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Absentee Voting for Military Personnel and Citizens Outside the
U.S. (UOCAVA)
Military personnel and civilians who are temporarily or
permanently overseas, military personnel who are stationed in the
U.S. but away from their hometown, and their spouses and dependents,
are eligible to vote in Minnesota by absentee ballot under the
Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) and
Minnesota state law.
- Temporarily Overseas: A voter who is
temporarily overseas is a citizen who would be qualified as an
eligible voter to vote at their polling location in Minnesota if
they were not overseas.
- Permanently Overseas: A voter permanently
overseas is a citizen who currently has no plans to return to
Minnesota but is authorized by federal law to vote in Minnesota
because they maintained residence in Minnesota for at least 20
days immediately prior to their departure from the United
States. Voters who are permanently overseas are permitted to
vote only for the offices of president, vice president, senator
in Congress, and representative in Congress.
- Uniformed or Military Personnel: A
uniformed or military voter is one who is a member of the Army,
Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, the
commissioned corps of the Public Health Service, or the
commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration and who is absent from their precinct on the date
of the election due to their service.
Frequently Asked Questions about UOCAVA
How do I apply?
The easiest way for eligible UOCAVA voters to
apply for an absentee ballot is to use the
Minnesota Military and Overseas Voter Service online. This
easy-to-use free service helps voters complete the Federal Postcard
Application (FPCA) to apply for an absentee ballot.
Those who choose not to use the Minnesota
Military and Overseas Voter Service may instead download and
complete the Federal Postcard
Application (FPCA) to apply for an absentee ballot. Be sure to
read the instructions carefully and fill out the form completely. In
addition, a voter’s spouse, parent, sibling or child over
18-years-old may apply for an absentee ballot on the voter’s behalf
and may submit the FPCA by fax (763-422-7526), by e-mail (elections@co.anoka.mn.us) or by mail (325 E Main St, Ste W130, Anoka MN 55303-5013). Military personnel may
fax their FPCA toll free to DSN 223-5527.
When can I apply?
There is no due date for the FPCA; you may
submit it any time during the year. However, you should submit it as
far ahead of the election as possible to avoid delays in receiving
your ballot.
Can I receive ballots electronically?
Yes. You can receive the ballot by mail, fax or
email. You will need to indicate on your application how you would
like to receive the ballot.
Can I return my voted ballot electronically?
No. Regardless of how you received the ballot,
you must return your voted ballot by mail to the election official
the ballot was received from.
When should I expect to get my ballot?
Ballots are sent out by election officials,
upon receipt of the FPCA, at least 46 days prior to the election;
ballots are sent as quickly as possible for those voters whose
applications were received fewer than 46 days before the election.
Ballots sent by mail are airmailed to addresses outside the
continental U.S. A ballot will be sent to the voter by an express
mail service if a prepaid envelope is provided to the county
auditor’s office. Note: A voted ballot must arrive back at the
county no later than 3 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.
What if I don't receive my ballot?
UOCAVA voters who submit timely absentee ballot
applications but never receive their ballots or those concerned that
they will not be able to return their ballots in time to be counted
may submit the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) as an
alternative. The Minnesota Military and Overseas Voter Service also
has a service to help voters complete the FWAB.
Special conditions apply to voters using this
ballot: the voter must be eligible under UOCAVA and the county
auditor must have received their FPCA. A FWAB allows a voter to
write in choices for all offices. For federal offices you may
indicate your choice by writing in a candidate name or political
party. When voting for state or local offices on the FWAB, you must
write the name of the candidate (not just the party) for your vote
to be counted.
How long is my application valid?
An application is valid for the entire year in
which the application is received, expiring on December 31st of the
year of receipt. A ballot will be sent automatically for all
elections in which the applicant is eligible to vote. The voter must
reapply each year in which they need a ballot or if their overseas
mailing address changes.
Can I self-certify my ballot?
Minnesota allows UOCAVA voters to self-certify
their FPCA, their ballot return envelope, and the FWAB. This can be
accomplished by using the same voter's passport number, MN driver's
license or state ID number, or the last 4 digits of the voter's
social security number on all forms throughout the process. If the
voter does not have access to any of these documents, the voter may
attest to the truthfulness of the information under penalty of
perjury. For assistance, overseas citizens should contact the U.S.
embassy or consulate, and military personnel should contact their
Voting Assistance Officer (VAO).
If at any time you have any questions of Anoka County regarding any type of ballot, please contact us by phone at (763) 323-5275 or by e-mail at elections@co.anoka.mn.us