Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot
The Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) is available to uniformed services members, their spouses and dependents or citizens outside the United States who registered and applied for an absentee ballot no later than 7 days prior to Election Day, but never received their ballot. (Note: pursuant to the 2004-05 California Voting Assistance Guide, California allows FWABs to be returned by fax to the elections official.)

Military Voter or Citizens Temporarily Residing Outside the United States

Citizens Living Permanently Outside the United States

Military and Out-Of-Country Voting Flyer 

MILITARY VOTERS
OR
CITIZENS
TEMPORARILY RESIDING OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES

Military / Uniformed Service Members and United States citizens temporarily living outside the territorial limits of the United States or the District of Columbia for reasons of employment, study programs or military service (including the spouse or dependents of one serving in the military) are eligible to register to vote and request an absentee ballot. To register and request an absentee ballot, complete a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). FPCA forms are available at any Registrar of Voters office, at the Voting Assistance Office of any military base or any American Embassy/Consulate office. You may also click here to print the FPCA Form  via the Secretary of State’s website.

The FPCA Form must be received by the Registrar of Voters office on or before the deadline, 7 days prior to an election. It is recommended that voters outside the United States apply as early as possible to ensure timely delivery and return of their ballot. Voted ballots must be in this office by 8:00 PM Election Day.

IF YOU ARE ALREADY REGISTERED TO VOTE:

1. Submit a letter or note (e-mail note is acceptable) stating you are a Military / Uniformed Service Member or a United States citizen temporarily residing out of the country and you wish to vote an absentee ballot. The letter/note should be addressed to the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, Vote By Mail Section, P. O. Box 30450, Los Angeles, CA 90030-0450, and should include your name, signature, Los Angeles County residence address, the address where the absentee ballot is to be sent, and the election for which the ballot is being requested.
2. If due to military service or other contingencies you do not receive normal mail delivery, you may vote a Special Absentee Ballot by printing a Sample Ballot and an Absent Voter Signature Form, from this website.

INSTRUCTIONS TO SPECIAL ABSENTEE VOTERS (MILITARY AND OVERSEAS)

This ballot has been provided because due to military service or other contingencies you do not receive normal mail delivery and cannot vote an absentee ballot during the regular absentee voting period.

The following are guidelines for voting your ballot:

STEP 1 - PRINT THE SAMPLE BALLOT (Available approximately 60 days prior to an election).

STEP 2 – MARK/VOTE THE BALLOT (SAMPLE BALLOT)

TO VOTE FOR:

A CANDIDATE:
- Fill in bubble next to candidate name(s).
- Do not vote for more candidates than indicated. This will result in an overvote and your vote on that office will not count.

A MEASURE:
- Fill in bubble next to YES or NO.
- Do not vote both YES and NO. This will result in an overvote and your vote on that measure will not count.

A PERSON NOT LISTED ON BALLOT:
(Write-in votes are valid for qualified candidates only)
- Write qualified write-in candidate’s office title and name in the blank space provided inside the secrecy sleeve.
- The total number of votes including write-ins must not exceed the maximum number of votes allowed for the contest or your vote for that contest will not count.

• Click here to print the Fax Voted Ballot Form Special Absentee Voter Signature and Oath 
• Complete and sign your name and date on the signature form.
• Enclose your voted ballot and the signed form in an envelope and mail to: Los Angeles County Registrar/County Clerk, Vote By Mail Section, P. O. Box 30960, Los Angeles 90030-0960

IF YOU CHOOSE TO FAX YOUR BALLOT
If due to military service or temporary residence outside the United States, you feel your ballot would not reach our office by mail by 8:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time on Election Day, you may fax your voted ballot to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk at (562) 462-2354, 462-3035, 864-2394, or 864-6786. If you choose to return your voted ballot by fax transmission, you must also complete and sign the Special Absent Voter Signature and Oathform .

YOUR BALLOT WILL NOT BE COUNTED IF YOU FAIL TO SIGN THE OATH.
YOUR BALLOT MUST BE RECEIVED BY 8:00 P.M. ELECTION DAY.

CITIZENS LIVING PERMANENTLY
OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES

United States citizens living permanently outside the United States are eligible to vote for federal elections only (President, Vice-President, United States Senator or Representative in Congress). To register and request an absentee ballot, complete a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). FPCA forms are available at any Registrar of Voters office, or from the Voting Assistance Officer of any military base or at any American Embassy/Consulate office. Your application will be valid through the next two regularly scheduled general elections. You may also click here to print the FPCA Form  via the Secretary of State’s website.

The FPCA Form must be received by the Registrar of Voters office on or before the deadline, 7 days prior to an election. It is recommended that voters outside the United States apply as early as possible to ensure timely receipt and return of their ballot. Voted ballots must be in the office by 8:00 pm on Election Day.

INSTRUCTIONS TO SPECIAL ABSENTEE VOTERS (MILITARY AND OVERSEAS)

This ballot has been provided because due to military service or other contingencies you do not receive normal mail delivery and cannot vote an absentee ballot during the regular absentee voting period.
The following are guidelines for voting your ballot:

STEP 1 - PRINT THE SAMPLE BALLOT (Available approximately 60 days prior to an election).

STEP 2 – MARK/VOTE THE BALLOT (SAMPLE BALLOT)

TO VOTE FOR:

A CANDIDATE:
- Fill in bubble next to candidate name(s).
- Do not vote for more candidates than indicated. This will result in an overvote and your vote on that office will not count.

A MEASURE:
- Fill in bubble next to YES or NO.
- Do not vote both YES and NO. This will result in an overvote and your vote on that measure will not count.

A PERSON NOT LISTED ON BALLOT:
(Write-in votes are valid for qualified candidates only)
- Write qualified write-in candidate’s office title and name in the blank space provided inside the secrecy sleeve.
- The total number of votes including write-ins must not exceed the maximum number of votes allowed for the contest or your vote for that contest will not count.

STEP 3 – AFTER YOU VOTE, DO THE FOLLOWING:

• Click here to print the Fax Voted Ballot Form Special Absentee Voter Signature and Oath 
• Complete and sign your name and date on the signature form.
• Enclose your voted ballot and the signed form in an envelope and mail to: Los Angeles County Registrar/County Clerk, Vote By Mail Section, P. O. Box 30960, Los Angeles 90030-0960

IF YOU CHOOSE TO FAX YOUR BALLOT
If due to military service or temporary residence outside the United States, you feel your ballot would not reach our office by mail by 8:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time on Election Day, you may fax your voted ballot to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk at (562) 462-2354, 462-3035, 864-2394, or 864-6786. If you choose to return your voted ballot by fax transmission, you must also complete and sign the Special Absent Voter Signature and Oath form .

YOUR BALLOT WILL NOT BE COUNTED IF YOU FAIL TO SIGN THE OATH.
YOUR BALLOT MUST BE RECEIVED BY 8:00 P.M. ELECTION DAY.