnel must print copies of the FPCA as well as the Statespecific instructions for completing the form available in the Voting Assistance Guide.

After completing the FPCA online assistant, the applicant is provided with a personalized FPCA 

PDF package that includes:

> A pre-addressed, postage-paid envelope template

> State-specific instructions including key deadlines for registering to 

vote, requesting an absentee ballot, and returning that ballot

> An electronic transmission coversheet for faxing or emailing 

the FPCA (depending what is allowed by that State)

> The completed FPCA for the applicant to sign

Installation voter assistance

office personnel need to print 

copies of the FPCA and the 

State-specific instructions 

for applicants who wish to 

complete the form at a later 

time.
Assisting Voters

FPCA - Step 3: Submit the Completed Form to the Appropriate Election Official

The completed and signed FPCA should be sent directly to the applicant’s local election office. All States will 

accept the FPCA via mail; however, State laws may differ as to whether an applicant may return the completed 

FPCA via email or fax. Check the Voting Assistance Guide, (available at www.fvap.gov) for State-specific 

requirements. The installation voter assistance office should have the contact information for local and State 

election offices readily available to help address citizens’ concerns on the submission of their FPCAs.

Mail: Postal addresses for the local election offices are included in the Voting Assistance Guide (available at 

www.fvap.gov). The cardstock version of the FPCA is postage-paid within the U.S. postal system, including APO 

and FPO addresses. The online version of the FPCA must be placed in an envelope; a postage-paid envelope 

template is available at www.fvap.gov. If using a foreign mail service, the applicant must affix proper postage 

and include “USA” in the mailing address.

Email: Scan the completed and signed FPCA and save as a PDF file. Email the file as an attachment, along with 

a copy of the Electronic Transmission Sheet. Email directly to the local election office. Email addresses can be 

found on the State’s election website or at www.fvap.gov. Note: Not every State currently accepts the FPCA via 

email—check the Voting Assistance Guide available at www.fvap.gov.

Fax: Fax the completed and signed FPCA to the applicant’s local election office. Fax numbers can be found 

on the State’s election website or in the Voting Assistance Guide (available at www.fvap.gov). Use a separate 

transmission coversheet for each FPCA and send each form separately. Note: Not every State currently accepts 

the FPCA via fax—check the Voting Assistance Guide available at www.fvap.gov.

Installation Voter Assistance Office: The Installation Voter Assistance Office

must mail the completed FPCA for the applicant within five calendar days to the appropriate local election office. 

If the applicant’s State allows the FPCA to be submitted via email or fax, installation voter assistance office 

personnel may email or fax the signed FPCA to the correct local election official.

The FPCA Online Assistant is available at:

> www.fvap.gov/r3/privacyactnotice

The Voting Assistance Guide is available at:

> https://www.fvap.gov/guide

The FPCA is available at:

> www.fvap.gov/eo/overview/materials/forms

Determine an 

Applicant’s Legal 

Voting Residence

Use State-Specific 

Guidelines for 

Completing the FPCA

Submit the 

Completed FPCA 

to the Appropriate 

Election Official

Remind Applicant 

of the Option to 

Submit the FWAB
 | 23

Assisting Voters

 FPCA Mailing Instructions

FPCA

1

2

3

The following pages outline how to submit an FPCA using the online assistant.

Step 1

Complete the FPCA using your State’s 

instructions in the Voting Assistance Guide. 

The FPCA and the Voting Assistance Guide 

are available at www.fvap.gov.

Step 2

If completing the cardstock version of the

FPCA, sign, fold, and seal your FPCA.

If using the online FPCA, print, sign,

and put it in an envelope. You may print 

postage-paid insignia on your envelope by 

using the envelope template available at 

www.fvap.gov.

If using FVAP’s online assistant for 

completing the FPCA, a pre-addressed 

postage-paid envelope template will be 

provided for you to print.

Step 3

Mail the FPCA to your local election official 

(addresses are available in the Voting 

Assistance Guide). Be sure to include your 

return address and affix postage if using a 

foreign postal service.
Assisting Voters

Submitting FPCAs Completed Using the FPCA Online Assistant on www.FVAP.gov

If an applicant brings in the printed personalized FPCA PDF package produced by the FPCA online assistant, 

the installation voter assistance office has several options for submitting the form (mail, fax, or email), depending 

on the submission methods allowed by the applicant’s State and the equipment available to the installation voter 

assistance office.

FPCA Package from the Online Assistant

FPCAs completed by the applicant with the FPCA online assistant will have all the applicant’s information 

printed on the form. The installation voter assistance office personnel should check that the applicant has signed 

and dated the FPCA. Reference State information to determine whether a witness is required.

Voter Registration and

Absentee Ballot Request

Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)

This form is for absent Uniformed Service members, 

their families, and citizens residing outside the United 

States. It is used to register to vote, request an 

absentee ballot, and update your contact information. 

See your state’s instructions at FVAP.gov. Print clearly in blue or black ink, please see back for instructions.

 I am on active duty in the Uniformed Services or Merchant Marine 

 I am a U.S. citizen living outside the country, and I intend to return.

 I am a U.S. citizen living outside the country, and my intent to return is uncertain.

 I am a U.S. citizen living outside the country, and I have never lived in the United States.

I am an eligible spouse or dependent.

1. Who are you? Pick one.

I request an absentee 

ballot for all elections 

in which I am eligible 

to vote AND:

-ORFemale

Male Sex

/ /

Last name

First name

Middle name

Driver’s license or State ID #

Birth date (MM/DD/YYYY)

Previous names (if applicable)

Suffix (Jr., II) 

Social Security Number

Your voting materials will not be sent to this address. See instructions on other side of form.

5. What are your preferences for upcoming elections?

Street address

City, town, village

County ZIP

State 

Apt #

2. What is your address in the U.S. state or territory where you are registering to vote and requesting an absentee ballot?

Email:

Alternate email:

Phone:

Fax:

4. What is your contact information? This is so election officials can reach you about your request.

Provide the country code and area code with your phone and fax number. Do not use a Defense Switched Network (DSN) number.

Your mailing address. (Different from above) Your mail forwarding address. (If different from mailing address)

3. Where are you now? You MUST give your CURRENT address to receive your voting materials. 

Mail

Email or online

Fax

A. How do you want to receive 

voting materials from your 

election office? (Select One)

B. What is your political party 

for primary elections?

6. What additional information must you provide?

Puerto Rico and Vermont require more information, see back for instructions. Additional state instructions may be found at FVAP.gov. You 

may also use this space to clarify your voter information.

7. You must read and sign this statement.

I swear or affirm, under penalty of perjury, that: 

The information on this form is true, accurate, and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that a material misstatement of fact in 

completion of this document may constitute grounds for conviction of perjury.

I am a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years of age (or will be by the day of the election), eligible to vote in the requested jurisdiction, and

I am not disqualified to vote due to having been convicted of a felony or other disqualifying offense, nor have I been adjudicated mentally 

incompetent; or if so, my voting rights have been reinstated; and

I am not registering, requesting a ballot, or voting in any other jurisdiction in the United States, except the jurisdiction cited in this voting form. 

/ /

 This information is for official use only. Any unauthorized release may be punishable by law. Previous editions are obsolete. Standard Form 76 (Rev.04-2019), OMB No. 0704-0503

Sign here X Today’s date

(MM/DD/YYYY)

Ensure the applicant 

has signed and 

dated the FPCA.

Check to see if a 

witness is required.
 | 25

Assisting Voters

Mailing

The first page of the personalized PDF package is a postage-paid envelope template that is

pre-addressed to the applicant’s local election office. To use this envelope, it must be printed onto an envelope 

at least 91⁄2 inches by 41/8 inches (a number 10 envelope). Please note that the postage- paid label must be 

printed directly onto the envelope (not taped or stapled to the envelope). Be sure to mail the completed and 

signed FPCA along with any addendum sheets in the personalized FPCA PDF package.

