Complete Back-up Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot

Massachusetts allows you to use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) for voting in any election for local, State, and Federal offices. Feel free to use the FWAB to vote anytime before an election, even if you have not applied for a State absentee ballot. You may not need to fill out this entire form. Check out the instructions below to see what information your State requires.

If submitting the FWAB before 09/14/2010 you will be voting in Massachusetts' primary election. You will need to submit another FWAB after that date to vote in the November general election.

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.a: Select the category that describes you.

Block 1.b: Massachusetts does not require voter registration. Do not check this box.

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

Block 2.e: Date of Birth

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 Massachusetts 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 city or town where you claim legal voting residence.

Block 4.a: Enter your current mailing address.

Block 5: Enter your political party preference if you would like to vote in primary elections.

Block 6: Provide any information that may assist the local election official in accepting this ballot or application.

Block 7: 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.

Overseas uniformed service members and their family members with access to Military Postal Service, may use the "Prepaid Expedited Mail - Label 11-DOD." This label is available at APO/FPO locations and can only be used for the general election. It provides expedited mail service up to seven days prior to the election. You can return your ballot with this label attached at any MPO/FPO, American embassy, or consulate. A portion of the label is retained by you for tracking your ballot through the U.S. Postal Service.

Open Election Official Address List

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

Inside the U.S.? Fax to:
1-800-368-8683
(703)696-2148
DSN 426-2148

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

Email

If you choose to email, email the voted FWAB, along with your voter affirmation and cover sheet with secrecy waiver, as a scanned attachment directly to your Town or City Clerk (email addresses can be found on Massachusetts State Election website). If email not available, email to ets@fvap.ncr.gov. It will be forwarded to the local election office you indicate.

Open Fax/Email Coversheet

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• If you are sending your voted ballot via fax or e-mail, it must be received by Election Day, regardless of whether you are in the United States or overseas. If you are sending your voted ballot via mail and are within the US, the ballot must be received by the close of polls on Election Day.  If you are overseas and sending your ballot via the mail, your ballot for general or special elections must be received no later than 10 days after the election and postmarked by Election Day.
• 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.