The following is the instructions to election officials from the printed Federal Write-In Ballot (FWAB). These instructions apply to both the paper and online versions of the FWAB.

" This is an official Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) authorized by 42 USC 1973 ff-2.

1. Upon receipt of this ballot, examine the voter's declaration. If it appears that the voter is eligible to vote in your jurisdiction and has applied in a timely fashion for a regular absentee ballot, or this requirement has been waived by appropriate authority, then this ballot is valid unless you receive the voted regular absentee ballot in time for it to be counted. This ballot should be handled in the same manner as required by state law for other absentee ballots. If this ballot is to be counted, deposit the voted ballot in the ballot box without examining the voter's choice.

2. The oath on this ballot is self-executing and need not be notarized or witnessed, unless required by state law.

3. Unless provided by law, or special provisions have been made, this ballot should not be counted if:

• a. It was submitted by a member of the Uniformed Services (or eligible dependent) not absent from his or her voting jurisdiction; or
  
• b. It was submitted from within the United States (an APO/FPO address is considered outside the U.S.) by a citizen who is neither a Uniformed Services member, member of the Merchant Marine, or a dependent of a Uniformed Services or Merchant Marine member; or
  
• c. This voter's application for a regular absentee ballot was received by you less than 30 days prior to the election, or later than required by state law for receipt of application, whichever is later; or
  
• d. You received this voter's completed regular absentee ballot by the state deadline for receipt of absentee ballots; or
  
• e. This ballot was not received by the state deadline for receipt of voted absentee ballots."

Last updated/reviewed: November 26, 2007