The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) ensures eligible overseas citizens can apply to register to vote and Vote-by-Mail ballot. Members of the United States Uniformed Services and merchant marine; their eligible family member(s); and United States citizens residing outside of the country are covered under UOCAVA. Uniformed service members and their dependents residing in their voting jurisdictions are NOT covered under UOCAVA. Find more information about coverage under UOCAVA on the U.S. Department of Justice website.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) was created to implement the requirements of UOCAVA. FVAP works to ensure Service members, their eligible family members and overseas citizens are aware of their right to vote and provides resources and assistance that allow overseas and military citizens and their families to participate in elections from anywhere in the world.
You may register to vote and request a Vote-by-Mail ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA (Online Assistant or PDF) is the form that permits uniformed and overseas citizens to simultaneously register and request Vote-by-Mail ballots in the state or territory where you last resided immediately prior to departing the United States, even if you no longer maintain a residence in that state. If you reside outside the U.S., or you are an absent uniformed services voter, your ballot will be mailed to you at least 45 days before an election. The FPCA form is made available through the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP).
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TO REGISTER AND REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA:
- Send a completed FPCA to the Supervisor of Elections office so that it arrives not later than 29 days before the election.
- If you maintain a Florida residence, you will receive a ballot containing all local, state, and Federal races for which you are eligible to vote.
- If you are or were a registered voter and no longer maintain a Florida residence but you intend to return, you will receive a ballot with all state and Federal races.
- If you were never registered in Florida and no longer maintain a Florida residence but this is the last place you lived, you will receive a ballot for Federal races only.
- If you are already registered in Palm Beach County and you wish to request absentee ballots, send the completed FPCA to the Supervisor of Elections office so that it arrives not later than the Friday before the election. Alternatively, you can use any of our regular methods for requesting Vote-by-Mail.
- An FPCA application for an absentee ballot is effective for all elections through the next regularly scheduled general election.
- The FPCA does not require postage if mailed within the U.S. postal system, including all U.S. military post offices (APO/FPO) overseas as well as diplomatic pouches.
NOTE: BALLOTS ARE NOT FORWARDABLE - Be sure to provide your current mailing address.
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ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION OF BALLOTS
If you are an overseas voter, or are an absent uniformed services voter, you may request to receive your ballots by fax or e-mail.
Your request must include:
- Your Name;
- Your date of birth;
- Your county of residence; and
- One of the following:
- A return fax number, if the ballot is to be faxed.
- An APO/FPO or other deliverable overseas address, if the ballot is to be mailed.
- An email address if the ballot is to be emailed.
- Your signature (faxed request only)
If you request that your ballot be faxed, your request is valid only for the upcoming election, or the election you specify.
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CASTING YOUR BALLOT
You may return your voted ballot by mail, courier or fax. You cannot return your ballot via email, because state law requires an original signature on the ballot certificate envelope. Voted ballots must be received by 7 p.m. Election Day.
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LATE COUNTING OF OVERSEAS BALLOTS
If you are an overseas voter, the Federal portion of your ballot will be counted if the ballot envelope is dated or postmarked no later than the day of the election and received up to 10 days after a General Election or Presidential Primary Election.
Ballots that are returned by fax are not included in the late counting of ballots.