Military & Overseas Voter Information

In 2002, the United States Congress passed the “Help America Vote Act of 2002” to reform the election process. Title VII of the Help America Vote Act focuses on the Voting Rights of Military Members and Overseas Citizens.

Many times, overseas military voters, their overseas spouses and dependents, and other registered voters residing abroad have a difficult time obtaining, voting, and returning their ballots by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. Pursuant to a new law, effective January 1, 2004, a request for an vote-by-mail ballot from an overseas voter will be regarded and processed as a request for permanent vote-by-mail status. (Ch. 347, Stats. 2003.) In addition, this same new law states that voters no longer have to re-apply for permanent vote-by-mail voter status if they fail to vote in a statewide primary election. These voters will retain their permanent vote-by-mail voter (PAV) status and will be automatically sent an vote-by-mail ballot to vote in the next general election. However, a permanent vote-by-mail voter must vote in the next general election or the voter will lose his or her PAV status.

Federal Post Card and vote-by-mail Ballot Request (FPCA)
Click here for instructions and sample

Click here for FPCA Form

Please note: according to California Election Code §3103(f), military and overseas voters may request for and return their vote-by-mail ballots to their county via fax.

In addition, pursuant to a new law effective January 1, 2004, a request for an vote-by-mail ballot from an overseas voter will be regarded and processed as a request for permanent vote-by-mail status . (Ch. 347, Stats. 2003.)

This same new law also states that voters no longer have to re-apply for permanent vote-by-mail voter status if they fail to vote in a statewide primary election. These voters will retain their permanent vote-by-mail voter (PAV) status and will be automatically sent an vote-by-mail ballot to vote in the next general election. However, a permanent vote-by-mail voter must vote in the next general election or the voter will lose his or her PAV status

Overseas vote-by-mail Ballot (Federal Post Card and vote-by-mail Ballot Request,)
click here