Members of the U.S. armed forces and merchant marines, their dependents, and U.S. citizens abroad are eligible to vote early by mail and, if necessary, to temporarily register to vote. (Federal voting law defines "overseas" as anywhere outside the United States, including Canada and Mexico.)

          Military and overseas voters may use the regular registration and early voting by mail process available to all voters away from their home county on Election Day. However, there are special provisions for those who fill out a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA).
The FPCA serves as a request for a ballot by mail and also can act as a temporary voter registration. This means that if you file an FPCA, you are treated as a registered voter, whether you are on the permanent registration rolls or not. However, even if you use the FPCA, you still need to describe an address in Texas you consider your permanent home. Be sure to provide on the FPCA this permanent residence address and the address to which you want your ballot mailed.

          The FPCA also entitles military families and citizens vacationing or living abroad to at least five additional days beyond Election Day for ballots to be returned and counted by the final ballot board (can be longer if the fifth day falls on a week-end or holiday).

          FPCA applicants are encouraged to provide an email address if possible in order to expedite any communications that may be necessary once the application is received by our office.


PLEASE NOTE: Texas law now provides that Federal Post Card Applications are valid for a period of up to four years -- two federal election cycles (federal elections occur in even-numbered years). Once qualified to participate in the ballot by mail program, you will continue to be sent ballots at your overseas address until your FPCA is canceled or the four-year eligibility period expires. Should you attempt to vote in person in an election in which we have mailed a ballot to you, you will be required to complete an affidavit of cancellation. 

CHANGE OF ADDRESS - YOUR RESPONSIBILITY!
          It is a voter’s responsibility to notify his or her local election official of mailing address changes (where the ballot is mailed). Many absentee voting materials are returned marked “Address Unknown.” This problem may be caused by changes in duty stations or overseas residence addresses, or by a return to a local address. An updated FPCA may be submitted with the current address information.

Details instructions and the Federal Post Card Application are available at www.fvap.gov and www.overseasvotefoundation.org.
If you’d like to cancel your FPCA status, please submit the cancelation form found here (pdf).
Voters with questions may contact us any time for assistance.