Military & Overseas Voters

The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) provides resources and assistance that allow overseas and military citizens and their families to participate in elections from anywhere in the world. On their site, you'll find a Voting Assistance Guide, as well as important forms, including the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) and the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB). You'll also find an explanation of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA).

• Federal Voting Assistance Program
• Voting Assistance Guide
• Federal Post Card Application
• Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot
• Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act

The Federal Post Card Application is the form that permits uniformed and overseas citizens to simultaneously register and request Vote By Mail ballots in the state or territory where they last resided immediately prior to departing the United States, even if they no longer maintain a residence in that state. If you reside outside the U.S., or you are an absent uniformed services voter, your ballot will be mailed at least 45 days before an election.

To register and request an absentee ballot in the State of Florida:

Late Registration

If you or a family member have been discharged or separated from the Uniformed Services, Merchant Marine, or from employment outside the territorial limits of the United States, you may register after the registration deadline for an election until 5 p.m. on the Friday before that election. 

If you are an overseas voter, or are an absent uniformed services voter, you may request to receive your ballots by fax or e-mail.

You may also request a Vote by Mail ballot online and download your UOCAVA Ballot PDF.

Your request must include:

1. Your Name
2. Your date of birth
3. Your county of residence
4. One of the following: 
5. A return fax number, if the ballot is to be faxed.
6. An APO/FPO or other deliverable overseas address, if the ballot is to be mailed. 
7. An email address if the ballot is to be emailed
8. Your signature (faxed request only) 
9. If you want your ballot to be faxed, your request is valid only for the upcoming election or the one election you specify.
   

Overseas voters who cannot be reached to deliver an absentee ballot in time for the General Election may request a state write-in ballot not earlier than 180 days before an election. Your request must state that due to military or other contingencies that preclude normal mail delivery, you cannot vote an absentee ballot during the normal absentee period. State write-in ballots will be mailed between 90 and 180 days prior to the General Election.

The Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot is a back-up ballot that may be used for Federal races only if all of these conditions apply:

1. You are located outside the United States, including APO and FPO addresses.
2. You have applied for a regular absentee ballot early enough so that we have received your request at least 30 days before the election. The FPCA may be used to request your regular Florida absentee ballot.
3. You have not received the requested regular Florida absentee ballot.
   
   

You may return your voted ballot by mail, courier or fax. You cannot return your ballot via email, because state law requires an original signature on the ballot certificate envelope. Voted ballots must be received by 7 p.m. Election Day.

If you are an overseas voter, the Federal portion of your ballot will be counted if the ballot envelope is dated or postmarked no later than the day of the election and received up to 10 days after a General Election or Presidential Primary Election.

Ballots that are returned by fax are not included in the late counting of ballots.