1. What is the Backup Ballot (or FWAB) and how do I use it?

The Backup Ballot (the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot or FWAB) is an option under Federal law (52 USC section 20303) specifically for overseas voters who are concerned they won't receive their official ballot in time to return it by the deadline. States are required to send out official ballots to overseas voters at least 45 days before an upcoming election. However, you don't have to wait until ballots go out, you can send in a Backup Ballot any time during the calendar year before the election.

For an overview, watch this video: How To Use An Overseas Absentee Backup Ballot

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NOTE: To use a Backup Ballot, you must be registered to vote as an overseas voter. We recommend you submit a ballot request form (the Federal Post Card Application or FPCA) before sending in your Backup Ballot.

Some states will allow you to use the Backup Ballot to register to vote, but you must meet the deadline for registering to vote, which can be much earlier.

If you haven't yet submitted your ballot request form for this year — or if you're not sure if your state received and processed a form you submitted previously in the year — click here to fill out and submit a ballot request form.

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The Backup Ballot is available on FVAP.gov. To fill out and submit a Backup Ballot, Click Here.

1. Fill out the Voter Information questions.
   Many of the questions will be the same as those on the FPCA form, but the Voter Information must be submitted with your Backup Ballot. And the information must be the same as that on your FPCA form. 
   
   
2. Choose the candidates listed.
   The website will list the candidates for federal offices (US House, US Senate, and President) that are running in your voting jurisdiction.
   
   
3. Some states allow overseas voters to use the Backup Ballot to vote for state offices and ballot measures.
   The instructions on the website will indicate what your state allows. If you're eligible to vote in state elections, then use the "Write-in Candidates" or "Other Offices" section to type in the office and candidate or ballot measure name and "yes" or "no". To find the candidates and races on your ballot, you can use this website: Sample_Ballot_Lookup 
   
   
4. In a non-primary election, you may type in the candidate’s name or just indicate the political party.
   This doesn't apply for a Primary election where there will be multiple candidates from the same political party. Also, unlike other Write-in Ballots, misspellings or minor variations in the name won’t disqualify your Backup Ballot.
   
   
5. Download and print out the PDF package.
   Once you've filled out your Backup Ballot, follow the instructions to download and print out the PDF package containing your completed Backup Ballot and supporting documents.
    
6. Sign the Voter Information Sheet and, if applicable for your state, have your witness sign.
   You must sign and date the Voter Information Sheet and submit it with your Backup Ballot.
   
   Also, if the instructions state that your state requires a witness signature for ballots, your witness will need to sign in Section 6 of the Voter Information Sheet. 
   
   DON'T SIGN THE BACKUP BALLOT itself — as a ballot it must not have any identifying information on it.
   
   
7. Submit your Backup Ballot, Voter Sheet, and "Instructions to Election Official" to your local election official.
   You can return your Backup Ballot by any method available for an official ballot. The instructions will provide the mailing address and, if applicable, email address and/or fax number for your election office.
   
   For more information about sending in your ballot by email, fax, or mail, see: "How do I send in my ballot by email?", "How do I send In my ballot by fax if I don't have access to a fax machine?", and "I need to return my ballot by mail. What are my options?".
   
   
8. Special — ONLY if you are mailing back your ballot: Seal your Backup Ballot in a separate envelope, then place it and the supporting materials inside the Mailing Envelope. 
   If you are mailing back your Backup Ballot, then you must use 2 envelopes to preserve the secrecy of your ballot. 
   
   First, your completed Backup Ballot must be placed by itself in a separate, sealed envelope — the Ballot Security Envelope.
   
   
   Then, the sealed Ballot Security Envelope AND all the supporting materials are placed in the outer Mailing Envelope. The Mailing Envelope will be sealed and mailed.
   

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Finally, if you receive your official ballot after submitting your Backup Ballot and there's sufficient time, you may complete and submit your official ballot as well. You should email or call your local election official to let them know you've submitted both ballots.

It’s okay — only one ballot will be counted. If both your Backup Ballot and your official ballot arrive before the deadline, federal law provides that only your official ballot will be counted and your Backup Ballot will be discarded. 52 USC section 20303(d)

Still have questions? Click on the red icon in the lower right corner to message our team or email us.