Complete Back-up Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot

If you requested an absentee ballot but have not yet received it, you can still vote by using the back-up Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB).

In order to be eligible to use this back-up ballot, you must:

• You must be a registered voter; AND
• Have applied for a regular ballot so the request is received by your local election official by the State deadline; or 30 days before the general election; AND
• Have not received the requested regular absentee ballot from the State.

Tennessee allows you to use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) for all elections in which you are eligible to vote.

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: Tennessee allows you to use the FWAB as a temporary registration and absentee ballot request.

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: AI = American Indian or Alaskan Native; AP = Asian or Pacific Islander not Native Hawaiian; B = Black, not of Hispanic Origin; H = Hispanic; M = Multi-racial; NH = Native Hawaiian; W = White, not of Hispanic Origin; O = Other.

Date of Birth

Social Security Number. If you have never been issued a Social Security number, write "none".

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 vote in primary elections, you must enter your political party affiliation. If you want to change your political party affiliation, submit a completed Federal Post Card Application indicating your new party affiliation to the local election official no later than the registration deadline.

Block 7: Complete street address of your Tennessee 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. If you required assistance completing your FWAB, one person must witness and sign.

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.