Complete Back-up Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot

South Carolina allows you to use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) for registration and 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: South Carolina allows you to use this form for registration.

Block 2: Select the category that describes you.

Block 3: Name (Last, First, Middle)

Block 4: Sex

Requested but not required. Enter the choice that best describes you from the following list: B/AA = Black/ African American; H = Hispanic; A= Asian; W = White; N= Native American; O = Other.

Date of Birth

Social Security 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 preference, submit a completed Federal Post Card Application indicating your new party preference to the local election official.

Block 7: Complete street address of your South Carolina 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

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 South Carolina 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 signed form directly to your local election official. Email addresses can be found on South Carolina Election website. You may also use our Electronic Transmission Service by sending the form as an attachment to ets@fvap.gov.

Open Fax/Email Coversheet

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• Want to submit your Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot by fax or email? Remember that by faxing or emailing your voted ballot you are waiving your right to secrecy.
• 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.
• To check the status of the receipt of your absentee ballot, check South Carolina's tracking webpage: https://info.scvotes.sc.gov/eng/voterinquiry/VoterInformationRequest.aspx?PageMode=VoterInfo