As a military spouse or family member, you can vote absentee while living away from your voting residence or you can vote in person if you establish residence in the state where you are living. While that sentence seems simple, the steps to registering to vote as a military spouse can sometimes seem daunting. Let’s break it down.
There are two laws that govern military spouse voting 1) The Service Members Civil Relief Act (50 USCS § 4025) and 2) The Military Spouses Residency Relief Act (111 P.L. 97, 123 Stat. 3007).
Absentee Voting:
The Service Members Civil Relief Act is the law that says if you are absent from a State because you are with your spouse who is absent from a State in compliance with military orders, you do not lose your right to vote in that state. Essentially, if you are away from your state of residence because you are married to a military member who is on orders, you can still vote in your state of residence.
This often leads to the question: what is my state of residence?
The Military Spouse Residency Relief Act tells you that as a military spouse, you can:
- Retain your sponsor’s or Service member’s residency or domicile. You can be a resident of the state your spouse is from or is a resident of even if you have never lived there.
- Keep your current, established residency or domicile. You can keep your established residency so if you lived in the state of Florida when you married your military member, you can remain a resident of the state of Florida.
- Take the appropriate steps to establish a new residency or domicile. You can become a resident of any state you move to on military orders if you take the proper steps in that state to become a resident.
It’s important to note that MSRRA does not allow you to choose any state as your residence. You or your Service member must have established residency in a state. Ways to do this may include voting, paying taxes, owning property, holding a driver’s license, or registering a vehicle. Residency requirements vary by state.
MSRRA also tells you that you can choose to establish residency or domicile each time you are transferred to a new location. However, once you change your residence or domicile, you may not revert to a previous residence without re-establishing a new physical presence according to the residency laws of that state.
- Example: You are a resident of the state of Florida when you marry your military member. You move on military orders to the state of Texas and become a Texas resident. You may not become a resident of the State of Florida again unless you re-establish yourself as a resident by following the residency laws of the State of Florida (i.e. maintain a physical address in Florida).
The Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) is the primary form used to register to vote. This form can also be used to request an absentee ballot in any state. The FPCA may be obtained from a military member’s Unit Voting Assistance Officer or from the Federal Voting Assistance Program’s website or by calling the Secretary of State’s office toll-free at 1-800-274-VOTE (8683). If you’d rather not fill out the FPCA, you can also follow the policies on each state’s voting website listed out below. However, for some states, the only option is to use the FPCA for military voting.
In-Person Voting:
You can vote in person in your state of residency (as defined above). The easiest way to vote in person is likely if you become a resident of the state you are currently stationed in with your spouse. However, you could also vote in person if you are in your state of residence during election time. Remember: only some states allow registration on election day, so it is important to register to vote before election day if you are voting in person.
Voting Requirements by State:
| State | Absentee Voting | In-Person Voting |
| Alabama | You fill out an absentee ballot application and select: “I am a member of, or a spouse or dependent of a member of, the Armed Forces of the United States…” and then mail it in. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| Alaska | You fill out an absentee ballot application and select: “Active member of the Uniformed Services, Merchant Marine, or commissioned corps or an eligible spouse or dependent” and then mail it in. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| Arizona | You use the Arizona UOCAVA portal to register to vote and/or request an early ballot. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| Arkansas | You fill out an absentee ballot application and select: “I will be unavoidably absent from my polling site on Election Day” and “I am a spouse or dependent of an active service member of the United States armed services (UOCAVA)” and then mail it in. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| California | You fill out an voter registration application and select: “A U.S. citizen and an eligible spouse or dependent of a member of the Uniformed Services or Merchant Marine on active duty outside my county” and then submit it online. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| Colorado | You fill out an voter registration form and then mail it in. You then can vote your ballot online before or on election day. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| Connecticut | You fill out an absentee ballot application and select: “Active member of the Uniformed Services, Merchant Marine, or commissioned corps or an eligible spouse or dependent” and then mail it in. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| Delaware | You may register to vote and/or apply for an Absentee Ballot by completing a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) online and mailing or faxing it to the Department of Elections for the County in which you are eligible to vote. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| D.C. | You may register to vote and/or apply for an Absentee Ballot by completing a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) online. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| Florida | You can register for an absentee ballot online by selecting the county where you are a resident. Each county has different requirements. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| Georgia | You fill out an absentee ballot request and select: “A U.S. citizen and an eligible spouse or dependent of a member of the Uniformed Services or Merchant Marine on active duty outside my county” and then submit it online. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| Hawaii | You fill out an absentee ballot application and then mail it in. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| Idaho | You may register to vote and/or apply for an Absentee Ballot by completing a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) online. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| Illinois | You fill out an absentee ballot application and submit it online. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| Indiana | You fill out an absentee ballot application and submit it online. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| Iowa | Complete and sign an absentee ballot request form. Return the completed form to your county auditor. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| Kansas | You fill out an absentee ballot application and then mail it in. