Request Registration/Absentee Ballot

The Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) registers you to vote and requests absentee ballots for the later of the next November general election or next Federal general election.

You may be already registered to vote. To check, go to Virginia'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 affiliation. If you want to change your political party affiliation, submit a completed FPCA indicating your new party preference to the local election official no later than the registration deadline for the primary election.

Block 3: Name (Last, First, Middle)

Block 4: Date of Birth

Your Social Security number is required. If you do not have a Social Security number, write “none.” Virginia will assign a number that will serve to identify you for voting purposes only.

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: Virginia allows Uniformed Service members and their families, as well as overseas citizens, to receive their 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. More transmission options may be available.

Block 7: Complete street address of your Virginia 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 city or county where you claim legal voting residence.

Block 8: Complete address where you want your ballot sent, usually where you live now.

Block 9: You must provide your complete Virginia residence address where you last registered and voted if applicable. If you have never voted, please write “I have never voted.” Enter the last day of residency at your Virginia voting residence address only if you have given up that address permanently or have no intent to return.

Uniformed Service members and their families must provide the service identification number of the member.

Uniformed Service members, Merchant Marine members, and their spouses and dependents must provide the branch of service, and grade or rank of the military member.

Overseas citizens should provide the name and address of their employer (if applicable). Virginia registrants who moved overseas for employment on or after July 1, 1999, may be eligible to vote in State and local elections. Provide any information that may assist the local election official in accepting this application.

Affirmation: Sign and date. No witness required except when you are unable to sign the application due to a physical disability or inability to read or write.

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 Virginia State Election website). You may also use our toll-free fax service:

Inside the U.S.? Fax to:
1-800-368-8683
(703) 588-2148
DSN 425-2148

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 Virginia State Election website. You may also use our Electronic Transmission Service by sending the form as an attachment to ets@fvap.gov.

Open Fax/Email Coversheet

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• Voted ballots may be returned by mail or by a commercial delivery service, but may not be delivered by a personal courier service or another individual who is not the voter.
• 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, Virginia provides an Early Absentee Ballot before general elections for governor, lieutenant governor or attorney general to any overseas Uniformed Service member, family member, or overseas citizen who will not be able to vote and return the regular absentee ballot by the ballot return deadline. To request it, you must return your FPCA no later than 90 days before the election and you must write in Block 9 either: “I am unable to vote in any other manner due to overseas military service. I request an Early Voting Absentee Ballot” OR “I am unable to vote in any other manner due to living in an isolated or extremely remote overseas area. I request an Early Voting Absentee Ballot.”