Military & Overseas Voter Registration

Military & Overseas Voter Registration

The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) allows military and overseas citizens to register and vote-by-mail. All military and overseas citizens must use the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to register/re-register/ to vote.

To use the FPCA, you must be one of the following:

• A member of the armed services stationed stateside or overseas.
• A spouse or dependent of a member of the armed forces.
• A citizen of the United States temporarily living outside of the United States.
• A US citizen who is permanently living overseas.
• A citizen serving on a merchant vessel documented under US laws.
• Applications are available at the Federal Voting Assistance Program, with the Voting Assistance Officer of any military base, at any Elections office or American Consulate office.
• The Elections office must receive the FPCA no later than 15 days before an election, but it is recommended that you register to vote at least 90 days beforehand.
• You must complete another FPCA form if you change your name, residence address, or political party.
• Visit the California Secretary of State for more information.