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.

Then, come back here to fill out and submit your Backup Ballot.

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To download a PDF of the blank Backup Ballot, Click Here
The PDF includes the Voter Information form, a blank Backup Ballot, and an U.S. Postage Paid envelope template.
You may be able to fill out the materials on your device, but you will need to print it out to sign and send in.

(Note: FVAP.gov's online wizard will lead you through the 2026 revised version of the Backup Ballot. That version does not provide for use by overseas voters who have never lived in the U.S. If you wish to use that version, click here)

Fill out the "Voter Information" form.
Many of the questions will be the same as on the FPCA form, but the Voter Information form is a separate form. The Voter Information form must be submitted with your Backup Ballot. And the information must be the same as that on your FPCA form.

One difference from the FPCA is the Voter Information form includes this question: "Do you want to register and request a ballot for all elections you are eligible to vote in?"
We recommend you leave this blank. Some states allow voters to use the Backup Ballot to also register to vote, but we don't recommend using this option. Instead, as discussed above, if you need to register to vote, use the FPCA form.
Fill in the "Official Backup Ballot" form.
To find the candidates and races on your ballot, you can use this website: Sample_Ballot_Lookup

Federal Offices:
All overseas voters may vote in federal elections, that is: U.S. House, U.S. Senate, and U.S. President.
In the "Federal offices" section, type or write in the candidates you wish to vote for in the designated space.

State and Local Offices and Ballot measures.
If you're eligible to vote in state and local offices, use the "Other offices" section to write in the office and candidate. For example: "Governor" and "Jane Doe"
If you're eligible to vote for ballot measures, use the "Ballot initiatives or other items" section to write in the name of the measure and either "Yes" or "No".
Special Rules for Backup Ballots:
In a General election (that is, 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 in which all candidates are from the same political party.

Also, unlike other Write-in Ballots, misspellings or minor variations in the candidate's name won’t disqualify your Backup Ballot. It just needs to be close enough for your election office to ascertain who you intended to vote for.
After you finish filling out the Voter Information form and Backup Ballot, print them out (if you haven't already).
You must sign and date the Voter Information form and submit it with your Backup Ballot.

Also, if your state requires a witness signature for ballots, your witness will need to sign in Section 6 of the Voter Information form ("6. What additional information must you provide?"). For information for your state, Click Here, locate your state, and scroll down to "How to Submit to Your Election Office - Ballot Return"

DON'T SIGN THE BACKUP BALLOT itself — as a ballot it must not have any identifying information on it!
Submit your Backup Ballot and Voter Sheet form to your local election official.
You may return your Backup Ballot using any method that your state allows for returning an official ballot.
Also include any additional documents your state may require (such as proof of identity).

For information for your state, Click Here, locate your state, and scroll down to "How to Submit to Your Election Office - Ballot Return"
Special — If you are sending your Backup Ballot by EMAIL or FAX (or E-FAX):
You can find the email or fax number to return ballots to your election office at: www.fvap.gov/search-offices

You must use this cover sheet: Email or Fax Transmission Cover Sheet
When returning a ballot by email or fax (or e-fax), you must sign a waiver of your right to a secret ballot as your ballot will not be sealed when you send it in. Be assured -- your ballot will be separated from your identifying information as early in the process as possible. Your vote will be counted without anyone recording how "you" voted.

For more information about sending in your ballot by email or fax (or e-fax)l, see:
Email: "How do I send in my ballot by email?"
Fax: "How do I send In my ballot by fax if I don't have access to a fax machine?"
Special — ONLY if you are sending your Backup Ballot by POSTAL MAIL:
You can find the mailing address for your election office at: www.fvap.gov/search-offices

Unlike an official overseas ballot, if you are a civilian overseas voter, your Backup Ballot must be mailed from outside the U.S. You may mail your Backup Ballot using a non-U.S. postal service, a courier service (such as UPS, DHL, or FedEx), or the diplomatic pouch at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

If you are using a courier, they will not deliver to a P.O. Box. If you need the street address, contact your election office.

When mailing back your Backup Ballot, 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.
You can use any envelope. Seal your Backup Ballot inside. Write: "Official Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot / Security Envelope"

- Then, the sealed Ballot Security Envelope AND all other supporting materials are placed in the outer Mailing Envelope. You can use any envelope. The Mailing Envelope will be sealed and sent by postal mail to your election office.

The Backup Ballot download includes an envelope template with a U.S. Postage Paid template, which works in U.S. Military Mail or when using the diplomatic pouch at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. You can fill it out and attach it your Mailing Envelope. Or, you can write the information on your own envelope.

The Mailing Envelope must include:

The address of your election office. Remember to include "USA"
Your name and mailing address
Sufficient postage for mailing to the U.S. -- if not using U.S. Military Mail or the diplomatic pouch
This statement: "I have enclosed my ballot for the MM / YYYY election"
This is the only way your election office will know which election you are voting in.
You may also write: "Official Absentee Balloting Material"

For more information about sending in your ballot by postal mail, see: "I n eed to retu rn my ballot by mail. What are my options?".

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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.