Other Available Absentee Voting Alternatives
Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB)
A FWAB is a completely blank write-in ballot that does not contain any offices or candidates' names. FWABs can only be used for federal elections.
You may vote a FWAB if you requested a regular absentee ballot more than 14 days prior to election day but have not received it.
You must be outside the U.S. or on active duty outside the your county of residence to vote a FWAB.
If returned by mail, the FWAB must be clearly postmarked by the day before the election and received by the county auditor by noon on the Monday following the election. If returned by fax or email, the FWAB must be received by the time the polls close on election day.
FWABs are available on FVAP's website and are also distributed at U.S. embassies, consulates and military bases.
Proxy Absentee Ballot Request
A proxy request is an absentee ballot request submitted on behalf of a military/UOCAVA voter by a family member for the general election only. Only certain family members of the voter may submit a request. They include:
- Spouse,
- Parent,
- Parent-in-law
- Adult sibling, or
- Adult child.
The family member must live in the same county of the voter’s residence.
Proxy requests can only be used for the general election. The request must be sent to the voter’s county auditor. They cannot be made until than 70 days before the election (Tuesday, August 28, 2012) and must be received by the ballot request deadline.
Special Write-In Absentee Ballot
Military and overseas voters who are or will be outside the continental U.S. may request this type of ballot when they cannot receive or return their absentee ballot by normal mail delivery during the usual absentee voting period.
The ballot will not include any candidates’ names printed on it, and the voter must write the names of candidates they wish to vote for on the special write-in ballot form.
This type of ballot can be used for the general election only.
Requests cannot be made until 90 days before the election (Wednesday, August 8, 2012) and must be made before regular ballots are available. The request must include the following statement:
“To the best of my belief I will be outside the continental United States and unable to vote and return a regular absentee ballot by normal mail delivery within the period provided for regular absentee ballots. I request a special write-in absentee ballot.”