Using the Federal Backup Ballot

Still waiting to receive your overseas ballot? There’s still hope!

If you’re an overseas U.S. citizen or a military voter, you can use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) — what we’ll simply call your federal backup ballot. This is a form that enables you to cast your vote without waiting to receive a ballot from your U.S. election official.

There’s no harm in submitting the federal backup ballot. If you receive your original ballot later, you can always send that in as well and it will take precedence. (No, your vote won’t be counted more than once.)

Fill out the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) →

Having trouble with the form above?
Some users are experiencing issues with the online form linked above (November 5). If you run into any difficulties downloading the PDF ballot file at the end of the process, one of the following steps may help:

  • Open the page in an Incognito or Private Browsing window (Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox).
  • Use a different browser (e.g., Firefox, Safari, Edge).
  • Clear your browser’s cookies and cache.

If you’re still having trouble, feel free to reach out to us at help@votersabroad.org for assistance.

When to use the write-in absentee ballot

You can always use the federal backup ballot. While it is a bit of a hassle, it is a good backup option if other approaches aren’t working. We recommend using the federal backup ballot if any of the following apply to you:

  • A deadline is approaching and you’re worried your ballot won’t arrive in time to count.
  • You’ve tried contacting your U.S. election office about your missing ballot but haven’t gotten a resolution.
  • You’re worried you missed a deadline, but want to submit a ballot just in case.

Step 1: Gather what you need

  • Laptop/desktop: We recommend completing the online form on a latop/desktop rather than a phone since you will have to download a file at the end of this process.
  • Printer: Make sure you have a way of printing out the file. (Don’t have a printer? Ask a friend if they have a printer you can use. Or search online for a local library, print shop, or internet cafe.)
  • Candidates list: Because this is a write-in ballot, most states will require you to type in the names of the offices and candidates you wish to vote for. You can look up the list of offices and candidates you can vote for on Ballotpedia.

Step 2: Fill out the federal backup ballot online

  • Go to the Federal Voting Assistance Program’s online FWAB ballot assistant.
  • Scroll down and click “I accept.”
  • Click on your state or territory.
  • Answer all the questions, including the candidates you chose earlier.
  • Finally: Download the “PDF Package” file to your computer
  • You will be offered the ability to download a pre-filled envelope.

Step 3: Print and sign the form

  • Don’t have a printer? Ask a friend if they have a printer you can use. Or search online for a local library, print shop, or internet cafe.
  • Sign your ballot. (Do NOT sign the ballot itself, just the necessary cover pages. A ballot must not have identifying information on it.)
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