VOTING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Your Vote. Wherever You Serve.

Military life can take you far from your voting residence, but it doesn’t have to prevent you from participating in elections.

The Voting Assistance Program provides nonpartisan information and assistance to help service members, eligible family members, and other eligible voters understand registration, absentee voting, and voting requirements.

VOTER REGISTRATION ASSISTANCE

Get Ready to Vote
Get help understanding voter registration and where to find the forms and information you need to participate in upcoming elections.

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MILITARY ABSENTEE BALLOT REQUESTS

Vote From Wherever You Serve
Eligible military voters and family members can use the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to register and request absentee ballots from their voting jurisdiction.

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FEDERAL WRITE-IN ABSENTEE BALLOT

Your Backup Ballot
If you’re an eligible absentee voter and your requested ballot doesn’t arrive in time, the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) may provide a backup option.

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LOCAL VOTING ASSISTANCE

Find the Right Information
Get help finding state and local election information, deadlines, requirements, and the appropriate election office for your voting residence.

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YOUR PATH TO VOTING

1. REGISTER

GET STARTED

Determine your voting residence and make sure your voter registration information is current.

2. REQUEST

GET YOUR BALLOT

Eligible military and overseas voters can use the FPCA to register and request an absentee ballot. FVAP recommends submitting a new FPCA every January and whenever you move.

3. VOTE

COMPLETE YOUR BALLOT

Follow the instructions provided with your ballot and your state’s requirements, then return your completed ballot by the applicable deadline.

4. VERIFY

CHECK YOUR STATUS

Use your state or local election resources to check the status of your voted ballot when that service is available.

NEED HELP WITH ABSENTEE VOTING?

REGISTER & REQUEST

✓ Voter registration information
✓ Federal Post Card Application
✓ Absentee ballot requests
✓ Updating voter information

VOTE & RETURN

✓ Absentee voting information
✓ State-specific requirements
✓ Election dates and deadlines
✓ Ballot return information

GET ASSISTANCE

✓ Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot info
✓ Finding your election office
✓ State and local voting resources
✓ Voting assistance and referrals

HAVEN’T RECEIVED YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT?

The Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) serves as a backup ballot for eligible military and overseas voters who requested an absentee ballot but haven’t received it in time to meet their state’s deadline.

If your official absentee ballot arrives after you’ve submitted the FWAB, FVAP says you can complete and return the official ballot as well. Your election office will count only one.

QUESTIONS ABOUT VOTING?

Whether you need help registering, requesting an absentee ballot, finding your election office, or understanding the absentee voting process, Voting Assistance resources are available to help.