Request Registration/Absentee Ballot

Fill out the Voter Registration/Absentee Ballot Request

You may not need to fill out this entire form. Check out the instructions below to see what information your state requires.

Open Voter Registration/Absentee Ballot Request

(Opens in a new window and requires Adobe Reader 7)

What do I fill in?

Only the following blocks are required:

Block 1: Select the category that describes you.

Block 2.a: Name (Last, First, Middle); Block 2.e: Date of Birth

Block 2.d: This information is requested from some states by the Department of Justice in its enforcement of the Voting Rights Act and the National Voter Registration Act. Enter the choice that best describes you from the following list: AI = American Indian or Alaskan Native; AP = Asian or Pacific Islander not Native Hawaiian; B = Black, not of Hispanic Origin; H = Hispanic; M = Multi-racial; NH = Native Hawaiian; W = White, not of Hispanic Origin; O = Other.

Blocks 2.f and 2.g: Your valid Florida Driver's License, Florida Identification Card Number or the last four digits of your Social Security number is required for voter registration. If you do not possess any of these identification numbers, the State shall assign a number that will serve to identify you for voter registration purposes.

Block 3.a through 3.e: Complete street address of your Florida voting residence. A post office box is not sufficient. If your address includes a rural route, describe its location in Block 6. This address must be different from the one provided in Block 4 and must be within the county where you claim legal voting residence.

Block 4.a: Complete address where you want your ballot sent – usually your current mailing address. It must be different from the address you provided in Block 3.

Block 4.c: Check how you would like to receive your absentee ballot (mail, fax or email). If you do not make a selection, then your local election official will mail your ballot to you.

Block 5: Enter your political party affiliation or write "none" if you want to vote in primary elections. If you are a registered non-partisan or undeclared, you must indicate which party ballot you want to receive. If you want to change your political party affiliation, submit a completed Voter Registration/Absentee Ballot Request form indicating your new party preference to the local election official not later than 29 days prior to the election.

Block 6: If you are using this form to register and you have never voted, write "I have never voted". If you are using this form to register and you have previously voted, provide complete information on where you last registered and voted. Submission of this form serves as a request to receive ballots for all Federal elections held through the next two regularly scheduled general elections. If you do not wish to receive ballots for that length of time, you may request a ballot for each election for Federal office held in the next election year OR a ballot for only the next scheduled election for Federal office by noting your choice here. A State Write-In Absentee Ballot is available, see Step 3 for details. Provide any additional comments for your election official here.

Block 7: Sign and date. If you are registering to vote, read the following oath before signing, "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will protect and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Florida, that I am qualified to register as an elector under the Constitution and laws of the State of Florida, and that all information provided in this application is true."

Submission Options

Mail

You must mail your Voter Registration/Absentee Ballot Request to a specific election official. Find your county or city in the list below to locate your election official.

Open Election Official Address List

Don't know your county? Go to the county finder.

Don't know your zip code? Go to the United States Postal Service website.

Optional: You may be able to use the Postage-Paid Envelope Template.

Open Postage-Paid Envelope Template

(Opens in a new window and requires Adobe Reader 7)

The postage paid envelope may be used if mailed in the U.S. Postal System, which includes all U.S. Military post offices (APO/FPO) overseas or through the diplomatic pouch available at U.S. embassies/consulates. Affix appropriate postage if using international mail. Template must be printed on a number 10 or larger envelope.

If you choose to fax, you MUST also sign and mail your request

Fax

You may choose to fax your request. If you are already registered to vote, you may fax your request for an absentee ballot. If you are not already registered, you must return by mail. It is recommended that you fax the form directly to your local election official (fax numbers can be found on Florida State Election website). You may also use our toll-free fax service:

Inside the U.S.? Fax to:
1-800-368-8683
(703)-693-5527
DSN 223-5527

Outside the U.S.? Show me a list of toll-free fax numbers

Open Fax Coversheet

(Opens in a new window and requires Adobe Reader 7)

Follow-up

  • Check the "Important Dates" section at the top of this page for registration, ballot request, and voted ballot return deadlines.
  • Want to receive your ballot by fax or email? Write your fax/email address in section 2 of the form, and check your preference in Block 4c.
  • Want to return your voted ballot by fax? See Step 2 for instructions.
  • If you have not received your absentee ballot in a timely manner use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot.
  • In addition to mailing a regular ballot, Florida provides a State Write-In Absentee Ballot not earlier than 180 days before the general election to any voter living outside the U.S. unable to vote in the regular absentee voting process due to military or other contingencies. This ballot allows you to vote for local, state and Federal offices. To request it, write in Block 6: "Due to military or other contingencies that preclude normal mail delivery, I cannot vote an absentee ballot during the normal voting period. I request a special write-in absentee ballot."

Florida

  • Important Dates for Overseas Citizens

  • General Election: 11/04/2008
  • Register by: 10/06/2008
  • Request ballot by: 10/29/2008
  • Return ballot by: 11/14/2008
  • Presidential Primary: 01/29/2008
  • Register by: 12/31/2007
  • Request ballot by: 01/23/2008
  • Return ballot by: 02/08/2008
  • State Primary: 08/26/2008
  • Register by: 07/28/2008
  • Request ballot by: 08/20/2008
  • Return ballot by: 08/26/2008

Resources

More Information on Florida's Absentee Voting Guidelines

Florida State Election website

Form Wizard

Get Adobe Reader

Q: When mailing a Voter Registration/Absentee Ballot Request form to my state, do I have to pay postage?

A: When mailed from any U.S. post office, U.S. embassy or consulate, or APO/FPO mail facility, the hardcopy form is postage- paid. The online version of the form must be mailed in our postage- paid envelope in order to receive free postage, or you may send it in an envelope with proper postage affixed. Ensure that your form is postmarked (see postmarking instructions below) and sent before your state's specific deadline. You must pay postage if the materials are mailed from a non- U.S. postal facility.

Q: What is a postmark and how do I make sure I get one?

A: A postmark is a postal marking made on a piece of mail indicating the date and time that the item was delivered into the care of the postal service. Postmarks are used to determine if voting materials have met state deadlines. Due to varying mail pick up times, the day you "mail" your election mail may not be the day the postal facility postmarks it.

You may ask the mail clerk to hand stamp the election material so that a date is clearly visible. In certain situations a hand-written postmark and signature from you or a notarizing official may be sufficient.

Q: When is the best time to apply for an absentee ballot?

A: We recommend that you register/request an absentee ballot in January of each year or at least 45 days before Election Day.

Q: Must I submit a separate application for each election?

A: The Voter Registration/Absentee Ballot Request form registers you for the next two regularly scheduled federal elections, unless you specify otherwise in Block 6. Depending on your state of residence, you may also receive ballots for State and local offices during the selected period as well. We recommend that each voter submit a Voter Registration/Absentee Ballot Request form in January of each year and again each time there is a change in the voter's mailing address.

Last updated: 05.01.2008