Complete Back-up Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot
Fill out the Voter's Declaration/Affirmation and Ballot
Maine allows you to use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) for registration, ballot request, and voting in primary and general elections for Federal and State offices, and 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: Maine 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 Maine Driver's License number. If you do not have a Maine Driver’s License, enter the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you do not possess either of these identification numbers, write “none” and the State shall assign a number that will serve to identify you for voter registration purposes.
Block 5: Recommended but not required. Provide your contact information to allow the 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 are currently registered and want to change your political party affiliation and have been enrolled in the political party for at least three months, the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) must be received by the election official no later than 15 days before the election. If you are currently registered and have previously declined to indicate a political party and you now want to vote in a primary election, you must submit the FPCA to the election official any time before the election.
Block 7: Complete street address of your Maine 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 municipality where you claim legal voting residence.
Block 8: Enter your current mailing address.
Block 9: Provide any information that may assist the election official in accepting this ballot or application.
Affirmation: Sign and date. No witness or notary required.
Put Voter's Declaration/Affirmation and Voted Ballot into Envelopes
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
Submission Options
If you choose to mail your back-up Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot, you must send it to:
Bureau of Corporations, Elections, and Commissions
Division of Elections
101 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0101
Fax
If you will be unable to return your voted ballot by mail by the deadline, contact the Maine Division of Elections by fax at 207-287-5428 or toll-free in the U.S. to 1-877-443-1302 to receive authorizaton and instructinos to submit the FWAB electronically. 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
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If you will be unable to return your voted ballot by mail by the deadline, contact the Maine Division of Elections at UOCAVA.CEC@maine.gov to receive authorizaton and instructinos to submit the FWAB electronically. You may also use our Electronic Transmission Service by sending the form as an attachment to ets@fvap.gov.
(Opens in a new window and requires Adobe Reader 7)
Follow-up
- 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.