Complete Back-up Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot

Colorado allows you to use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) for registration and voting in general, special, or primary elections, or any other election coordinated by the County Clerk and Recorder.

• If using the FWAB simultaneously as a registration form, ballot request form, AND voted ballot, it must be received by the local election office by the registration deadline.
• If using the FWAB simultaneously as a ballot request form AND voted ballot, it must be received by the local election office by the ballot request deadline.
• If using the FWAB as a voted ballot ONLY, it must be received by the local election office by the ballot return deadline.

Open Back-up Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot

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What do I fill in?

Only the following blocks of the Voter's Declaration/Affirmation are required:

Block 1: Colorado allows you to use this form for registration. It must be submitted no later than 29 days before the election.

Block 2: Select the category that describes you.

Block 3: Name (Last, First, Middle). Enter any former name under which you were registered in Colorado.

Block 4: Sex

Date of Birth

Block 5: Provide your contact information to allow your local election official to follow up if more information is required.

Block 6: To vote in primary elections, you must enter your political party affiliation. If you are an unaffiliated voter and want to participate in a party primary, you must indicate which party ballot you want to receive. If you want to change your political party affiliation, submit a completed Federal Post Card Application indicating your new party preference to the local election official no later than 29 days prior to the election. Political party affiliation is not required if only requesting absentee ballots for general elections.

Block 7: Complete street address of your Colorado 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: Enter your current mailing address.

Block 9: Provide any information that may assist the local election official in accepting this ballot or application.

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

Once the ballot is complete, fold and place it in the security envelope and seal. Place only the voted ballot in the security envelope and do not write on the security envelope. Insert the sealed security envelope and the Voter's Declaration/Affirmation into the mailing envelope and seal.

Envelope Templates

Open Security Envelope Template

Open Postage-Paid Envelope Template

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The postage-paid envelope may be used 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

Mail

You must mail your back-up Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot to your local election official. Find your county or city in the address 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.

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 Colorado's State Election. 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

Email

Only Uniformed Services members and their family members outside the U.S. may email this form. Email the signed, scanned form directly to your local election official. Email addresses can be found on Colorado's State Election. 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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• Want to submit your Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot by fax or email? Remember that by faxing or emailing your voted ballot you are waiving your right to secrecy.
• If using our Electronic Transmission Service you must use the Fax/Email Coversheet.
• If you receive your State absentee ballot after submitting your Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot, fill it out and return it. The State absentee ballot will be counted instead of the back-up ballot if it's received in time.