Requesting and Receiving an Absentee Ballot

For Uniformed Services Persons

Process to apply for a uniformed services absentee ballot

Qualified electors who are members of the uniformed services may apply for an absentee ballot in any of the following ways:

1. You may use the current Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), available online at www.fvap.gov.  The FPCA may be used both to register to vote and to request absentee ballots.
2. You also may request an absentee ballot using a form prescribed by the Ohio Secretary of State (Form 11-A, if you will be in Ohio during the absentee period; otherwise, use an FPCA).
3. If you already are a registered Ohio voter, you may designate an eligible relative to request an absentee ballot on your behalf like using the Secretary of State prescribed from 11-E or via the FPCA.

Prescribed Forms

• Form 11-A: Application for Absent Voter's Ballot (PDF)
• Form 11-E: Application by Relative for uniformed Services Absent Voter's Ballot
• Federal Voting Assistance Program Website

How to receive an absentee ballot

If you are an individual eligible to vote under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA), you may ask to receive your ballot in any one of the following ways:

1. In person: Once absentee ballots are available, you may go to your county board of elections office or a site designated by the board of elections to vote.  In-person absentee voting for UOCAVA voters ends the day before the election.  If you are a UOCAVA voter voting in-person on the day before an election, you must vote at the office of your county board of elections.
2. By mail: Not earlier than 90 days before the date of an election you may mail your properly completed absentee ballot application, bearing your signature, to the board of elections of the county in which your voting residence is located. The board must receive your request by noon of the third day before the election. However, you should submit your request as far in advance of the election as possible to ensure there is sufficient time for the board to mail, fax, or e-mail you a ballot. Your marked ballot must be returned by mail.
3. By fax: You may fax your absentee ballot request to the board of elections of the county in which your voting residence is located. The board must receive your request by noon of the third day before the election. You may request that the board fax, mail, or e-mail your ballot to you, but you must return your marked ballot by mail.
4. By e-mail: Your completed and signed absentee ballot request form may be e-mailed to the board of elections office in the county in which you are registered to vote. The board must receive your request by noon of the third day before the election. You may request that the board fax, mail, or e-mail your ballot to you, but you must return your marked ballot by mail.

When the board of elections issues your ballot, it will provide you with information on how to track the status of your ballot in the Centralized Ballot Tracking System.

If you have requested an absentee ballot but do not receive it by 30 days before the election, you may wish to use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot. Once you receive your absentee ballot, vote and return it via mail or in person. If both ballots are received by the deadline, only the state ballot will be counted.