Am I a Military or Overseas Voter?

The federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) defines Military voters as U.S. citizens who are members of the Uniformed Services and are absent from the state by reason of being in active service. Uniformed Services are defined as the U.S. Navy, Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard; the merchant marine, the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Family members also qualify as Military voters.

Overseas voters are defined as U.S. citizens who are outside the United States. Family members also qualify as Overseas voters.

How Do I Request a Military/Overseas Voter Ballot?

You should complete a Military and Overseas Voters Ballot Application/Federal Post Card Application. This is a voter registration form as well as a request for an official mail ballot for every primary and election through the next regularly scheduled general election for federal office.

If you wish to receive your official ballot by fax, make sure to include your fax number on the application. We must receive your form by 4 p.m. (EST) at least 21 days before an election.

The Federal Voting Assistance Program provides even more information about the process.

How Will I Receive My Ballot?

You will receive a ballot through the mail or by fax if we received your application by fax.

If you filed a standard RI mail ballot application or a Military and Overseas Voters Ballot Application/FPCA, you can also download your ballot from our Voter Information Center. Just enter the information that is requested under "View your personal voter registration." You will see instructions on how to download and vote your official mail ballot. Make sure to include your fax number on the application.

If we receive a voted official ballot by mail or fax as well as a ballot downloaded from our Voter Information Center, only the official ballot will be counted.

How Can I Find Out Whether You Have Mailed or Received My Mail Ballot?

You can use our Voter Information Center to check whether we have sent you a ballot or received your voted ballot.

What If My Mail Ballot Is Late or Damaged or I Make a Mistake Filling It Out?

If you filed a standard RI mail ballot application or a Military and Overseas Voters Ballot Application/FPCA, you can download a ballot from our Voter Information Center. Just enter the information that is requested under "View your personal voter registration." You will see instructions on how to download and vote the ballot.

How Do I Return My Ballot?

You may return your ballot through the mail or by fax if you received your ballot by fax. Whether you choose to fax or mail your voted ballot, it must be received by the State Board of Elections by 9 p.m. (EST) on the day of an election in order to be counted.

What If I Am No Longer a UOCAVA Voter or I Have Been Reassigned to a New Location?

If the address listed on your application changes due to reassignment or if you return to the U.S., you will need to update your voter registration by contacting your local board of canvassers. If you prefer, you may also submit an updated Military and Overseas Voters Ballot Application/FPCA.

Can I Vote If I Recently Returned to the U.S. or Was Discharged, But the Deadline for Updating My Voter Registration Has Already Passed?

Yes, you can vote. Military and Overseas voters and their families have two years to update their voter registration to reflect returning stateside or leaving the military.