The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) is a federal law that allows certain groups to vote absentee in federal elections, even while stationed or living outside the United States.

UOCAVA applies to:

• Active-duty members of the Uniformed Services, Merchant Marine, commissioned corps of the Public Health Service, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• Eligible family members of these military personnel
• U.S. citizens living outside the United States

In North Carolina, UOCAVA is implemented under Article 21A of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes.

Yes. If you are the spouse or dependent of a military member, you are eligible to vote absentee under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA).

Under North Carolina law (G.S. 163-258), both you and the military member are considered covered voters under UOCAVA—even if you are not currently away from your voting residence—so long as you live with or accompany them.

I am a student studying abroad. Does this apply to me?

Yes. U.S. citizens who are studying outside the country during an election and wish to vote absentee are covered by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA).

Students may use the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to register and request their absentee ballot while abroad.

The student’s voting residence remains the last address they lived at in the United States before leaving to study abroad. Even if no one currently resides at that address, it is still considered their voting residence.

• Military/overseas citizens may use the FPCA to register to vote and request an absentee ballot simultaneously. It can also be used to update contact information.
• The FPCA allows you to request an absentee ballot for all elections in one calendar year.
• We recommend that you send in a new FPCA every January and each time you move while you are in the military or a U.S. citizen living outside the country.
  • Note: It will not affect your U.S. citizenship or ability to receive a ballot if you select “my return is uncertain” on the FPCA.

 https://votebymail.ncsbe.gov/app/fpca/fpca-form

Not always. Military and overseas voters covered by UOCAVA may submit a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to request absentee ballots for all elections held in the same calendar year.

A new FPCA is recommended each January, or whenever the voter’s mailing address or contact details change, to help ensure ballot delivery is not delayed or missed.

The deadline to submit the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) is 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the day before Election Day.

Covered voters under UOCAVA are encouraged to submit their application as early as possible to allow enough time to receive and return their absentee ballot.

No. Only the military or overseas voter may request their absentee ballot under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA).

Unlike traditional absentee voting in North Carolina, near relatives and legal guardians may not submit a ballot request on behalf of a UOCAVA voter.

Election offices are required by federal law to send absentee ballots to military and overseas voters at least 45 days before any election with a federal contest. North Carolina sends ballots even earlier:

• 60 days before a statewide general election held in even-numbered years
• 50 days before any other election, unless the State Board authorizes 45 days
• 30 days before municipal elections

For more details, see Military and Overseas Voting – NCSBE or FVAP.gov.

The return deadline for military and overseas absentee ballots (including Federal Write-in Absentee Ballots or FWABs) is 7:30 PM ET on Election Day.

However, if the ballot is mailed by 12:01 AM in the voter’s local time on Election Day, it will still be considered timely as long as it is received by the Chatham County Board of Elections by 5 PM on the business day before county canvass.

County canvass typically occurs 10 days after Election Day, or 7 days in September and October odd-year municipal elections.

For official guidance, refer to Military and Overseas Voting – NCSBE.

What if my ballot doesn’t arrive in time?

If a military or overseas absentee ballot does not arrive in time, voters may use the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB) as a backup ballot.

The FWAB is accepted for federal, state, and local contests. If a voter’s official absentee ballot later arrives and is also submitted, only one ballot will be counted.

To complete the FWAB correctly, voters will need to look up the contests and candidates on their sample ballot. This can be done by using the State Board’s Voter Lookup Tool or by contacting the Chatham County Board of Elections.

For full details and instructions, download the FWAB below:

The Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB) is an emergency backup ballot that can be used by military and overseas voters who do not receive their regular absentee ballot in time to vote.

It is available for all federal, state, and local contests. Military and overseas voters can use it to:

• Register to vote
• Request a ballot
• Vote absentee

For more information or to access a copy, visit the Military and Overseas Voting page or download the FWAB below.

Your U.S. voting residence address determines your eligibility to vote in Chatham County and what ballot you receive.

For military voters, this is typically the last address you lived at in North Carolina before entering service. It remains valid even if:

• You no longer own property or have current ties to that location
• Your intent to return is uncertain
• The house has been torn down or is no longer recognized

For overseas citizens, your voting residence is the last place you lived in the U.S. before moving abroad. You do not need to have current ties to the address, and election materials will not be sent there.

For more guidance, see the Voting Residence Fact Sheet for Military and Family Members (PDF).