Electronic Submissions

If the applicant’s State accepts FPCAs via fax or email, the PDF package will include transmission coversheets 

for submitting the FPCA electronically. The transmission coversheets will be prefilled with the correct contact 

information for the jurisdiction selected by the applicant. When possible, it is recommended that the Installation 

Voter Assistance office submit FPCAs electronically for faster delivery to the local election office. If there are 

no transmission coversheets in the package, that State does not currently accept electronic submissions of the 

FPCA.

International airmail postage is required if not mailed in the 

U.S. Postal Service, APO/FPO system, or diplomatic pouch. 

U.S. Postage Paid

39 USC 3406

PAR AVION

OFFICIAL ABSENTEE BALLOTING MATERIAL – FIRST CLASS MAIL

NO POSTAGE NECESSARY IN THE U.S. MAIL – DMM 703.8.0 To

From

(Your name and current complete military or overseas mailing address)

(Your local election office in the United States. Check your State’s pages in the Voting Assistance 

Guide on FVAP.gov for contact information.)
Assisting Voters

 Sample Transmission Coversheet

FPCA - Step 4: Remind Applicant of the Option to Submit the FWAB

The Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) is a back-up ballot available to citizens who have submitted an 

FPCA requesting an absentee ballot from their State but have not yet received their ballot. To use the FWAB, 

citizens must have submitted their FPCA early enough so that the local election office received the request at 

least 30 days before the election or before the State’s ballot request deadline—whichever is later.

A voter can submit a FWAB any time after submitting an FPCA. It is important for installation voter assistance 

office personnel to remind installation voters who complete an FPCA of the option to submit a FWAB as a 

backup for a State absentee ballot not

received in time.

If citizens receive their State absentee ballot after they

submit their FWAB, they should vote and immediately return the State absentee ballot. If the State absentee 

ballot arrives by the State’s ballot return deadline, the State will count the State absentee ballot instead of the 

FWAB.

Transmission Cover Sheet

To:

City/County

Board of Elections

Fax Number

City

State

From:

Last Name

First Name

Middle Name

Telephone Number

Fax Number

Email Address

Number of pages being transmitted, including this sheet:

         Not all forms can be sent electronically. Please check the FVAP.gov

website or the Voting Assistance Guide to verify which forms can be sent

electronically to your Election Official.

Fax: Send directly to your Election Official. If you are unable and need fax

assistance send to: 703‐693‐5527/DSN 223‐5527 or 1‐800‐368‐8683 or   

check FVAP.gov for international fax numbers.  If you need to fax and do not

have access to a fax machine you can email your forms to fax@fvap.gov.

Email: If your forms can be emailed, DO NOT USE FAX@FVAP.GOV.  

Email them directly to your election official.  Email addresses for your election

official can be found at FVAP.gov.

If a VOTED BALLOT is being faxed or emailed, sign below:

“I understand that by faxing or emailing my voted ballot I am voluntarily waiving my right to a secret ballot”

Signature: Date:

AdditionalInformation:

The transmission coversheet in 

the PDF package will include the 

fax number or email address for 

the applicant’s local election office 

depending on how the state accepts 

the form.

If the voter must send the form by 

fax, fill in the number of pages being 

transmitted via fax. Fax the signed 

FPCA and any “Addendum Sheets”

created by the online assistant.

Determine an 

Applicant’s Legal 

Voting Residence

Use State-Specific 

Guidelines for 

Completing the FPCA

Submit the 

Completed FPCA 

to the Appropriate 

Election Official

Remind Applicant 

of the Option to 

Submit the FWAB
 | 27

Assisting Voters

The Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB)

Currently, all States accept the FWAB as a ballot for Federal offices (President/Vice President, U.S. Senator, 

U.S. Representative, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner) in general elections. Some States have expanded 

the use of the FWAB and accept the FWAB for voting in primary, special, and runoff elections and/or for State 

and local offices (refer to the Voting Assistance Guide for State-specific uses of the FWAB).

The following page illustrates how to submit a FWAB.

 

Voters can submit a FWAB any 

time after submitting an FPCA. 

If their absentee ballot arrives 

after they submit the FWAB they 

should still complete and return 

the absentee ballot.

Email:

Alternate email:

Phone:

Fax:

4. What is your contact information? This is so election officials can reach you about your request.

Provide the country code and area code with your phone and fax number. Do not use a Defense Switched Network (DSN) number.

Voter Information

Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB)

Print clearly in blue or black ink, please see back for instructions.

1. Who are you? Pick one.

3. Where are you now? You MUST give your CURRENT contact information.

5. What are your preferences for future elections?

Email or online

Mail

Fax

C. What is your 

political party for 

primary elections?

6. What additional information must you provide?

The following need more information: Alabama, Alaska, Puerto Rico, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin, see back for instructions. Additional 

state instructions can be found at FVAP.gov.

7. You must read and sign this statement.

I swear or affirm, under penalty of perjury, that: 

Standard Form 186 (Rev.04-2019), OMB No. 0704-0502

Some states allow you to use this form to register and request 

ballots for future elections. Visit FVAP.gov for more details. 

The information on this form is true, accurate, and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that a material misstatement of fact in 

completion of this document may constitute grounds for conviction of perjury.

I am a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years of age (or will be by the day of election), eligible to vote in the requested jurisdiction, and

I am not disqualified to vote due to having been convicted of a felony or other disqualifying offense, nor have I been adjudicated mentally 

incompetent; or if so, my voting rights have been reinstated; and

I am not registering, requesting a ballot, or voting in any other jurisdiction in the United States, except the jurisdiction cited in this voting form. 

In voting, I have marked and sealed this ballot in private and have not allowed any person to observe the marking of this ballot, except those 

authorized to assist voters under State and Federal law. 

Your mailing address. (Different from above) Your mail forwarding address. (If different from mailing address)

Your voting materials will not be sent to this address. See instructions on other side of form.

Street address

City, town, village

County ZIP

State 

Apt #

2. What is your U.S. voting residence address?

B. How do you want to

receive voting materials

from your election office?

Have you already registered and 

requested an absentee ballot?

/ /

 This information is for official use only. Any unauthorized release may be punishable by law. Previous editions are obsolete. 

X Today’s date

(MM/DD/YYYY) Sign here 

 I am a U.S. citizen living outside the country, and I intend to return.

 I am a U.S. citizen living outside the country, and my intent to return is uncertain.

 I am a U.S. citizen living outside the country, and I have never lived in the United States.

For absent Uniformed I am an eligible spouse or dependent.

Service members, their 

families, and citizens 

residing outside the 

United States. 

-OR-

/ /

Last name

First name

Middle name

Driver’s license or State ID #

Birth date (MM/DD/YYYY)

Previous names (if applicable)

Suffix (Jr., II) 

Social Security Number

 I am on active duty in the Uniformed Services or Merchant Marine 

Female

Male Sex

A. Do you want to register and 

request a ballot for all elections 

you are eligible to vote in? No

Yes
Assisting Voters

 FWAB Mailing Instructions

FWAB

1

2

3

Declaration/

Armation

Security

Envelope

4

Step 1

Complete and sign the FWAB’s Voter 

Declaration/Affirmation using your State’s 

instructions in the Voting Assistance Guide.

Step 2

Fold the Voter Declaration/Affirmation 

and put it in the accompanying Mailing 

Envelope. Do not seal the envelope yet.

If using the online FWAB, use your own 

envelope as the Mailing Envelope. You may 

print postage-paid insignia on your envelope 

by using the envelope template available at 

www.fvap.gov.

Step 3

Vote the ballot by writing in a candidate

or party name. Detach the ballot from the 

Security Envelope, fold it, insert it into the 

Security Envelope, and seal.

If using the online FWAB, use a separate 

blank envelope and write “Security 

Envelope” on it.

