One of the most important aspects of overseas and military absentee voting is that the process is defined and protected by a federal law called the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA).
Because it’s a federal law, the requirements, features and benefits of the UOCAVA overseas voting program are fundamentally the same across all states and territories.
In contrast, domestic absentee voting laws are state-level, so each state has the right to define its own rules and requirements for eligibility to vote with an absentee ballot.
Overseas Absentee Voting is Easier
Yes, we believe we can confidently state that for many voters it is easier to vote by absentee ballot from overseas than domestically.
Core features of the overseas voting program that enhance its ease of use:
Most overseas voting actions can be completed online
The registration and ballot request form (FPCA) is uniform across all states and territories
The registration and ballot request form (FPCA) serves a dual purpose: a single form filed once in an election year will register you as an overseas voter, and request your overseas absentee ballot, simultaneously. For states that permit email ballot request, our process allows you to sign and send the request online through our system.
You can request to receive your blank ballot online or by post (or fax;-)
There is a remedy if your requested ballot does not arrive in time: use the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot which you can access online
No notarization requirements can be imposed
Further information:
See the Guide to Overseas Voting
See the FAQ on Top Overseas Voting Questions
See our Overseas Voting Explainer
See all Overseas Voting Tools and Services