Request Registration/Absentee Ballot

The Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) registers you to vote and requests absentee ballots for all regularly scheduled Federal elections for the calendar year in which it is submitted. Voters should submit a new application after January 1 of each year to qualify for all upcoming Federal elections.

You may be already registered to vote. To check, go to South Carolina's voter registration verification website. Even if you are registered to vote, you still need to complete the form to receive an 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: To vote in primary elections, you must enter your political party preference to ensure you receive that party's ballot. If you want to change your political party preference, submit a completed FPCA indicating your new party preference to the local election official. Political party preference is not required if only requesting absentee ballots for general elections.

Block 3: Name (Last, First, Middle)

Block 4: For Race, enter the choice that best describes you from the following list: B/AA = Black/ African American; H = Hispanic; A=Asian; W = White; N= Native American; O = Other.

Date of Birth

Social Security Number

Block 5: Recommended but not required. Provide your contact information to allow your local election official to follow up if more information is required.

Block 6: South Carolina allows you to receive your absentee ballot by mail, email, or fax. Please rank your preference of how you would like to receive your absentee ballot. Provide your email address or fax number in Block 5. If you do not make a selection, then your local election official will mail your ballot to you.

Block 7: Complete street address of your South Carolina voting residence. A post office box is not sufficient. If your address includes a rural route, describe its location in Block 9. This address must be within the county where you claim
legal voting residence.

Block 8: Complete address where you want your ballot sent.

Block 9: In addition to mailing a regular ballot, South Carolina provides a State Write-In Absentee Ballot to any voter unable to vote using the regular absentee voting process due to military service or due to living in extremely remote areas. This ballot allows you to vote for Federal offices, State offices, and members of the South Carolina General Assembly. You must request this ballot 90 or less days before the election. To request it, write in Block 9: “I am unable to vote by regular absentee ballot or in person due to requirements of military service or due to living in isolated or extremely remote areas of the world. I request a special write-in absentee ballot.”

Provide any information that may assist the local election official in accepting this application.

Affirmation: Sign and date. No witness or notary required.

Mail

You must mail your Voter Registration/Absentee Ballot Request to your local 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 South Carolina Election website). You may also use our toll-free fax service. To use the Electronic Transmission Service, complete the Fax/Email Coversheet and fax the coversheet along with your form to:

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.

Email

If you choose to email, email the signed form directly to your local election official. Email addresses can be found on South Carolina Election website. You may also use our Electronic Transmission Service by completing the Fax/Email Coversheet (Opens in a new window and requires Adobe Reader 7) and sending both forms as attachments to ets@fvap.gov. 

• Want to return your voted ballot by fax or email? See Step 2 for fax instructions or email your ballot directly to your local election official (email addresses can be found on South Carolina Election website). You may also use our Electronic Transmission Service by sending the form as an attachment to ets@fvap.gov.
• 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, South Carolina provides a State Write-In Absentee Ballot to any voter unable to vote using the regular absentee voting process due to military service or due to living in extremely remote areas. This ballot allows you to vote for Federal offices, State offices, and members of the South Carolina General Assembly. You must request this ballot 90 or less days before the election. To request it, write in Block 6: "I am unable to vote by regular absentee ballot or in person due to requirements of military service or due to living in isolated or extremely remote areas of the world. I request a special write-in absentee ballot."
• To check the status of your voter registration and/or ballot request, check South Carolina's tracking webpage: https://info.scvotes.sc.gov/eng/voterinquiry/VoterInformationRequest.aspx?PageMode=VoterInfo