Step 4

Put the Security Envelope into the Mailing 

Envelope, seal, and address it to your local 

election official. Be sure to include your 

return address and affix postage if using a 

foreign postal service.
 | 29

Assisting Voters

National Mail Voter Registration Form (NVRF)

The National Mail Voter Registration Form (NVRF) 

should be used by all U.S. citizens that are not 

uniformed service personnel and their families, or 

an overseas U.S. citizen.

The NVRF can be used to register to vote in a U.S. 

State, report a change of name to the applicant’s 

voter registration office, report a change of address 

to the applicant’s voter registration office, or to 

register with a political party.

Unlike the FPCA, the NVRF does not serve as an 

application for an absentee ballot. Voters who are 

not active-duty military, family members of activeduty military, or overseas citizens but will be away 

from their polling place on Election Day should 

contact their local election office or check their 

State election website for their State’s guidelines on 

voting absentee.

State-specific instructions and contact information 

are listed in instructions attached to the NVRF 

(available at

www.eac.gov).

NVRF - Step 1: Determine an Applicant’s Legal Voting Residence

To vote in U.S. elections, citizens must have a legal voting residence address in a State or territory. A legal 

voting residence is typically defined as where a citizen has, or has had, physical presence and where the citizen 

intends to remain or return. U.S. citizens may only have one legal voting residence at a time and must meet the 

State’s residency requirement.

Voter Registration Application

Before completing this form, review the General, Application, and State specific instructions.

Are you a citizen of the United States of America? Yes No

Will you be 18 years old on or before election day? Yes No

If you checked "No" in response to either of these questions, do not complete form.

(Please see state-specific instructions for rules regarding eligibility to register prior to age 18.)

This space for office use only.

1 Mr. 

Mrs. 

Miss 

Ms.

Last Name First Name Middle Name(s) Jr 

Sr 

II 

III 

IV

2 Home Address Apt. or Lot # City/Town State Zip Code

3 Address Where You Get Your Mail If Different From Above City/Town State Zip Code

4

Date of Birth

 Month Day Year 

5

Telephone Number (optional)

6

ID Number - (See item 6 in the instructions for your state)

7

Choice of Party 

(see item 7 in the instructions for your State) 8

Race or Ethnic Group 

(see item 8 in the instructions for your State)

■

■

■

●

● 



■

■

■ 9

I have reviewed my state's instructions and I swear/affirm that:

I am a United States citizen

I meet the eligibility requirements of my state and 

subscribe to any oath required.

The information I have provided is true to the best of my 

knowledge under penalty of perjury. If I have provided false 

information, I may be fined, imprisoned, or (if not a U.S. 

citizen) deported from or refused entry to the United States.

Please sign full name (or put mark) 

Date: 

Month Day Year 

If you are registering to vote for the first time: please refer to the application instructions for information on submitting 

copies of valid identification documents with this form.

Please fill out the sections below if they apply to you.

If this application is for a change of name, what was your name before you changed it?

A Mr. 

Mrs. 

Miss 

Ms.

Last Name First Name Middle Name(s) Jr 

Sr 

II 

III 

IV

If you were registered before but this is the first time you are registering from the address in Box 2, what was your address where you were registered before?

B Street (or route and box number) Apt. or Lot # City/Town/County State Zip Code 

If you live in a rural area but do not have a street number, or if you have no address, please show on the map where you live.

C

Write in the names of the crossroads (or streets) nearest to where you live.

Draw an X to show where you live.

Use a dot to show any schools, churches, stores, or other landmarks

near where you live, and write the name of the landmark.

Example

Woodchuck Road 

Route #2 

Public School 

Grocery Store

X

NORTH 

If the applicant is unable to sign, who helped the applicant fill out this application? Give name, address and phone number (phone number optional).

D

Mail this application to the address provided for your State.

Determine an 

Applicant’s Legal 

Voting Residence

Use State-Specific 

Guidelines for 

Completing the FPCA

Submit the 

Completed NVRF 

to the Appropriate 

Election Official

If assisting domestic civilians, their legal voting residence is their home address (which might not be 

their current mailing address). If determining a civilian’s voting residence is complicated, contact the 

State election office.
Assisting Voters

NOTE: Voting in an election for Federal offices only may not be used as the sole basis to determine residency 

for the purposes of imposing State and local taxes. If a voter claims a particular State as his or her residence 

and has other ties with that State in addition to voting, then that voter may be liable for State and local taxation, 

depending upon that particular State law. Consult legal counsel for specific questions or situations.

NVRF - Step 2: Use State-Specific Guidelines for Completing the Form

After determining an applicant’s legal voting residence, the form needs to be completed according to the rules 

of the applicant’s State. The instructions attached to the NVRF contain State-specific guidelines for completing 

the form. If a computer with internet access and a printer are available, encourage the applicant to complete the 

form online. This will ensure that the form is completed legibly. Whether the NVRF is completed on paper or on 

a computer, office personnel should offer to assist applicants in filling out the form.

If an applicant wants to take the NVRF with them to complete at a later time or pick up copies of the NVRF for 

family members to complete, installation voter assistance office personnel shall print copies of the NVRF as well 

as the State-specific instructions attached to the form.

The NVRF and its instructions are available at:

> www.eac.gov/assets/1/Page/National Mail Voter Registration Form - English.pdf

In addition to English, the NVRF is available in Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Tagalog, and Vietnamese 

from:

> www.eac.gov/voter_resources/register_to_vote.aspx

All states have specific instructions regarding the NVRF. For example:

> Wyoming does not allow the use of the NVRF. Wyoming applicants must use the 

form available at: soswy.state.wy.us/Forms/Elections/General/vrapp.pdf

> North Dakota voters are not required to register, so there is no need to submit the NVRF.

> Virginia, along with some other States, requires a full Social Security Number.

Always check the State-specific instructions.

Determine an 

Applicant’s Legal 

Voting Residence

Use State-Specific 

Guidelines for 

Completing the FPCA

Submit the 

Completed NVRF 

to the Appropriate 

Election Official
 | 31

Assisting Voters

NVRF - Step 3: Submit the Completed Form to the Appropriate Election Official

The completed and signed NVRF should be mailed directly to the State election office or delivered in person to 

the local election office.

Mail: Postal addresses for the State election offices are included in the State-specific instructions attached to 

the NVRF. Mailing the NVRF requires a first-class postage stamp.

Installation Voter Assistance Office: Installation Voter Assistance Office personnel shall mail the completed 

NVRF for the applicant within five calendar days to the appropriate State election office. Mailing the NVRF 

requires first-class postage (either stamp or other frank), which must be provided by the Installation Voter 

Assistance Office.

The following page illustrates how to submit an NVRF.

Determine an 

Applicant’s Legal 

Voting Residence

Use State-Specific 

Guidelines for 

Completing the FPCA

Submit the 

Completed NVRF 

to the Appropriate 

Election Official
Assisting Voters

 NVRF Mailing Instructions

Step 1

Complete the NVRF using your State’s 

instructions that are attached to the NVRF. 

The NVRF and the instructions for the 

NVRF are available at www.eac.gov.

Step 2

Print, sign, and fold your NVRF and place in 

an envelope.

Step 3

Mail the NVRF to your State election office 

(addresses are available in the instructions 

attached to the NVRF). Be sure to include 

your return address and affix first class 

postage.

NVRF

1

2

3
 | 33

Assisting Voters

Guidelines for Installation Voter Assistance Office Personnel

Installation Voter Assistance Office personnel must not provide partisan voting information from candidates, 

political parties, or partisan organizations. Installation Voter Assistance Office personnel may receive questions 

from voters regarding whether they can distribute and/or display materials at the military installations. Installation 

Voter Assistance Office personnel should consult their Commanding Officer for their interpretation of DoD 

Directive 1344.10 Political Activities by Members of the Armed Forces on Active Duty, available at www.fvap.

gov.

Additionally, because the Installation Voter Assistance Office is designated as a Voter Registration

Agency, Federal law provides that personnel staffing the office must not:

> Seek to influence an applicant’s political preference or party registration

> Display any such political preference or party allegiance

> Make any statement to an applicant or take any actions with the purpose or effect 

of encouraging or discouraging the applicant from registering to vote

> Make any statement to an applicant or take any action the purpose or effect 

of which is to lead the applicant to believe that deciding to register, or not to 

register, has any bearing on the availability of services or benefits.

