Uniformed service personnel or United States citizens who are temporarily living outside their place of residence for an extended period of time are eligible to register to vote as well as request an Absentee ballot. Examples of those who would fall into this category are:

Military service Merchant marine Overseas employment Overseas study program Volunteering overseas Family relationship Spouses and dependents residing with the active duty military member or merchant marine

You must complete a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to register to vote and request an Absentee ballot.

If you are a United States citizen permanently residing outside of the U.S., you are eligible to vote for federal elections only (President, Vice-President, U.S. Senator, Representative of Congress). The Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) is required to register to vote and to request an Absentee ballot. Please Note: You may request that your application be valid for the next two regularly scheduled general elections.

FPCA Forms: Federal Post Card Application forms are available at any Voting Assistance Office on a military base, any American Embassy or Consulate, any Voter Registration Office in the U.S., and online from Virginia's State Board of Elections (www.sbe.virginia.gov). Virginia does not require the FPCA to have a notary's signature.

If your requested state absentee ballot has not arrived in time to ensure delivery by the state's deadline, you may use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (provided you are qualified overseas or active duty military). Please make sure that your Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot is signed and properly witnessed. Also, be certain to provide your printed name and address AND the printed name and address of your witness.

Please contact our office if you have any questions.