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.

Therefore, if you are a US citizen and are going to be overseas or if you are in the military and wish to vote-by-mail, there are special provisions for you to register and receive an overseas absentee/vote-by-mail ballot. To do this you may need to complete a "Federal Post Card Registration and Absentee Ballot Request," and mail it to your local county elections official.

Federal Post Card and Absentee Ballot Request (FPCA)
Click here for instructions and sample

Click here for FPCA Form

Click here for the Voting Assistance Guide

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, a request for an absentee/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 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 status and will be automatically sent a vote-by-mail ballot to vote in the next general election. However, if a permanent vote-by-mail voter fails to vote in two consecutive general elections, the voter will lose his or her status as a permanent vote-by-mail voter and must reapply.

Secretary of State Elections Division 1500 11th Street, 5th Floor Sacramento, CA 95814 Monday-Friday 8:00-5:00 PST 1-800-345-VOTE 916-657-2166 Fax: 916-653-3214 E-Mail: mov@sos.ca.gov

Federal Voting Assistance Program Department of Defense 1155 Defense Pentagon Washington, DC 20301-1155 Monday-Friday 7:30-6:00 EST Toll-free: 1-800-438-VOTE (703) 588-1584, DSN 425-1584 E-Mail: vote@fvap.ncr.gov       www.fvap.gov

Complete listing of California Counties and all contact information County Elections Officials

Upcoming Elections
June 3, 2008 - Statewide Direct Primary
November 4, 2008 - General Election

Frequently Asked Questions
Federal Voting Assistance Program Frequently Asked Questions (uniformed services members and citizens outside the US).
Is the number of overseas and military voters increasing?
Is this registration and absentee application only good for one election?
If a county office receives a "FPCA” but for any reason rejects that application, must the county inform the voter the reason for that rejection?
What are the telephone and fax numbers to use when overseas?

Report and Related Link
HAVA Absentee Ballot Report

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