Installation Voter Assistance Office personnel should report any irregularities in the voting process to their 

department or agency headquarters’ voting assistance officers. Federally-employed voting assistance officers 

should refer to the Hatch Act, Title 5 U.S.C. Sec. 7321, link available at: www.fvap.gov.

Installation Voter Assistance Office personnel can advise 

citizens on locating information on candidates and issues. 

The primary source of information should be voters’ state 

and local election websites. Additional resources that may be 

useful include national, local, and Service newspapers, 

magazines, radio, television, political party and campaign 

committee offices, overseas newspapers and periodicals.

If voters are looking for information 

on candidates and issues, 

installation voter assistance office 

personnel should direct them 

to their local or state election 

websites.
Assisting Voters

Summary of Voter Assistance

Chapter 3 provided guidance on how to determine which form is appropriate for the applicant and how to assist 

them in completing the appropriate form.

Installation voter assistance office personnel need to be familiar with three forms:

> Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)

• Used by all uniformed service members, their family members, and overseas U.S. 

citizens to register to vote, update mailing address, or request an absentee ballot

> Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB)

• Used as a back-up ballot by uniformed service members, their 

family members, and overseas U.S. citizens

> National Mail Voter Registration Form (NVRF)

• Designed to serve civilians who reside in the U.S. in 

registering to vote or updating voter information

Installation voter assistance office personnel need to provide assistance with:

> Completing the forms

• Legibility and completeness are key components to ensuring 

that forms will be accepted by the election offices

• Both the FPCA and NVRF have State-specific instructions that need to be 

referenced when completing the forms. Installation Voter Assistance Office 

personnel must print a copy of the form and the State-specific instructions.

> Transmitting the forms

• The Installation Voter Assistance Office must transmit completed forms on behalf 

of the applicant. Using the online assistant for the FPCA quickly provides the 

necessary information to make certain of successful delivery. The State-by-State 

instructions for the NVRF provide the appropriate information, but postage is still 

necessary and must be provided by the Installation Voter Assistance Office.

• Transmission of the forms by the Installation Voter Assistance 

Office must occur within five calendar days

Installation Voter Assistance Office personnel need to be aware of restrictions of voting assistance

> Installation voter assistance office personnel must not attempt to influence or interfere 

with anyone’s voting rights, nor demonstrate or display any partisan stance

> Installation voter assistance office personnel can assist interested 

parties to find voting-related information
 | 35

Appendix A

Appendix A 

Directives & Legislation

Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 1000.04

Below is Page 1 of the DoDI. The full document can be found at http://www.fvap.gov/vao/guidance.html.

 Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI)

 1000.04

 October 31, 2019

SUBJECT: Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) References: Enclosure 1

1. PURPOSE. This Instruction:

a. Reissues DoD Directive (DoDD) 1000.04 (Reference (a)) as a DoD Instruction in accordance with the 

authority in DoDD 5124.02 (Reference (b)) to establish policy and assign responsibilities for the FVAP

in accordance with Executive Order 12642 (Reference (c)) and sections 1973ff – 1973ff-76 of title 42, United 

States Code (U.S.C.) (also known and hereinafter referred to as “The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens 

Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA)” (Reference (d))).

b. Establishes policy and assigns responsibilities for the development and implementation of installation voter 

assistance (IVA) offices in accordance with section 1566a of title 10, U.S.C. (Reference (e)).

c. Establishes policy and assigns responsibilities for the development and implementation, jointly with each 

State, of procedures for persons to apply to register to vote at recruitment offices of the Military Services in 

accordance with section 1973gg-5 of Reference (d).

d. Incorporates and cancels DoDD 1344.13 (Reference (f)) and Directive-Type Memorandum 10-021 
Appendix A

(Reference (g)).

2. APPLICABILITY. This Instruction applies to:

a. OSD, the Military Departments (including the Coast Guard at all times, including when it is a Service in 

the Department of Homeland Security by agreement with that Department), the Office of the Chairman of the 

Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of the Inspector General of the 

Department of Defense (IG DoD), the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and all other organizational 

entities within the DoD (hereinafter referred to collectively as the “DoD Components”).

Section 583 (b) of Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act

VOTER REGISTRATION ASSISTANCE FOR ABSENT UNIFORMED SERVICES VOTERS 

(a) DESIGNATION OF OFFICES ON MILITARY INSTALLATIONS 

AS VOTER ASSISTANCE OFFICES.

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 

2010 and under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense under subsection (f), the Secretaries of the 

military departments shall designate offices on installations under their jurisdiction to provide absent uniformed 

services voters, particularly those individuals described in subsection (b), and their family members with the 

following:

(1) Information on voter registration procedures and absentee ballot procedures 

(including the official post card form prescribed under section 101 of the Uniformed 

and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff).

(2) Information and assistance, if requested, including access to the Internet 

where practicable, to register to vote in an election for Federal office.

(3) Information and assistance, if requested, including access to the Internet where practicable, to update 

the individual’s voter registration information, including instructions for absent uniformed services 

voters to change their address by submitting the official post card form prescribed under section 101 

of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act to the appropriate State election official.

(4) Information and assistance, if requested, to request an absentee ballot under the 

Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff et seq.).

(b) COVERED INDIVIDUALS.

The individuals described in this subsection are absent uniformed services voters who— 

(1) are undergoing a permanent change of duty station;

(2) are deploying overseas for at least six months;

(3) are returning from an overseas deployment of at least six months; or

(4) otherwise request assistance related to voter registration.
 | 37

Appendix A

(c) TIMING OF PROVISION OF ASSISTANCE.

The regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense under subsection (f) shall ensure, to the maximum 

extent practicable and consistent with military necessity, that the assistance provided under subsection (a) is 

provided to a covered individual described in subsection (b)—

(1) if described in subsection (b) (1), as part of the administrative in-processing of the 

covered individual upon arrival at the new duty station of the covered individual;

(2) if described in subsection (b) (2), as part of the administrative out-processing of the covered 

individual in preparation for deployment from the home duty station of the covered individual;

Section 583 (b) of Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act

VOTER REGISTRATION ASSISTANCE FOR ABSENT UNIFORMED 

SERVICES VOTERS (a) DESIGNATION OF OFFICES ON MILITARY INSTALLATIONS 

AS VOTER ASSISTANCE OFFICES.

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 

2010 and under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense under subsection (f), the Secretaries of the 

military departments must designate offices on installations under their jurisdiction to provide absent uniformed 

services voters, particularly those individuals described in subsection (b), and their family members with the 

following:

(1) Information on voter registration procedures and absentee ballot procedures 

(including the official post card form prescribed under section 101 of the Uniformed 

and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff).

(2) Information and assistance, if requested, including access to the Internet 

where practicable, to register to vote in an election for Federal office.

(3) Information and assistance, if requested, including access to the Internet where practicable, to update 

the individual’s voter registration information, including instructions for absent uniformed services 

voters to change their address by submitting the official post card form prescribed under section 101 

of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act to the appropriate State election official.

(4) Information and assistance, if requested, to request an absentee ballot under the 

Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff et seq.).

(b) COVERED INDIVIDUALS.

The individuals described in this subsection are absent uniformed services voters who— 

(1) are undergoing a permanent change of duty station;

(2) are deploying overseas for at least six months;

(3) are returning from an overseas deployment of at least six months; or

(4) otherwise request assistance related to voter registration.

(c) TIMING OF PROVISION OF ASSISTANCE.

The regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense under subsection (f) must ensure, to the maximum 
Appendix A

extent practicable and consistent with military necessity, that the assistance provided under subsection (a) is 

provided to a covered individual described in subsection (b)—

(1) if described in subsection (b)(1), as part of the administrative in-processing of the 

covered individual upon arrival at the new duty station of the covered individual;

(2) if described in subsection (b)(2), as part of the administrative out-processing of the covered 

individual in preparation for deployment from the home duty station of the covered individual;

(3) if described in subsection (b)(3), as part of the administrative in-processing of the covered 

individual upon return to the home duty station of the covered individual; or

(4) if described in subsection (b)(4), at the time the covered individual requests such assistance.

(d) OUTREACH.

The Secretary of each military department, or the Presidential designee, must take appropriate actions to inform 

absent uniformed services voters of the assistance available under subsection (a), including—

(1) the availability of information and voter registration assistance 

at offices designated under subsection (a); and

(2) the time, location, and manner in which an absent uniformed 

services voter may utilize such assistance.

(e) AUTHORITY TO DESIGNATE VOTING ASSISTANCE OFFICES AS VOTER REGISTRATION AGENCY ON 

MILITARY INSTALLATIONS.

The Secretary of Defense may authorize the Secretaries of the military departments to designate offices on 

military installations as voter registration agencies under section 7(a)(2) of the National Voter Registration Act 

of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 1973gg–5(a)(2)) for all purposes of such Act. Any office so designated must discharge the 

requirements of this section, under the regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense under subsection (f).

(f) REGULATIONS.

The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe regulations relating to the administration of the requirements of this 

section. The regulations shall be prescribed before the regularly scheduled general election for Federal office 

held in November 2010, and shall be implemented for such general election for Federal office and for each 

succeeding election for Federal office.

(g) DEFINITIONS. 

In this section:

(1) The term ‘absent uniformed services voter’ has the meaning given that term in section 107(1) 

of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff–6(1)).

(2) The term ‘Federal office’ has the meaning given that term in section 107(3) of the 

Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff–6(3)).

(3) The term ‘Presidential designee’ means the official designated by the President under section 

101(a) of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 U.S.C.1973ff (a)).

Section 7 of National Voter Registration Act

VOTER REGISTRATION AGENCIES (a) DESIGNATION.
 | 39

Appendix A

(1) Each State must designate agencies for the registration of voters in elections for Federal office.

(2) Each State shall designate as voter registration agencies—

(A) all offices in the State that provide public assistance; and

(B) all offices in the State that provide State-funded programs primarily 

engaged in providing services to persons with disabilities.

(3)

(A) In addition to voter registration agencies designated under paragraph (2), each State 

shall designate other offices within the State as voter registration agencies.

(B) Voter registration agencies designated under subparagraph (A) may include—

(i) State or local government offices such as public libraries, public schools, offices of city 

and county clerks (including marriage license bureaus), fishing and hunting license 

bureaus, government revenue offices, unemployment compensation offices, and offices 

not described in paragraph (2)(B) that provide services to persons with disabilities; and

(ii) Federal and nongovernmental offices, with the agreement of such offices.

(4)

(A) At each voter registration agency, the following services shall be made available: (i) 

Distribution of mail voter registration application forms in accordance with paragraph (6).

(ii) Assistance to applicants in completing voter registration application 

forms, unless the applicant refuses such assistance.

(iii) Acceptance of completed voter registration application forms for 

transmittal to the appropriate State election official.

(B) If a voter registration agency designated under paragraph (2) (B) provides 

services to a person with a disability at the person’s home, the agency shall 

provide the services described in subparagraph (A) at the person’s home.

(5) A person who provides service described in paragraph (4) shall not—

(A) seek to influence an applicant’s political preference or party registration;

(B) display any such political preference or party allegiance;

(C) make any statement to an applicant or take any action the purpose or effect 

of which is to discourage the applicant from registering to vote; or

(D) make any statement to an applicant or take any action the purpose or effect 

of which is to lead the applicant to believe that a decision to register or not to 

register has any bearing on the availability of services or benefits.

(6) A voter registration agency that is an office that provides service or 

assistance in addition to conducting voter registration shall—
Appendix A

(A) distribute with each application for such service or assistance, and with each recertification, 

renewal, or change of address form relating to such service or assistance—

(i) the mail voter registration application form described in section 

1973gg-7 (a)(2) of this title, including a statement that—

(I) specifies each eligibility requirement (including citizenship);

(II) contains an attestation that the applicant meets each such requirement;

and

(III) requires the signature of the applicant, under penalty of perjury; or

(ii) the office’s own form if it is equivalent to the form described in section 1973gg-7 (a)

(2) of this title, unless the applicant, in writing, declines to register to vote;

(B) provide a form that includes—

(i) the question, “If you are not registered to vote where you live now, 

would you like to apply to register to vote here today?”;

(ii) if the agency provides public assistance, the statement, “Applying to register or declining to 

register to vote will not affect the amount of assistance that you will be provided by this agency.”;

(iii) boxes for the applicant to check to indicate whether the applicant would like to register or 

declines to register to vote (failure to check either box being deemed to constitute a declination 

to register for purposes of subparagraph (C)), together with the statement (in close proximity 

to the boxes and in prominent type), “IF YOU DO NOT CHECK EITHER BOX, YOU WILL 

BE CONSIDERED TO HAVE DECIDED NOT TO REGISTER TO VOTE AT THIS TIME.”;

(iv) the statement, “If you would like help in filling out the voter registration 

application form, we will help you. The decision whether to seek or accept 

help is yours. You may fill out the application form in private.”; and

(v) the statement, “If you believe that someone has interfered with your right to register or to 

decline to register to vote, your right to privacy in deciding whether to register or in applying to 

register to vote, or your right to choose your own political party or other political preference, you 

may file a complaint with XXXXX.”, the blank being filled by the name, address, and telephone 

number of the appropriate official to whom such a complaint should be addressed; and

 (C) provide to each applicant who does not decline to register to vote the same degree of assistance 

with regard to the completion of the registration application form as is provided by the office 

with regard to the completion of its own forms, unless the applicant refuses such assistance.

(7) No information relating to a declination to register to vote in connection with an application made at 

an office described in paragraph (6) may be used for any purpose other than voter registration.

(b) FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE SECTOR COOPERATION. All departments, 

agencies, and other entities of the executive branch of the Federal Government shall, 

to the greatest extent practicable, cooperate with the States in carrying out subsection 

(a) of this section, and all nongovernmental entities are encouraged to do so.

(c) ARMED FORCES RECRUITMENT OFFICES.

(1) Each State and the Secretary of Defense shall jointly develop and 

implement procedures for persons to apply to register to vote at 

recruitment offices of the Armed Forces of the United States.
 | 41

Appendix A

(2) A recruitment office of the Armed Forces of the United States shall be 

considered to be a voter registration agency designated under subsection 

(a)(2) of this section for all purposes of this sub-chapter.

(d) TRANSMITTAL DEADLINE.

(1) Subject to paragraph (2), a completed registration application accepted 

at a voter registration agency shall be transmitted to the appropriate State 

election official not later than 10 days after the date of acceptance.

(2) If a registration application is accepted within 5 days before the last day for registration 

to vote in an election, the application shall be transmitted to the appropriate 

State election official not later than 5 days after the date of acceptance.
Appendix B

Appendix B 

Job Aids & Handouts

Note: Installation voter assistance office personnel should offer to assist applicants in completing the voter 

registration forms and to transmit completed forms on behalf of the applicant.

Does the applicant currently reside outside of the U.S?

Is the applicant a member of the uniformed services?

Is the applicant a voting age spouse or dependent 

of a member of the uniformed services?

Applicant should complete the

 Federal Postcard Application

 (FPCA)

Is a computer with internet access and a

 printer available for the applicant to use?

Applicant should complete the

National Voter Registration Form

 (NVRF)

Is a computer with internet access and a

 printer available for the applicant to use?

The applicant can

use FVAP’s

online assistant to 

complete the FPCA.

The applicant can

use a hardcopy of the

FPCA and state 

specific instructions

 from the Guide.

Direct the applicant

to EAC website to

 complete the NVRF.

