Vote from military or abroad

Apply Online

The quickest way to apply for an absentee ballot when you're in the military or out of the country is online. You do not need to be registered, but you do need an email address and a Minnesota ID or SSN.

• The online absentee application is always available, but we recommend you apply at least two months before an election to allow enough time for your application to be processed, for your ballot to be sent to you, and for you to return your ballot.
• Choosing to receive your ballot via email is usually the fastest way to get your ballot. The completed ballot always needs to be returned via mail. 
• If you have both MN ID and SSN, we recommend you enter both on the application.

Apply for a military/overseas ballot online

Download an Application

Another way to apply is to download the Absentee Ballot Request (also known as the Federal Post Card Application), then return the completed application to your county election office by email, mail, or fax. The Federal Voting Assistance Program has also translated materials into multiple languages.

We recommend you apply at least two months before an election to allow enough time for your application to be processed, for your ballot to be sent to you, and for you to return your ballot. 

More Details

Applying for a ballot

• Citizens living abroad must declare if they are temporarily or indefinitely overseas.
  • Generally, those with plans to return to the U.S. are temporarily overseas. They will be registered to vote at their Minnesota address and get a normal ballot.
  • Generally, those with no plans to return to the U.S. are indefinitely overseas. They will not be registered to vote in Minnesota, and will get a special ballot that only has federal offices on it.
• Military members include Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, Commissioned corps of the Public Health Service, Commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Minnesotans enrolled as students at a U.S. Service Academy.
• Military members can also get help from their voting assistance officer (VAO).
• A spouse, parent, sibling or child age 18 and over can apply on your behalf.

Getting your ballot

• UOCAVA voters have the option to receive their ballot via email, fax, or mail. If you receive materials by email, you must print them.
• Ballots are ready at least 46 days before the election. Election officials will send your ballot as quickly as possible after receiving your application.
• You will automatically receive a ballot for any elections you can vote in through December 31 of the year you apply, or through the next election held in November of an even-number year, whichever is later.
• Re-apply annually and after a change of mailing address to ensure your information is up-to-date.

Returning your ballot

• Your physical ballot must be returned--ballots cannot be returned electronically
• Ballots can be returned via mail, package delivery service (such as FedEx or UPS) or the diplomatic pouch at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate
• Ballots must be received by election officials by Election Day to be counted
• If you do not have time to request and receive voting materials, download and print an emergency ballot called the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). The ballot will have blanks for you to write your choices. Your write-in ballot must still be mailed back and received by Election Day.
• Use Track your ballot to see when your ballot is received by election officials.

2026 UOCAVA Absentee Voting Dates

Ballots are available starting 46 days before an election (except for March Township elections, which are available 30 days before the election). Relevant dates for this year's August primary and November general election are below.

Primary Election

• Recommended you apply before: Friday, June 5
• Ballots sent starting: Friday, June 26
• Recommended you mail ballot back before: Friday, July 10
• Ballot must be received by: Tuesday, August 11

General Election

• Recommended you apply before: Friday, August 28
• Ballots sent starting: Friday, September 18
• Recommended you mail ballot back before: Friday, October 2
• Ballot must be received by: Tuesday, November 3