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| Kentucky | You fill out an absentee ballot request and then mail it in. You then can vote your ballot online before or on election day. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| Louisiana | Registered voters may submit a request for an absentee ballot electronically by logging in to the Louisiana Voter Portal and do the following: click the “Search By Voter” button;fill out the requested information and click “Submit” button;click the “Request Absentee Ballot” link found in the right hand column of the Quick Links | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| Maine | You fill out an absentee ballot application and submit it online. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| Maryland | You fill out an absentee ballot application and submit it online | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| Massachusetts | You fill out an absentee ballot application and submit it online. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| Michigan | You fill out an absentee ballot application and submit it online. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| Minnesota | Return your completed absentee application to your county election office by mail, fax or email. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| Mississippi | You may register to vote and/or apply for an Absentee Ballot by completing a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) online. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| Missouri | Use Military and Overseas Voting Access Portal to register to vote and request and receive your absentee ballot. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| Montana | You fill out an absentee ballot application and then mail it in. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| Nebraska | Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) online or Nebraska Early-Voting Application (which has to be mailed). | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| Nevada | Nevada’s Effective Absentee System for Elections (EASE) is available for use by active members of the United States Armed Forces, their spouses, and dependents for requesting a ballot. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| New Hampshire | You may register to vote and/or apply for an Absentee Ballot by completing a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) online. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| New Jersey | Complete the Application for Vote-By-Mail Ballot and return the application to their County Clerk | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| New Mexico | You fill out an absentee ballot application and submit it online. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| New York | To register as a new military voter and/or to request an absentee ballot, you must complete a Federal Post Card Application and return it to your county board of elections in New York. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| North Carolina | You select “Option 1 – Request an Absentee Ballot” online at the N.C. Absentee Ballot Portal. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| North Dakota | You fill out an absentee ballot application and submit it online. | Go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting) with a valid ID. |
| Ohio | You fill out an absentee ballot application and submit it online. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| Oklahoma | You fill out an absentee ballot application and submit it online. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| Oregon | In Oregon, we vote by mail. There are no polling places. Instead, you can vote anywhere you choose. No absentee application required. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| Pennsylvania | You fill out an absentee ballot application and submit it online. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| Rhode Island | Download the mail ballot application. Emergency Mail Ballot Application – November General Election. Then submit your mail ballot application to your local board of canvassers. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| South Carolina | Call, visit or send your request by U.S. mail to your county voter registration office. You must provide your name, date of birth and last four digits of your Social Security Number. You will be mailed an application | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| South Dakota | Download and print an Absentee Ballot Application (PDF) and mail your original, signed application to your County Election Official. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| Tennessee | You fill out an absentee ballot application and then mail it in. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| Texas | You may register to vote and/or apply for an Absentee Ballot by completing a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) online. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| Utah | You can request a ballot online (requires valid Utah driver license or valid Utah ID) or by submitting a paper form to your county clerk. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| Vermont | To register to vote and request an absentee ballot, visit the My Voter Page. Military or overseas voters may also request an absentee ballot by telephone, fax, email, or by mail. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| Virginia | If you are an absent military, you may register to vote and submit an absentee ballot application electronically for a specific election or any elections up through the next year using the Department of Elections voter registration portal. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| Washington | When registering, please indicate you are in the armed forces or living overseas. Register to vote online with VoteWA. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| West Virginia | Download the Federal Post Card Application and select “email or online” for how you would like to receive your voting materials. Email, fax, or mail the completed form to your county clerk. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| Wisconsin | If you would like to request an absentee ballot, we will first need to see if you are registered to vote. If you are not registered or your name or address has changed, you will need to register or update your registration before requesting an absentee ballot. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
| Wyoming | You fill out an absentee ballot application and submit it online. | Register to vote and go to a polling place on election day (or before if your state does early voting). |
Meet Madison
I am a WAF of 5 years, mom to a 3-year-old (with one on the way), and dog mom. My middle-school sweetheart, and husband, Daniel, was at Moody AFB in Valdosta, GA before our recent PCS to Lackland AFB where he is in training for his dream job. In my free time, I enjoy shopping, reading, and all holidays, and in another lifetime, I was an avid runner who ran half-marathons. I also am a lawyer who graduated from Florida State University College of Law in 2021 and I am barred in the state of Florida. I am passionate about helping military spouses find meaningful employment and understanding all of the laws that apply to them as a spouse.