The applicant can

use a hardcopy of the

NVRF and attached 

instructions.

Submit to local election

 office within 5 calendar 

days. 

Contact information for 

election officials is in 

the Guide.

Mail to state election

 office within 5 calendar 

days. 

Contact information for 

state election offices are 

attached to the NVRF.

Choosing the Correct Form
 | 43

Appendix B

2013 Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) Quick Reference Guide

The Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) is for absent uniformed service personnel and their family members, 

as well as all overseas U.S. citizens, to apply to register to vote, to request an absentee ballot and/or to update 

their contact information with their local election office. Applicants should fill the FPCA out in January of each 

year, and again each time there is a change in contact information to successfully receive their ballot.

The FPCA is updated every 2 years; previous versions of this form are obsolete. Voting Assistance Officers can 

obtain the current form at FVAP.gov. If older editions are used and information is included as required, they will 

be accepted and processed by election officials.

Section 1

Check the box that describes you best. Then enter your current name. If you registered under a different 

name, write this information in the previous name area. Your date of birth is required.

You must provide either a state-issued ID number or the last four digits of your Social Security Number. 

If you do not have either of these numbers, you must write in Section 6: “I do not have a Social Security 

Number or state-issued ID number.”

Section 2 

Include the complete street address of your voting residence. You cannot use a post office box mailing 

address. If your address is a rural route, write a description of your voting residence in Section 6.

Election offices use your U.S. voting residence address to determine whether you are eligible to vote 

absentee, which offices and candidates you are eligible to vote for, and to send the correct ballot for your 

voting precinct. For overseas citizens, it is usually the last place you lived before moving overseas. This 

address is valid even if: you no longer have property or other ties to this state; your intent to return to that 

state is uncertain; or your previous address is no longer a recognized address.

If you cannot remember the address where you last resided, FVAP recommends checking old family 

correspondence, passports, or tax records. Election offices may also help identify your address.

Instructions

Federal Postcard Application (FPCA)

Section 3

Include your current mailing address, even if you are requesting your ballot be sent to you by email or 

online. Use the forwarding address space only if you want your election materials sent to a different 

address or have a mail forwarding address. If you are an overseas citizen, your current address must be 

located outside the United States.
Appendix B

 The FPCA can also be completed using the online assistant at https://www.fvap.gov/r3

FPCA Submission Checklist:

□ Look over the completed FPCA to ensure the applicant provided all the information required by 

the applicant’s State, including a complete voting residence address (no P.O. Box addresses).

□ Make sure that the information provided is clear and legible.

□ Check that the applicant signed and dated the application.

□ Look in the Voting Assistance Guide to determine if the applicant’s 

State allows the FPCA to be submitted by email or fax.

□ If mailing the FPCA through the U.S. Postal Service, (including APO/

FPO) or diplomatic pouch, it can be sent postage paid using the mail indicia 

available at fvap.gov (www.fvap.gov/eo/ overview/materials/forms).

□ If mailing the FPCA using a foreign country’s postal service, it requires postage 

and should have “USA” in the address line of the mailing envelope.

NOTE: Encourage applicants to contact their local election officials (LEOs) to confirm that their applications 

were successfully processed. LEOs will only contact voters if the form is not accepted.

Section 4

Include your contact information so your election office can contact you if they need additional 

information in order to process your FPCA. If you want to receive your absentee ballot by email/online, 

you must provide an email address.

Section 5

(A) All states allow you to receive your absentee ballot by mail or email/online. Select your preferred 

method of receiving your absentee ballot. (B) In many states, you must enter the name of the party whose 

ballot you want to receive to vote in primary elections.

Section 6

Provide any clarifying information that may assist your election office in approving your request. No 

witness or notary signature is required on this form for any state.

Section 7

Sign and date. 
 | 45

Appendix B

2018 Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) Quick Reference Guide

The Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) was designed for absent uniformed service personnel and their 

family members, as well as all overseas U.S. citizens, who completed and submitted a Federal Post Card 

Applicant (FPCA) in a timely manner but may not receive their ballot in time to return it by their State’s deadline. 

The FWAB was redesigned in 2018; previous versions of this form are obsolete. Voting Assistance Officers can 

obtain the current form at FVAP.gov. If older editions are used and information is included as required, they will 

be accepted and processed by election officials.

Section 1

Check the box that describes you best. Then enter your current name. If you registered under a different 

name, write this information in the previous name area. Your date of birth is required.

You must provide either a state-issued ID number or the last four digits of your Social Security Number. 

If you do not have either of these numbers, you must write in Section 6: “I do not have a Social Security 

Number or state-issued ID number.”

Section 2 

Include the complete street address of your voting residence. You cannot use a post office box mailing 

address. If your address is a rural route, write a description of your voting residence in Section 6.

Election offices use your U.S. voting residence address to determine whether you are eligible to vote 

absentee, which offices and candidates you are eligible to vote for, and to send the correct ballot for your 

voting precinct. For overseas citizens, it is usually the last place you lived before moving overseas. This 

address is valid even if: you no longer have property or other ties to this state; your intent to return to that 

state is uncertain; or your previous address is no longer a recognized address.

If you cannot remember the address where you last resided, FVAP recommends checking old family 

correspondence, passports, or tax records. Election offices may also help identify your address.

Instructions

Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB)

Section 3

Include your current mailing address. If you are an overseas citizen, your current address must be located 

outside the United States to ensure protections under federal law.
Appendix B

 The FWAB can also be completed using the online assistant at https://www.fvap.gov/r3

FWAB Submission Checklist:

□ Look in the Voting Assistance Guide to determine if the applicant’s 

State allows the FWAB to be submitted by email or fax.

□ If submitting by mail, the applicant should insert the voted ballot into the 

security envelope. The sealed security envelope and the Voter’s Declaration/

Affirmation form should be inserted into the mailing envelope.

□ If mailing the FWAB through the U.S. Postal Service, (including APO/

FPO) or diplomatic pouch, it can be sent postage paid using the mail indicia 

available at fvap.gov (www.fvap.gov/eo/ overview/materials/forms).

□ If mailing the FWAB using a foreign country’s postal service, it requires postage 

and should have “USA” in the address line of the mailing envelope.

NOTE: If an applicant’s State absentee ballot arrives after mailing the FWAB, the applicant should vote and 

return the State ballot immediately. If the State ballot arrives by the State’s deadline for ballot receipt, the State 

absentee ballot will be counted instead of the FWAB.

Section 4

Include your contact information so your election office can contact you if they need additional 

information in order to process your FWAB. If you want to receive your absentee ballot by email/online, 

you must provide an email address.

Section 5

(A) Choose “yes” if you would like to receive ballots for future elections. (B) All states allow you to receive 

your absentee ballot by mail or email/online. Choose your preferred method of receiving your absentee 

ballot. (C) In many states, to vote in primary elections, you must enter the name of the party whose ballot 

you want to receive.

Section 6

Provide any clarifying information that may assist your election office to approve your request. There 

may be state specific information you will need to provide. Please visit the FVAP.gov to see your state’s 

submission guidelines.

Section 7

Sign and date. 
 | 47

Appendix B

National Mail Voter Registration Form (NVRF) Quick Reference Guide

The National Mail Voter Registration Form (NVRF) is for a U.S. citizen who lives or has an address within the 

United States, to 1) register to vote in their State 2) report a change of name to their voter registration office 3) 

report a change of address to their voter registration office or 4) register with a political party. Uniformed service 

members, their families, and U.S. citizens overseas should use the FPCA.

Block 1

The applicant should fill in his name in this order—Last, First, Middle. Do not use nicknames or initials.

Instructions

National Mail Voter Registration Form (NVRF)

Block 3

If the applicant receives mail at an address other than the address in Block 2, put that address here.

Block 2

Put in the applicant’s legal home address. Do not put his mailing address here if it is different from their 

home address. Do not use a P.O. box or rural route without a box number

Block 6

Block 4 and 5 are self explanitory. In Block 6 federal law requires that states collect from each applicant 

an identification number. Refer to the state’s specific instructions regarding information on what number 

is acceptable for their state. Identification numbers typically include a driver’s license number or Social 

Security number.

