Request Registration/Absentee Ballot

You may not need to fill out this entire form. Check out the instructions below to see what information your State requires.

Open Voter Registration/Absentee Ballot Request

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What do I fill in?

Only the following blocks are required:

Block 1: Select the category that describes you.

Block 2.a: Name (Last, First, Middle)

Block 2.e: Date of Birth

Blocks 2.f and 2.g: Your valid California Driver's License Number OR the last four digits of your Social Security Number is required for voter registration. If you do not possess either of these identification numbers, the State shall assign a number that will serve to identify you for voter registration purposes.

Blocks 2.h through 2.j: Recommended but not required. Provide your contact information to allow your local election official to follow up if more information is required.

Block 3.a through 3.e: Complete street address of your California voting residence. A post office box is not sufficient. If your address includes a rural route, describe its location in Block 6. This address must be within the county where you claim legal voting residence.

Block 4.a: Complete address where you want your ballot sent, usually where you live now.

Block 4.c: California allows you to receive your ballot by mail. You may also receive your ballot by fax only if you are an overseas Uniformed Service member or family member or overseas citizen. Check how you would like to receive your absentee ballot (mail or fax). Provide your fax number in Block 2. If you do not make a selection, then your local election official will mail your ballot to you.

Block 5: Enter your political party affiliation. If you do not wish to register with any party, enter “decline to state.” California law allows “decline to state” voters to vote a party ballot at a primary election if the political party allows it. Find out which political parties allow this at www.sos.ca.gov. If you want to change your political party, submit a completed FPCA indicating your new party preference to the local elections official no later than 15 days before the election.

Block 6: The Federal Post Card Application registers you to vote and requests absentee ballots for all regularly scheduled Federal elections for the calendar year in which it is submitted. If you do not wish to receive ballots for that length of time, you may request a ballot for each election for Federal office held. Provide any information that may assist the local election official in accepting this application.

Block 7: Sign and date. No witness or notary required.

Mail

You must mail your Voter Registration/Absentee Ballot Request to a specific election official. Find your county or city in the list below to locate your election official.

Open Election Official Address List

Don't know your county? Go to the county finder.

Don't know your zip code? Go to the United States Postal Service website.

Optional: You may be able to use the Postage-Paid Envelope Template.

Open Postage-Paid Envelope Template

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The postage paid envelope may be used if mailed in the U.S. Postal System, which includes all U.S. Military post offices (APO/FPO) overseas or through the diplomatic pouch available at U.S. embassies/consulates. Affix appropriate postage if using international mail. Template must be printed on a number 10 or larger envelope.

Fax

If you choose to fax, it is recommended that you fax the form directly to your local election official (fax numbers can be found on California's State Election website). You may also use our toll-free fax service:

Inside the U.S.? Fax to:
1-800-368-8683
(703)-693-5527
DSN 223-5527

Outside the U.S.? Show me a list of toll-free fax numbers.

Open Fax Coversheet

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• Want to return your voted ballot by fax? Only overseas Uniformed Service members may return their ballots by fax. See Step 2 for instructions.
• If you have not received your absentee ballot in a timely manner use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot.
• In addition to mailing a regular ballot, California provides a State Special Absentee Voter Ballot up to 60 days before the election to any voter unable to vote in the regular vote-by-mail process due to military or other contingencies. This ballot allows you to vote for local, State and Federal offices. To request it, write in Block 6: “I cannot vote by mail during the normal vote-by-mail period due to military or other contingencies that preclude normal mail delivery. [Specify reason(s).] I request a special absentee ballot.”