www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html.
On-Line Version of the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot |
Federal Voting Assistance Program U.S. Department of Defense
|
Under the provisions of the
UOCAVA, the FVAP also provides a "back-up" ballot, called the Federal Write In Absentee Ballot, or FWAB, available if an absent uniformed services member or citizen outside the United States (including APO and FPO addresses) does not receive the regular absentee ballot from the state after having made a timely application for the ballot. The FWAB is used to vote for Federal offices (President/Vice President, U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, Delegate or Resident Commissioner) in general elections. Some states now allow military and overseas citizens to use the FWAB in elections other than general elections or for offices other than Federal offices. Again, the absent uniformed services member or citizen should consult Chapter 3 of the Guide for specific state or territorial requirements.
Generally, an absent uniformed services member or citizen outside the United States can only use the FWAB under very specific conditions.
THE ABSENT UNIFORMED SERVICES VOTER MUST:
THE CITIZEN OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES MUST:
The On-Line Version of the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (OFWAB) is an alternative to the multipart stocked Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB).
In summary, the FWAB or OFWAB is only valid when a regular ballot from the state or territory has already been requested, in a timely manner, and has not been received.
This form is in Adobe Acrobat 7.0 format. If you do not have Acrobat Reader 7.0 or higher, you can get it free from the Adobe web site at
www.adobe.com/prodindex/acrobat/readstep2.html
THE OFWAB IS NOW SAVABLE!
Using an Adobe Acrobat Reader version of 7.0, you can now complete the form online and save it to your own computer for future use.
When you open the OFWAB with Acrobat Reader, you will see the following message box:
Underneath this information is a check box that lets you turn off this message the next time you use Acrobat Reader.
Presently, the following states have expanded usage of the FWAB beyond the provisions of the UOCAVA:
1. Instructions for completing the
voter's declaration/affirmation
Block 1b. Some states may accept the Voter's Declaration/
Affirmation as a registration form if you have not registered previously in that jurisdiction. See the Voting Assistance Guide. For those states that do not accept the Voter's Declaration/Affirmation as a request form and you have not
previously submitted a Federal Post Card Application, your
ballot may not be counted.
Block 2. MY INFORMATION.
Block 2d. RACE. This information is requested from some states for statistical purposes by the Department of Justice in its enforcement of the Voting Rights Act and the National Voter Registration Act.
Block 3. MY VOTING RESIDENCE ADDRESS. Enter the complete legal voting residence address where you ACTUALLY LIVED in the state or territory. Your right to vote in your state and determination of your voting precinct depend on the physical location of your residence while you were in the state. DO NOT USE A POST OFFICE BOX NUMBER. In an area with no street names, indicate route name and number and box number. Also provide any additional information necessary to physically describe your residence location. This voting residence address must be the same as the voting residence on the application for your regular absentee ballot previously submitted.
Block 4. WHERE TO SEND MY VOTING MATERIALS.
Block 4a. Enter the complete mailing address where you are now living.
Block 4b. If you have an alternate address or an address of a mail forwarding service that delivers your mail more quickly, enter that address here.
Block 5. MY POLITICAL PARTY PREFERENCE. This is an optional entry, however, this information is required by most states in order to vote in primary elections. Consult the Voting Assistance Guide for any specific state
information required.
Block 6. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. Provide any information that may assist the local election official in accepting this ballot.
Block 7. AFFIRMATION. Ensure that you read the oath, sign, and enter the date you completed the form in the spaces provided. Not all states require a witness or notary, and state laws vary regarding the voting of convicted felons. Consult your state section of the Voting Assistance Guide or your Voting Assistance Officer for your state's requirements.
2. Instructions for completing and submitting the official Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot.
a. For each office for which you vote, write in either a candidate's name or political party designation. If your state permits, you may vote for other offices in the spaces provided
under the "ADDENDUM" section.
b. Once the ballot is complete, fold and place it in a blank envelope and seal--this will be the security envelope for the ballot.
PLACE ONLY THE VOTED BALLOT IN THE SECURITY ENVELOPE AND DO NOT WRITE ANY PERSONAL IDENTIFYING INFORMATION ON THE ENVELOPE.
For your convenience, FVAP has created a security envelope template that you may print out. The template and instructions are available at www.fvap.gov/pubs/fwabsecenv.html. If you prefer, you may print the words "SECURITY ENVELOPE" on the outside of the envelope containing the ballot.
c. Insert the sealed Security Envelope and the Voter's Declaration/Affirmation into another envelope and seal.
d. If mailed in U.S. Mail, APO/FPO or Diplomatic Pouch, affix proper postage. Alternatively, you may print the postage paid envelope form onto your mailing envelope. The form is in Adobe Acrobat format. You can get this form at www.fvap.gov/pubs/returnenvelope.html.
If mailed in a foreign postal system, international airmail postage must be
affixed.
In the return address section in the upper left hand corner of the mailing envelope, enter your name and current complete military or overseas mailing address. In the center of the mailing envelope (the "TO" section), enter the name and mailing address of your city, township, village, county or state election official. Consult the Voting Assistance Guide for correct address. This must be the same election official where you sent your application for an absentee ballot.
e. Some states allow the electronic transmission of FWABs. Consult the Voting Assistance Guide for your state or territory's
procedures.
Consult the Voting Assistance Guide for specific state and territorial procedures.
NOTE:The form is available as an Adobe Acrobat (.pdf). To read this file, you must have an Adobe Acrobat Reader Version 7 program to display them. If you do not have Acrobat Reader loaded on your computer, you can download it free from Adobe's web site:
www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html.
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Last updated/reviewed: November 29, 2007