Military & Overseas Voting

Registering And Voting Absentee

Members of the United States uniformed services on active duty and the Merchant Marine, their spouses and dependents, and United States citizens residing outside of the United States may apply for voter registration or request an absentee ballot with a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), obtained from a Voting Assistance Officer or through the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP). The Federal Post Card Application request for an absentee ballot will be effective for all elections through the next two regularly scheduled general elections. If the FPCA is not available, phone or send a written request by mail, fax, or e-mail to the supervisor of elections and a voter registration application or absentee ballot will be sent to you.

Absentee Ballot Delivery and Return Options

If you are overseas, you may have your absentee ballot either faxed or e-mailed to you, in lieu of receiving it by regular mail. Once your absentee ballot is voted, you may either return it by fax or you may mail it to the supervisor of elections so that it is received no later than 7 p.m. on election day. Voted ballots returned by e-mail will not be accepted. Carefully follow the instructions sent to you with your absentee ballot to ensure that it is counted. You must be sure to not only sign, but DATE the absentee ballot envelope to ensure that your ballot is counted.

Candidate Information via Email

If an overseas voter’s request for an absentee ballot includes an e-mail address, the supervisor of elections will inform the voter of the names of candidates who will be on the ballots via e-mail. The supervisor of elections will e-mail to the voter the list of candidates for the primary and general election not later than 30 days before each election.

Additional Information

Additional information for military and overseas voters is available from Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) or by contacting:

Director

Federal Voting Assistance Program Office of the Secretary of Defense Washington Headquarters Services

1155 Defense Pentagon

Washington, D.C. 20301-1155

FVAP Fax 703-588-0108

Email [email protected]

Toll-free 800-438-8683

See Florida Statutes sections 101.6952 and 101.697

State Write-in Ballot

An overseas voter may request, not earlier than 180 days before a general election, a state write-in absentee ballot from the supervisor of elections in the county of registration. In the request, the voter must indicate that due to military or other contingencies that preclude normal mail delivery, the voter cannot vote an absentee ballot during the normal absentee voting period. In completing the ballot, the overseas voter may designate his or her choice by writing in the name of the candidate or by writing in the name of a political party, in which case the ballot must be counted for the candidate of that political party, if there is such a party candidate on the ballot. (see section 101.6951, Florida Statutes)

See Florida Statutes section 101.6951

Late Registration

An individual or accompanying family member who has been discharged or separated from the uniformed services, Merchant Marine, or from employment outside the territorial limits of the United States, after the book closing for an election pursuant to section 97.055, Florida Statutes, who is otherwise qualified, may register to vote in such election at the office of the supervisor of elections until 5:00 p.m. on the Friday before that election. Such persons must produce sufficient documentation showing evidence of qualifying for the late registration pursuant to this section.

See Florida Statutes section 97.0555