• Reference Center
  • Links
  • Laws
    • UOCAVA Overview
    • National Voter Registration Act
    • Voting Residency Guidelines
    • Political Activities
    • State Legislative Initiatives
  • About Elections and Officials
  • Never Resided in the U.S.?
  • Military Recruiter Information
  • Biennial Slogan Contest

Home > Reference > Laws > UOCAVA Overview

The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act Overview

The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act is commonly referred to as UOCAVA. UOCAVA citizens are U.S. citizens who are active members of the Uniformed Services the Merchant Marine, and the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, their family members, and U.S. citizens residing outside the United States. This Act provides the legal basis for absentee voting requirements for these citizens.

To view the Act in its entirety, go to The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (Opens in a new window and requires Adobe Reader 7).

Department of Defense (DoD) Directive 1000.04, Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP)

This DoD Directive defines the responsibilities of the Federal Voting Assistance Program and provides direction to DoD components and other Federal agencies in carrying out their responsibilities under UOCAVA.

To view the Directive in its entirety, go to DoD Directive 1000.04 (Opens in a new window and requires Adobe Reader 7).