Complete Back-up Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot

If you requested an absentee ballot but have not yet received it, you can still vote by using the back-up Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB).

In order to be eligible to use this back-up ballot, you must:

• You must be a registered voter; AND
• Have applied for a regular ballot so the request is received by your local election official by the State deadline; or 30 days before the general election; AND
• Have not received the requested regular absentee ballot from the State.

Idaho allows you to use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) for voting in primary, special, run-off, and general elections for Federal, State, and local offices and non-candidate ballot issues.

Open Back-up Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot

(Opens in a new window and requires Adobe Reader 7)

What do I fill in?

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

Block 1: Idaho does not allow you to use this form for registration. Do not check the registration block.

Block 2: Select the category that describes you.

Block 3: Name (Last, First, Middle)

Block 4: Date of Birth

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: To vote in primary elections, you must enter your political party affiliation. If you want to vote for partisan contests in primary elections, you must affiliate with the Constitution, Democratic, Republican, or Libertarian party. If you are not affiliated with a political party, you are only entitled to receive an non-partisan ballot unless a party elects to open its primary to unaffliated voters. Political party affiliation is not required if only requesting absentee ballots for general elections.

Block 7: Complete street address of your Idaho 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

Idaho allows you to return the voted ballot by fax if a special declaration is made by the Secretary of State. 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 Idaho'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

Email

Idaho allows you to return the voted ballot by email if a special declaration is made by the Secretary of State. If you choose to email, it is recommended that you email the form directly to your local election official (email addresses can be found on Idaho's State Election website).

Open Fax/Email Coversheet

(Opens in a new window and requires Adobe Reader 7)

• Want to submit your Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot by fax? Remember that by faxing your voted ballot you are waiving your right to secrecy.
• If using our Electronic Transmission Service you must use the Fax 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.