DC Board of Elections and Ethics

The District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics provides the following guidelines to support voters in the military or other uniformed service, or a civilian living outside the United States.

A member of a uniformed service on active duty who, by reason of such active duty, is absent from the District of Columbia where the member is otherwise a qualified elector;
A member of the merchant marine who, by reason of service in the merchant marine, is absent from the District of Columbia where the member is otherwise a qualified elector;
A spouse or dependent of a member of a uniformed service or merchant marine who, by reason of the active duty or service of the member, is absent from the District of Columbia where the spouse or dependent is otherwise a qualified elector;
A person who resides outside the United States and is a qualified elector of the District of Columbia; or
A person who resides outside the United States and, but for such residence, would be a qualified elector the District of Columbia.

Absentee Ballot Requests
As a military and overseas voter, there are several different ways you can request and receive your ballot, then return your ballot once you are registered to vote.

Your request for an absentee ballot may be delivered electronically (via BOEE website) or by mail. A request for an absentee ballot shall be received by no later than the seventh (7th) day preceding the date of the election.

A qualified overseas elector may select to have his or her absentee ballot electronically transmitted (email, fax or digital download) or delivered by mail. If no preference is given, the absentee ballot shall be delivered by mail.

The Board shall transmit blank absentee ballots by no later than 45 days before the election if the blank absentee ballot application is received at least 45 days before a general election. If the request is received less than 45 days before an election for federal office, the

Board shall transmit the blank absentee ballot in accordance with District law in a manner that expedites the transmission of the ballot.
If, after a request for an absentee ballot is made, you do not receive an absentee ballot from the Board, you may use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot, as defined under the Uniformed and Overseas Absentee Citizens Voting Act, as an official ballot.
You may request a Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot: http://www.fvap.gov/FWAB/fwabchoice.html. When you have completed your Federal Write-in Absentee ballot, please return it to director@dcboee.org.

Returning Your Absentee Ballot
You may return an absentee ballot to the Board by mail, or, in any election occurring after and including the 2010 General Election, by electronic (email or fax) submission.

Prior to returning the voted absentee ballot to the Board, you will need to confirm the accuracy of your name, address, party affiliation, and

ANC Single-Member District, where applicable, as it appears on the Board’s records by signing either the absentee ballot envelope, or if the absentee ballot is returned by email or fax, a separate downloadable attestation form.

If you return your ballot by email or fax you will need to provide and sign the following statement on a separate document: “I understand that by electronically submitting my voted ballot I am voluntarily waiving my right to a secret ballot.”

All postmarked absentee ballots must be postmarked not later than the day of the election, and all mailed (postmarked and non-postmarked) absentee ballots must be received not later than seventeen (17) days after the election for the November 2, 2010 General Election.

The Board will take steps to reasonably investigate the timely completion of non-postmarked absentee ballots by checking tracking numbers or any other information available.

If the voter chooses to use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot, the Board will accept the ballot for all races in which the voter is eligible to cast votes.



	Military and Overseas Voter Information The District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics provides the following guidelines to support voters in the military or other uniformed service, or a civilian living outside the United States. Qualifications You are eligible to vote as a Military or Overseas voter if you are: A member of a uniformed service on active duty who, by reason of such active duty, is absent from the District of Columbia where the member is otherwise a qualified elector; A member of the merchant marine who, by reason of service in the merchant marine, is absent from the District of Columbia where the member is otherwise a qualified elector; A spouse or dependent of a member of a uniformed service or merchant marine who, by reason of the active duty or service of the member, is absent from the District of Columbia where the spouse or dependent is otherwise a qualified elector; A person who resides outside the United States and is a qualified elector of the District of Columbia; or A person who resides outside the United States and, but for such residence, would be a qualified elector the District of Columbia. Absentee Ballot Requests As a military and overseas voter, there are several different ways you can request and receive your ballot, then return your ballot once you are registered to vote. Your request for an absentee ballot may be delivered electronically (via BOEE website) or by mail. A request for an absentee ballot shall be received by no later than the seventh (7th) day preceding the date of the election. You may request your absentee ballot online: https://www.dcboee.org/voter_info/absentee_ballot/ab_step1.asp A qualified overseas elector may select to have his or her absentee ballot electronically transmitted (email, fax or digital download) or delivered by mail. If no preference is given, the absentee ballot shall be delivered by mail. The Board shall transmit blank absentee ballots by no later than 45 days before the election if the blank absentee ballot application is received at least 45 days before a general election. If the request is received less than 45 days before an election for federal office, the Board shall transmit the blank absentee ballot in accordance with District law in a manner that expedites the transmission of the ballot. If, after a request for an absentee ballot is made, you do not receive an absentee ballot from the Board, you may use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot, as defined under the Uniformed and Overseas Absentee Citizens Voting Act, as an official ballot. You may request a Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot: http://www.fvap.gov/FWAB/fwabchoice.html. When you have completed your Federal Write-in Absentee ballot, please return it to director@dcboee.org. Returning Your Absentee Ballot You may return an absentee ballot to the Board by mail, or, in any election occurring after and including the 2010 General Election, by electronic (email or fax) submission. Prior to returning the voted absentee ballot to the Board, you will need to confirm the accuracy of your name, address, party affiliation, and ANC Single-Member District, where applicable, as it appears on the Board’s records by signing either the absentee ballot envelope, or if the absentee ballot is returned by email or fax, a separate downloadable attestation form. If you return your ballot by email or fax you will need to provide and sign the following statement on a separate document: “I understand that by electronically submitting my voted ballot I am voluntarily waiving my right to a secret ballot.” All postmarked absentee ballots must be postmarked not later than the day of the election, and all mailed (postmarked and non-postmarked) absentee ballots must be received not later than seventeen (17) days after the election for the November 2, 2010 General Election. The Board will take steps to reasonably investigate the timely completion of non-postmarked absentee ballots by checking tracking numbers or any other information available. If the voter chooses to use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot, the Board will accept the ballot for all races in which the voter is eligible to cast votes.