The Federal Voting Assistance Program has listed the following ten steps to take to help ensure your absentee vote is counted:
1. Start by contacting your unit/embassy/organization Voting Assistance Officer for help in absentee registration and voting.
2. Visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program’s website at www.fvap.gov for information on the absentee registration and voting process.
3. Ensure that you have applied for your absentee ballot using the hard copy or on-line versions of the FPCA.
4. Make sure your local election official has your current mailing address.
5. Sign and date all election materials.
6. Fulfill your state’s witness/notary requirements (if required).
7. Ensure that your ballot or FPCA is postmarked.
8. Register to vote and request your ballot in a timely manner — not later than September.
9. Vote — mail your ballot not later than October 15 of the election year.
10. Use the Federal Write In Absentee Ballot if you are overseas and your State absentee ballot does not arrive in time to be mailed back by the state’s deadline.