Block 7

Political party preference is required in most states to participate in partisan primary elections. If the 

applicant does not want to register with a party, write “no party” or leave the box blank. Do not write in the 

word “independent” if they mean“no party”, because this might be confused with the name of a political 

party in their state.

Block 8

A few States ask race or ethnic group information in order to administer the Federal Voting Rights Act. If 

so, put the choice that best describes the applicant from the list below. To find out if a state asks for this 

information, see item 8 in the instructions for the specific state.

Block 9

After reading the affirmation, have the applicant sign and date the application. Remind the applicant that 

by signing the NVRF they are verifying their information under the penalty of perjury. 
Appendix B

How to Submit Your Application

 Mail your application to the address listed under your State instructions. Or, deliver the application in person to 

your local voter registration office. The States that are required to accept the national form will accept copies of 

the application printed from the computer image on regular paper stock, signed by the applicant, and mailed in 

an envelope with the correct postage.

First Time Voters Who Register by Mail

If you are registering to vote for the first time in your jurisdiction and are mailing this registration application, 

federal law requires you to show proof of identification the first time you vote. Proof of identification includes:

> A current and valid photo identification or

> A current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or 

government document that shows your name and address.

Voters may be exempt from this requirement if they submit a COPY of this identification with their mail in voter 

registration form. If you wish to submit a COPY, please keep the following in mind:

> Your State may have additional identification requirements which may mandate you show 

identification at the polling place even if you meet the federal proof of identification.

> Do not submit original documents with this application, only COPIES.

> American Indian or 

Alaskan Native

> Asian or Pacific Islander

> Black, not Hispanic Origin

> Hispanic

> Multi-racial

> White, not of Hispanic Origin

> Other
 | 49

Appendix B

FAQs – Installation Voter Assistance Office

Where should the installation voter assistance office be located?

The Installation Voter Assistance Office should be located in well-advertised, fixed location. This location 

should be physically co-located with an existing office that receives extensive visits by Service personnel, 

family members, and DoD civilians. The precise location of installation voter assistance offices will ultimately be 

determined by each of the Services and their installation commanders—consult your Service’s instruction for 

additional information.

What does it mean for the installation voter assistance office to be considered a Voter

Registration Agency?

According to the NVRA Section 7, a Voter Registration Agency must offer the following services:

> Distribute mail voter registration application form

> Assist applicants in completing the voter registration application 

forms, unless the applicant refuses assistance

> Accept completed voter registration forms to be sent to the appropriate election office

This means that each Installation Voter Assistance Office in the U.S. must be prepared to provide all civilians 

who have access to the Installation Voter Assistance Office with the National Mail Voter Registration Form 

(NVRF). Installation Voter Assistance Office personnel must be prepared to provide assistance in completing 

the form and mail the form to appropriate local election office within five days.

Additionally, as a voter registration agency, personnel staffing the installation voter assistance office shall not:

> Seek to influence an applicant’s political preference or party registration

> Display any such political preference or party allegiance

> Make any statement to an applicant or take any actions with the purpose or effect 

of discouraging or encouraging the applicant from registering to vote

> Make any statement to an applicant or take any action the purpose or effect of which is to

> Lead the applicant to believe that deciding to register, or not to register, 

has any bearing on the availability of services or benefits. 

What does it mean to establish an office that only offers voting services?

While the Installation Voter Assistance Office should be co-located with a frequently visited office, it should be 

set up with reporting, visual, functional, and personnel separation.

> Reporting Separation: While staffing the installation voter assistance office, 

personnel report directly to the installation commander—not to the office 

in which the installation voter assistance office is co-located.

> Visual Separation: The Installation Voter Assistance Office should be set-up in a well-defined space 

(room, desk, or cubicle) and should be clearly labeled as the Installation Voter Assistance Office.

> Functional Separation: The Installation Voter Assistance Office 
Appendix B

should only be used to provide voting services.

> Personnel Separation: While staffing the Installation Voter Assistance 

Office, personnel should provide exclusively voting services.

How many hours does the installation voter assistance office need to be staffed?

Individuals should be able to receive voting assistance during normal business hours. While the office does not 

require continuous staffing, personnel should be on call and in close proximity during business hours to provide 

voting assistance if needed. Refer to your Service instruction for additional information.

What are the staffing needs of the installation voter assistance office?

The installation needs to have enough personnel to fulfill the responsibilities of the Installation Voter Assistance 

Office. The number of personnel required to staff the office will vary based on how an individual Service 

chooses to execute the responsibilities of the office and the size and activity level of the installation. The staffing 

level is estimated at one to two full-time equivalents.

To whom does the installation voter assistance office report?

The Installation Voter Assistance Office and personnel staffing the office report directly to the installation 

Commander—even if geographically located in another office.

What’s the difference between the FPCA and the NVRF?

The FPCA is only to be used by uniformed services voters, their family members, or overseas U.S. voters. U.S. 

citizens that are not members of those groups should complete the NVRF. Additionally, submitting the FPCA 

serves as a request for an absentee ballot—submitting the NVRF does not.

Can the postage-paid envelope template provided for the FPCA be used to mail the NVRF?

No. The FPCA is postage paid under 39 USC 3406 which applies only to balloting materials used by uniformed 

services voters, their family members, or overseas U.S. voters.

How often should citizens submit an FPCA?

The military and overseas absentee ballot procedure only works when the local election office has

a valid address to mail an absentee ballot. This makes it important to notify the local election office whenever 

there is a change in the mailing address of uniformed service members, their family members, and overseas 

U.S. citizens to ensure timely delivery of election materials. Integrating the completion of an FPCA as part of 

activities that involve a change in mailing address (reporting, deploying, and returning from deployment) ensures 

that local election officials have accurate mailing information for all Service personnel.

In addition to updating voter registration information, the FPCA also serves as a request for an absentee ballot. 

For this reason, the FVAP recommends all uniformed service members, their family members, and overseas 

U.S. citizens submit an FPCA by January 15th of each year.
 | 51

Appendix B

Who can I contact if I have questions?

FVAP staff can be reached from 8:00am-4:00pm Eastern Time (U.S.), Monday-Friday. Messages can be left 24 

hours a day, 7 days a week.

Toll-free: 1-800 -438-8683 

Commercial: 703-588-1584

DSN: 425-1584

Email: vote@fvap.gov
Appendix B

FAQs – Voters

How do I register to vote?

To register to vote you must complete, sign, date, and mail the appropriate application form:

> Uniformed services members, their family members, and overseas citizens should register 

using the FPCA. The FPCA is available at www.fvap.gov/eo/overview/materials/forms.

> All other U.S. citizens should register using the NVRF. The NVRF is available at www.

eac.gov/assets/1/Page/National Mail Voter Registration Form - English.pdf.

How do I update my voter registration information?

The same application form that you use to register to vote can also be used to update your name and address 

with your voter registration office.

> For uniformed services members, their family members, and overseas citizens this form 

is the FPCA. The FPCA is available at www.fvap.gov/resources/media/fpca.pdf.

> For all other U.S. citizens the form is the NVRF. The NVRF is available at www.

eac.gov/assets/1/Page/National Mail Voter Registration Form - English.pdf

Where do I send my voter registration application form?

The application form must be submitted to the appropriate election office. The installation voter assistance office 

will submit completed applications to the appropriate office on behalf of the applicant.

> For uniformed services members, their family members, and overseas citizens, the FPCA should 

be submitted to your local election office. The FPCA is postage-paid in the U.S. mail system using 

either the cardstock hard copy or the postage-paid envelope template available at www.fvap.gov/

eo/ overview/materials/forms. Some States accept FPCAs submitted electronically (email or fax). 

Check the Voting Assistance Guide to see if electronic submission is allowed for your State.

