Complete a Back-up Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot

Fill out the Voter's Declaration/Affirmation and Ballot

The Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot allows voters who have requested their ballot by their state deadline but not received it to vote. You may not need to fill out this entire form. Check out the instructions below to see what information your state requires.

Open Back-up Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot

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What do I fill in?

Only the following blocks of the Voter's Declaration/Affirmation are required:

Block 1.a: Select the category that describes you.

Block 1.b: Wisconsin does not allow you to use this form for registration. Do not check this block.

Block 2.a: Name (Last, First, Middle); Block 2.b: Enter any former name under which you were registered in Wisconsin. Block 2.e: Date of Birth

Blocks 2.f and 2.g: Enter your valid Wisconsin Driver's License number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, or your state voter registration number.

Block 3.a through 3.e: Complete street address of your Wisconsin 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: Enter your current mailing address. It must be different from the address you provided in Block 3.

Block 6: Provide any information that may assist the local election official in accepting this ballot or application.

Block 7: Sign and date in the presence of one adult U.S. citizen witness. The witness must sign and date the form.

Completing your ballot:

Wisconsin allows you to use this form for voting in general elections for Federal office. For each office for which you vote, write in either a candidate's name or a political party designation.

Put Voter's Declaration/Affirmation and Voted Ballot into Envelopes

Once the ballot is complete, fold and place it in the security envelope and seal. Place only the voted ballot in the security envelope and do not write on the security envelope. Insert the sealed security envelope and the Voter's Declaration/Affirmation into the mailing envelope and seal.

FWAB Process Overview

Optional: You may print this template on your security envelope

Open Security Envelope Template

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Optional: You may be able to use this postage-paid envelope template

Open Postage-Paid Envelope Template

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The postage-paid envelope may be used 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

Submission Options

Mail

You must mail your back-up Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot to a specific election official. Find your county or city in the address 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.

Follow-up

  • Your completed ballot must be received by 11/04/2008.
  • If you receive your state absentee ballot after submitting your Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot, fill it out and return it. The state absentee ballot will be counted instead of the back-up ballot if it's received in time.

Wisconsin

Resources

More Information on Wisconsin's Absentee Voting Guidelines

Wisconsin State Election website

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Back-Up Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot FAQs

Q: When should I receive my ballot?

A: Most states and territories begin mailing ballots 30- 45 days before an election. If you have not received your ballot two weeks before the election, contact your local election official (contact information available on most state election sites). If you encounter problems contacting your local election official, contact us. Always complete and return your absentee ballot regardless of when you receive it, even if you have already submitted a back-up Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (explanation below). Your local election official will ensure that only one of the ballots is counted.

Q: What happens if I do not receive a ballot from my local election office?

A: If you requested an absentee ballot but have not received one close to Election Day, you can still vote by using the back-up Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB).

In order to be eligible to use the back-up FWAB, Uniformed Service members, their family members and overseas citizens must:

  • Be absent from his/her voting residence;
  • Have applied for a regular ballot early enough so the request is received by the appropriate local election official not later than the State deadline; or the date that is 30 days before the general election; AND
  • Have not received the requested regular absentee ballot from the state.

Q: Where can I get a back-up Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot?

A: Hardcopies of the back-up Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) are available through Voting Assistance Officers at military installations or at U.S. embassies/consulates. An online version is also available, which must be completed, printed, signed, dated, and mailed to your local election official. If you receive a state ballot after submitting a FWAB, vote and return the state provided ballot as well.

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.

Last updated: 05.01.2008