Military and out of country voting
Our freedom and the privilege to be able to vote in an open democratic process to elect our leaders, is due in large part to you, our military men and women and the soldiers who served before you. Regardless of where you are in the world, you have the right to cast a ballot in every election, and more importantly, have it arrive in time to count. If you're in the military, a dependent, or a citizen living overseas and you're registered to vote, you'll be mailed an absentee ballot. However, your current location and mail delivery time could cause a delay. To make sure your vote counts, please read the alternatives outlined in this guide.
Ballot options
You may request a ballot be faxed or e-mailed to you by contacting King County Elections directly, or the Federal Voting Assistance Program at one of the following fax numbers: 703-693-5527, 800-368-8683 or DSN 223-5527.
If returning your ballot by fax, your original, signed oath and ballot must be received in our office by 9 a.m. prior to certification of the election, which occurs 15 days after the August primary or spring special elections and 21 days after the November General Election.
There are three options for returning your ballot via fax:
- You may return your faxed ballot via normal mail delivery.
- You may return your ballot via fax to 206-296-0108; however, you must waive your right to secrecy. Include a cover sheet with your printed name, date of birth and the statement: "I understand that by faxing my voted ballot, I am voluntarily waiving my right to a secret ballot." You must sign below the statement. You must also fax a copy of the signed voter oath which is on the outside of the absentee ballot envelope.
- Your regular absentee ballot may be faxed back and must include the secrecy waiver and a copy of the signed voter oath which is on the outside of the absentee envelope.
Federal write-in absentee ballot
Federal write-in absentee ballots may be used by active military and overseas civilian voters residing outside the United States if their regular absentee ballot has not been received in a timely manner.
These ballots can be obtained from your Installation Voting Officer or from any US Embassy or Consular Office or you may request the write-in ballot directly from the Federal Voting Assistance Program. Learn more by visiting http://www.fvap.gov/.
These ballots must be received by 4:30 p.m. the day prior to the election’s certification, which occurs 15 days after the August primary and 21 days after the November General Election.
