Request Registration/Absentee Ballot

A Federal Post Card Application registers you to vote and requests absentee ballots for all regularly scheduled Federal elections for the calendar year in which it is submitted.

Iowa does not have registration deadlines for Uniformed Service members, their families, and overseas citizens. You must still register and request an absentee ballot using the form and submit it in time for the ballot to be sent to you, voted, and returned by the ballot return deadline.

You may be already registered to vote. To check, go to Iowa's voter registration verification website. Even if you are registered to vote, you still need to complete the form to receive an absentee ballot. 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

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What do I fill in?

Only the following blocks are required:

Block 1: Select the category that describes you.

Block 2: To vote in primary elections, you must enter your political party affiliation. If you want to change your political party affiliation, submit a completed FPCA indicating your new party preference to the local election
official. Political party affiliation is not required if only requesting absentee ballots for general elections.

Block 3: Name (Last, First, Middle)

Block 4: Sex

Date of Birth

Your valid Iowa Driver's License number OR the last four digits of your Social Security number is required for voter registration. If you do not possess either of these identification numbers you must write “none” in the space provided. The State shall assign a number that will serve to identify you for voter registration purposes.

Block 5: Recommended but not required. Provide your contact information to allow your local election official to follow up if more information is required.

Block 6: Iowa allows you to receive your blank ballot by mail, email or fax. Please rank your preference of how you would like to receive your absentee ballot. Provide your email address or fax number in Block 5. If you do not make a selection, then your local election official will mail your ballot to you.

Block 7: Complete street address of your Iowa voting residence. A post office box is not sufficient. If your address includes a rural route, describe its location in Block 9. This address must be within the county in Iowa where you claim legal voting residence.

Block 8: Complete address where you want your ballot sent, usually where you live now.

Block 9: If you wish to receive ballots for local elections as well as Federal elections please indicate that here.

Affirmation: Sign and date. No witness or notary required.

Mail

You must mail your Voter Registration/Absentee Ballot Request to your local 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

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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're not already registered and choose to fax or email you MUST also sign and mail the original.

Fax

If you choose to fax, it is recommended that you fax the form directly to your local election official (fax numbers can be found on Iowa State Election website). You may also use our toll-free fax service:

Inside the U.S.? Fax to:
1-800-368-8683
(703) 588-2148
DSN 425-2148

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

Email

If you choose to email, email the signed, scanned form directly to the Iowa Secretary of State’s office at uocava@sos.State.ia.us.

Open Fax/Email Coversheet

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• To find out the status of your ballot, refer to Iowa's voter ballot tracking website at: http://www.sos.state.ia.us/elections/absenteeballotstatus/search.aspx
• 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, Iowa provides a State Write-In Absentee Ballot 90 days before the general election to any overseas voter unable to vote in the regular absentee voting process. This ballot allows you to vote for local, State and Federal offices in the general election. To request it, write in: “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.”