17 Jun 1998 Special Ballot Helps Overseas Members Vote By Master Sgt. Overseas voters not receiving their regular state absentee ballots in time may still cast their votes for federal office candidates. Using the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot, military voters, their eligible family members and DoD employees can still vote in federal elections. Normally the write-in ballot includes only federal offices. It does not include all state and local offices that a regular state absentee ballot includes.
Absentee write-in ballots are available through military voting assistance offices worldwide.
Phyllis Taylor, Federal Voting Assistance Program director, said there are several requirements in using the form. Virginia is the lone exception. For voting purposes, Alaska, American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands are inside the United States. Virginia residents on military or merchant marine duty may use the ballot if normal duty is outside their city or county residence. Military spouses and eligible family members also qualify.