Complete Back-up Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot

Massachusetts 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. Feel free to use the FWAB to vote anytime before an election.

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: Massachusetts does not require voter 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: Enter your political party preference if you would like to vote in primary elections.

Block 7: 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 9. This address must be within the city or town 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 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). Include ballot, voter affirmation, and cover sheet with secrecy waiver. 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). Include ballot, voter affirmation, and cover sheet with secrecy waiver. If email not available, email to ets@fvap.gov.

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.