Top 15 Absentee Ballot Questions of 2016

Here are the most commonly asked Domestic and Overseas Absentee Ballot questions from our Voter Help Desk. Have a look and see if your question is answered.
 

1. Is there still time to request an absentee ballot?

• There may still be time to request an absentee ballot.
• If not, you may be able to vote early; many states offer some form of early voting.
• Check the Election Dates & Deadlines chart for absentee ballot request deadlines and early voting dates in your state. (Notice the toggle to overseas voter dates!)

2. Where’s my ballot?

• If you sent your ballot request form to your election office and confirmed that you are registered, but don't yet have your ballot - it is good to check on its whereabouts as soon as possible.
• Go to the State Voting Requirements directory: Look up your state and open the "Am I Registered - State Lookup Tools" section. There you will see a "Where's My Ballot" link as well - if your state offers it (they don't all have this).
• If the "Where's My Ballot" link is unavailable or you do not find your ballot, you will need to look up and call your election office - they manage ballot sending and counting.

3. Is there a deadline to vote and return my absentee ballot?

• Of course there is a deadline! And of course the deadline differs by state (this is America!:-)
• Check the Election Dates & Deadlines chart. (Notice the toggle to overseas voter dates!)
• Try to get it there before the deadline.
• Best to vote and send your ballot as soon as you receive it.

4. Can I view my sample ballot?

• Many states offer a service that allows you to view your sample ballot.
• Go to the State Voting Requirements directory:
• Look up your state and open the "Am I Registered - State Lookup Tools" section. There you will see a “Can I View My Sample Ballot?" link - if your state offers it.

5. I received my absentee ballot. When should I return it?

• Always complete and return your absentee ballot as soon as possible.
• It is best to take your ballot to the post office and make sure it gets postmarked to confirm that it was returned before the deadline.

6. Why am I being asked to sign the outside of the ballot return envelope?

• It is essential that you sign the outside of the ballot envelope as indicated on your envelope.
• This is for the purpose of signature matching, to confirm your identity.
• When the ballots are prepared for counting, the envelope and the ballot will be separated in order to keep your ballot confidential.

7. Can I drop my ballot off at my local election office?

• Yes, you can drop your ballot off in person at your election office - but please try to do so BEFORE Election Day. 
• Be sure it is handed to an election official in order to record its on-time arrival.
• Check the Election Dates & Deadlines chart to be sure of your state's deadlines.

8. I received my absentee ballot, but I have a question about it (or the envelope). Who should I ask?

• Please direct all ballot questions to your election office. The manage all aspects of your ballot (except the voting part:-)
• Go to the Election Official Directory to look up all contact details for your Local Election Office.

9. Who counts absentee ballots and are all ballots counted?

• Absentee ballots are counted by your Local Election Office.
• Strict ballot counting procedures are in place to protect the confidentiality of your vote.
• ALL ballots must be counted: that is the law of the land.Every Local Election Office must “certify” the results of the election.
• This requires that every ballot is counted and/or accounted for - this is not an option. It is a requirement.
• Even if the results of the election are called before the end of ballot counting (due to the margin), all ballots must be counted.

10. Do I need to vote for every contest/race on the ballot?

• No, you do not have to vote for every contest or race or proposition on the ballot
• Your ballot will still be counted even if you do not complete it in full.

11. My overseas absentee ballot is late; what should I do?

• Overseas Ballots are sent as of 45 days prior to the election - good idea to check it if yours has not appeared yet
• Go to the State Voting Requirements directory: Look up your state and open the "Am I Registered - State Lookup Tools" section. There you will see a "Where's My Ballot" link as well - if your state offers it (they don't all have this).
• If the Where's My Ballot link is unavailable or you do not find your ballot, you will need to look up and call your election office - they manage ballot sending and counting.
• If you cannot obtain your ballot, please use the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot.

12. Where can I find the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB)?

• The FWAB can be found on our site
• https://www.usvotefoundation.org/vote/federal-write-in-absentee-ballot

13. What if I sent in the FWAB and my actual ballot arrives from my election office?

• Even if you used the FWAB, you should vote the ballot that is sent to you and return it.
• Your election office will replace your FWAB with your actual ballot before counting begins.

14. I am voting from overseas, but am planning to give my ballot to someone to carry back to the US and mail there - is that a good idea?

• NO! That is a terrible idea.
• Overseas ballots need an overseas POSTMARK or they risk being rejected.
• Mail overseas ballots from overseas and make sure the postmark is put on the envelope and not blurred.
• If you take your ballot to a consulate or embassy, they will mark it appropriately (but they will not necessarily be faster than the post office).
• If you send the ballot through an express courier service (like FedEx or DHL), the waybill will indicate the date of sending.

15. What postage do I need for my absentee ballot?

• It is always best to take your ballot to the post office to be sure that the postage is correct and that it is clearly postmarked.
• Here's an informative article about postage for absentee ballots.

Bonus Question: Can I vote online?

• You’re kidding, right? (Hi, Julian, hi Vlad!)
• If you're not kidding, please think about if you really want to vote online and expose your vote to hacking, tampering, or interception.
• Just about every aspect of the voting process is online, but casting your ballot is not.
• Some states do offer overseas voters the option to return ballots by email, but if you have a time to return it on paper, we suggest you opt for the post as your first choice.

If you have a voting question that is not answered in the above list, please contact our Voter Help Desk!