Complete Back-up Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot

Texas allows you to use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) for voting in any general, special, primary, or runoff election for Federal office. If you have requested your absentee ballot, feel free to use the FWAB to vote anytime before an election. You may not need to fill out this entire form. Check out the instructions below to see what information your State requires.

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.a: Select the category that describes you.

Block 1.b: Texas does not allow you to use this form for registration. Do not check this box.

Block 2.a: Name (Last, First, Middle)

Block 2.e: Date of Birth

Blocks 2.f and 2.g: Enter your valid Texas Driver's License number, personal identification number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, OR your State voter registration number.

Blocks 2.h through 2.j: Recommended but not required. Provide your contact information to allow your local election official to follow up if more information is required.

Block 3.a through 3.e: Complete street address of your Texas voting residence. A post office box is not sufficient. If your address includes a rural route, describe its location in Block 6. This address must be within the county where you claim legal voting residence.

Block 4.a: Enter your current mailing address.

Block 5: Enter your political party affiliation if you are voting in a primary election.

Block 6: Provide any information that may assist the local election official in accepting this ballot or application.

Block 7: 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.

Overseas uniformed service members and their family members with access to Military Postal Service, may use the "Prepaid Expedited Mail - Label 11-DOD." This label is available at APO/FPO locations and can only be used for the general election. It provides expedited mail service up to seven days prior to the election. You can return your ballot with this label attached at any MPO/FPO, American embassy, or consulate. A portion of the label is retained by you for tracking your ballot through the U.S. Postal Service.

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

Texas allows you to return the voted ballot by fax if you are a member of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty overseas, or the spouse or dependent of the member, and you are casting the ballot from an area in which members of the Armed Forces are eligible to receive hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay, or that has been designated by the President of the U.S. as a combat zone.

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 Texas' Election website). 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

Open Fax Coversheet

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

• Want to submit your Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot by fax? Remember that by faxing your voted ballot you are waiving your right to secrecy.
• 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.