The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) works to ensure service members and their eligible family members are aware of their right to vote and have the tools and resources to successfully do so from anywhere in the world.

The Director of FVAP administers the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) on behalf of the Secretary of Defense. UOCAVA, as amended by the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act, requires states to transmit requested absentee ballots to UOCAVA voters no later than 45 days before a federal election.

FVAP assists voters through partnerships with the Military Services, Department of State, Department of Justice, election officials from 50 states, U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia.

All National Guard Service members on Federal Active Duty and their eligible family members who live outside their voting jurisdiction are eligible for the Federal Voting Assistance Program.

How To Vote Absentee

Register to vote and request your ballot in one easy step

Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) and send it to your election office.

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

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

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

Fill out and send in your ballot when it arrives.

For the General Election, you should receive your ballot by early October.

Vote and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it. Check the deadline for your ballot based on your state. The Military Postal Service (MPS) also has recommended mailing dates. 

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

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

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

Federal Voting Assistance Program Homepage
https://www.fvap.gov/

Federal Voting Assistance Program Residency Fact Sheet
https://www.fvap.gov/uploads/FVAP/Outreach-Materials/FVAP_VotingResidence_Military.pdf

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

Army Voting Assistance Program
https://www.fvap.gov/info/contact/iva-offices?serviceId=1

Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA)
https://www.justice.gov/crt/uniformed-and-overseas-citizens-absentee-voting-act

Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act
https://www.eac.gov/sites/default/files/document_library/files/Military-and-Overseas-Voter-Empowerment-%E2%80%9CMOVE%E2%80%9D-Act.pdf

Army Regulation 608–20: Army Voting Assistance Program
https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN30110-AR_608-20-000-WEB-1.pdf