> For all other U.S. citizens, the NVRF should be submitted to the State 

election office. The NVRF requires first-class postage.

Where is my legal voting residence?

> For uniformed services members, your legal voting residence is either the State or 

territory where you last resided prior to entering military service (Home of Record) OR 

the State or territory that you have since claimed as a legal residence. This is true even 

if many years have elapsed since you lived in the U.S., and you no longer maintain 

a residence in that State or territory, or if your intent to return is uncertain.

> For spouses of uniformed service personnel, your legal voting residence is either 

the State or territory where you last resided prior to your spouse entering military 

service OR the State or territory that you have since claimed as a legal residence. 

This may mean that you and your spouse have different voting residences.

> Minors typically assume the legal residence of either parent, and when 
 | 53

Appendix B

they become 18, they also have the option of establishing their own legal 

voting residence which can be different from either parent.

> For overseas citizens, your legal voting residence is usually the State or 

territory in which you resided immediately prior to leaving the U.S.

Can I use a P.O. Box as my voting residence address?

No. When you register to vote, your election official needs your previous residence address in order to 

determine your precise voting district. Your voting residence address must be a physical street or rural route 

address, or a location that you describe in detail—a P.O. Box address is not an acceptable voting residence 

address. You can use a P.O. Box as the address where you would like the election office to send your voting 

materials (Box 4 on the FPCA).

Can I vote in-person where I am stationed?

Uniformed service members and their family members can vote in-person if their current residence is their 

voting residence (even if that residence is on a military installation). Be advised that there may be legal 

obligations, such as taxation, if you change your State of residence. Therefore, consult a Judge Advocate 

General officer or legal counsel before changing your residence for voting purposes.

Can I vote absentee? How do I request an absentee ballot?

Uniformed service members, their family members, and overseas U.S. citizens can vote absentee in all Federal 

elections by submitting the FPCA as their request for an absentee ballot. Parents, children, or siblings who are 

not dependents, or spouses and dependents who are not absent from the place they are eligible to vote may 

not register to vote absentee using the FPCA. However, they may still be eligible to vote absentee depending 

on their State’s requirements and should contact their local election office for their State’s guidelines on voting 

absentee.

I’m in the Military but my family members are not; can they vote absentee?

It depends, eligible spouses and dependent family members (U.S. citizens, ages 18 years or older) of uniformed 

service members may vote absentee and should submit an FPCA to request an absentee ballot.

When should I request an absentee ballot for the General Election?

For the general election, FVAP recommends that you send your FPCA by August 15 to ensure that you receive 

your ballot in time to vote and return it to be counted.

Where do I send my request for an absentee ballot?

> For uniformed services members, their family members, and overseas citizens, the FPCA 

should be submitted to your local election office. The FPCA is postage-paid in the U.S. mail 

system using either the cardstock hard copy or the pre-paid envelope template available 

at www.fvap.gov/eo/overview/ materials/forms. Some States accept FPCAs submitted 

electronically (email or fax). Check the Voting Assistance Guide to see if electronic 

submission is allowed for your State. The installation voter assistance office will submit 

completed FPCAs to the appropriate election official on behalf of the applicant.

> All other U.S. citizens should contact their local election office or check their 
Appendix B

State election website for their State’s guidelines on voting absentee.

When mailing election materials, do I have to pay postage?

> The FPCA may be mailed for free from any U.S. post office, U.S. embassy or 

consulate, or APO/FPO mail facility. The hard copy FPCA on cardstock is printed 

to be postage-paid. If you use the online FPCA, you can print the postage-paid 

envelope template available at www.fvap.gov/eo/overview/materials/forms.

> The NVRF is not postage-paid and requires first-class postage. If submitted to the 

installation voter assistance office, the office will provide first-class postage.
 | 55

Appendix C

Appendix C 

Appendix C: Checklists

Checklist – Establishment of an Installation Voter Assistance Office

Designation

Has the office been officially designated as a Voter Registration Agency?

□ The installation commander has signed a written designation identifying the installation 

voter assistance office a Voter Registration Agency as defined by the NVRA.

Location

Has a fixed location been identified for the office?

□ The installation voter assistance office is located in an area that receives extensive 

visits by Service personnel, family members, and DoD civilians.

□ The installation voter assistance office is established as an office that only offers voting services.

Personnel

Have personnel been assigned to staff the office?

□ All Installation Voter Assistance Office personnel have a letter of designation.

□ All Installation Voter Assistance Office personnel received the 

FVAP Installation Voter Assistance Officer training.

Equipment/Materials

Are the required materials available in the installation voter assistance office?

□ A computer with internet access and a printer is available to print copies of the FPCA, FWAB, 

NVRF, and the instructions for those forms, including the Voting Assistance Guide.

Installation Awareness

Is the installation voter assistance office advertised to the installation community?

□ Telephone operators at the installation been provided with the contact 

information for the installation voter assistance office.

□ The installation website includes information on Installation Voter Assistance 

Office, including the hours of operation, location, and contact information.

□ The hours of operation and contact information are posted in and /or around the office location.

Other Steps

Are installation voter assistance personnel familiar with available resources?

□ Installation Voter Assistance Office personnel are familiar 

with the resources available at www.fvap.gov.

□ Contact information for local and State election offices is 

available in the Installation Voter Assistance Office
Appendix C

Checklist – Installation Voter Assistance Office Operations

Is the installation voter assistance office included in pre-existing processing activities?

□ Reporting personnel (military and civilian) and their voting age 

dependents are reminded to complete the FPCA or NVRF.

□ Deploying military personnel are reminded to complete the FPCA 

prior to, and again upon return from deployment.

□ All installation personnel (military and civilian) and their voting age dependents are reminded 

to complete the FPCA or NVRF when they update their address on the installation.

Does the installation voter assistance office provide written information on voter registration and absentee ballot 

procedures?

□ Copies of the FPCA, NVRF, FWAB, the instructions for those forms, and the Voting

□ Assistance Guide are available at the installation voter assistance office.

Are all installation voter assistance office personnel equipped to provide direct assistance to citizens in 

completing the FPCA, NVRF, or FWAB?

□ All Installation Voter Assistance Office personnel have received the FVAP 

installation voter assistance office training (either in-person or online).

Is the installation voter assistance office mailing completed forms within five days?

□ The office maintains an adequate supply of business envelopes and first-class postage. 

Is the installation voter assistance office maintaining monthly records of its activities?

□ The Installation Voter Assistance Office records are being submitted according 

to the protocol determined by the Service Voting Action Plan.

Checklist – Installation Voter Assistance Office Continuity Folder

The Installation Voter Assistance Office should maintain a continuity folder for personnel to reference. It should 

provide basic details on absentee voting procedures and contain anything that may assist personnel in carrying 

out the responsibilities of the installation voter assistance office.

□ Written designation establishing the installation voter assistance office as a Voter Registration Agency

□ Designation letters for all personnel staffing the installation voter assistance office

□ FVAP Installation Voter Assistance Office Training certificates for all designated office personnel

□ Contact information for installation voter assistance office and personnel in the office

□ Current Service Voting Action Plan

• Available from SVAO

□ Service Voting Instruction/Directives on Voting Assistance

• Available from SVAO or Service publications website

□ FPCAs and FWABs (Available at www.fvap.gov/eo/overview/materials/forms)

□ NVRFs for civilian voters (Available at www.eac.gov/assets/1/Page/
 | 57

Appendix C

National Mail Voter Registration Form - English.pdf)

□ Current Voting Assistance Guide (Available at www.https://www.fvap.gov/guide)

□ Materials for monthly reporting requirements

• Available from SVAO

□ Current Election Dates Calendar (Available at www.fvap.gov/vao/calendar.html)

□ DoD Directives 1000.04 and 1344.10 (Available at www.fvap.gov/vao/directives)

□ Training materials from FVAP Installation Voter Assistance Office 

Training (Available at www.fvap.gov/vao/training)

□ Installation Voter Assistance Office Handbook

• Available from www.fvap.gov