What is UOCAVA?
The *Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act* is commonly referred to as *UOCAVA*. *UOCAVA* citizens are U.S. citizens who are active members of the Uniformed Services, the Merchant Marine, the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, their eligible family members and other U.S. citizens residing outside the United States. The law provides the legal basis for absentee voting requirements for federal offices.
What is the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)?
The FPCA (Federal Standard Form 76) allows *UOCAVA* citizens to register to vote and request an absentee ballot. This form is also used to update your contact information.
What is the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB)?
The FWAB (Federal Standard Form 186) serves as an emergency backup ballot for *UOCAVA* citizens. If you do not receive your absentee ballot from your state in time to return it to your election official to participate in the election, use the FWAB.
What is the DoD Fax Service?
The DoD Fax Service is for those voters who cannot send their election materials directly to their election officials. To fax your election materials, use the "Transmission Cover Sheet" found in Chapter 1 or online at FVAP.gov and fax to: (703) 693-5527, DSN 223-5527 or toll-free from the U.S., Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands to 1-800-368-8683 or check FVAP.gov for international fax numbers. If you need to send your election materials to your election official by fax, but do not have access to a fax machine, you can email them to fax@fvap.gov and FVAP will fax your election materials for you. **This service is fax only.** If your state accepts your election materials by email you should email them directly to your election official. FVAP will not transmit email-to-email transactions.
What is the Prepaid Mail Label 11- DoD?
*Overseas Uniformed Service members* can use this label for general election absentee ballots. It provides free express mail service to your election official for general election absentee ballots. You can request to have a Prepaid Mail Label 11-DoD applied to your absentee ballot at Military Postal Office locations (APO/FPO). Keep part of the tracking label to track your absentee ballot through the U.S. Postal Service.
What is a primary election?
A primary election is an election held before the general election to determine the candidates that can be placed on the general election ballot.
I am an American citizen, but I have never lived in the U.S., can I vote in this state?
A U.S. citizen who has never resided in the U.S., and has a family member who was last domiciled in Washington, is eligible to vote in Washington.
I am a National Guardsman activated on state orders; does my state afford me UOCAVA privileges?
No.
How can I check the status of my ballot?
You can check the status of your absentee ballot here:
[https://www.votewa.gov](https://www.votewa.gov)
Does my state have any online tools?
You can see if your state has any online tools available here:
[https://www.fvap.gov/washington](https://www.fvap.gov/washington)