Complete Back-up Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot

If you are a Military member (or eligible family member), or are an overseas civilian who is temporarily overseas, Maryland allows you to use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) for registration and voting in primary, special, 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.

If you are an overseas civilian who is permanently residing overseas, Maryland allows you to use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) for voting in primary, special, and general elections for Federal offices. 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: Maryland allows you to use this form for registration.

Block 2: Select the category that describes you.

Block 3: Name (Last, First, Middle)

Block 4: Date of Birth

Enter your valid Maryland Driver's License number, MVA identification card number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, OR your State voter registration number.

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: If you are using this form to register and wish to vote in primary elections, you must enter your political party affiliation. If you want to change your political party affiliation, indicate your new party affiliation and submit the FWAB no later than the registration deadline. Political party affiliation is not required for voting in general elections.

Block 7: Complete street address of your Maryland 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

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

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.

• 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.