Just because you're far away from home, doesn't mean you can't be heard!
If you are stationed overseas in the military or are working or traveling overseas during an election you can still vote. There are several options to help insure you get your ballot and are able to return it in time for it to be counted. With the change in the date of the Primary Election in 2007, from September to August, we will be able to mail Military and Overseas Ballots earlier.
How to Register
You may download the Washington Voter Registration Form or the Federal Postcard Application to register to vote. Send the form to:
Washington Secretary of State
Elections Division
PO Box 40237
Olympia, WA 98504-0237
If you wish to fax us this information, you may contact the Spokane County Elections Office at 509 477-6607.
How to Receive a Ballot
The Spokane County Auditor's Office is concerned that all military and overseas voters receive their ballots in a timely manner that allows the ballots to be returned in time to be counted. In order to accomplish this, we offer the following services:
- Sending you a ballot by regular mail
- Sending you a Special Absentee Ballot
- Sending you a ballot by Priority Mail or other delivery services
- Faxing you a blank ballot
- Emailing you a blank ballot
Regular Vote by Mail Ballot
- All voters will be mailed a ballot for each election (make sure we have your correct address)
- Ballots will be mailed to military and overseas voters at least 30 days prior to the election
Special Absentee Ballot
- You may request a special ballot in writing or via email up to 90 days prior to a Primary of General Election.
- Your application must state that you will not be able to return a regular ballot by normal mail within the period provided for regular vote-by-mail ballots.
- You will receive a sample ballot containing all of the races and issues on which you are entitled to vote.
- The ballot must be returned using normal mail delivery.
Email Ballot Program
- To participate in this program you must provide us with your email address, have access to a computer and printer, and have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on you computer. You can download Adobe Acrobat Reader for free.
- A ballot, voter affidavit, voting instructions and a "fold-and-tape" return envelope are sent via email as .pdf files.
- Ballots and accompanying material are sent approximately 30 days prior to each election.
- The ballot is an exact image of your regular vote-by-mail ballot.
- The ballot must be returned using normal mail delivery.
Faxed Ballots
- You may request a ballot be faxed to you by contacting the Spokane County Elections Office directly at (509) 477-2320 or our fax number (509) 477-6607or the Federal Voter Assistance Office at one of their fax numbers, (703) 693-5527, (800) 368-8683 or DSN 223-5527.
- There are three return options available for faxed ballots:
- You may return your faxed ballot by normal mail.
- You may return you ballot via fax to (509) 477-6607, however, you must wave 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 include a copy of the signed voter affidavit (oath) which is on the back of the absentee ballot envelope or can be downloaded here.
- Your regular vote-by-mail ballot may be faxed back but you must include a secrecy waiver as outlined above and a signed copy of the voter affidavit from the back of the return envelope or download it here.
When to Return a Voted Ballot
Election officials in Spokane County continue to count valid ballots returned after an election, provided they are either postmarked, or signed and dated, no later than Election Day. Vote-by-Mail ballots may be returned up to 14 days after a Primary Election or Special Election, and 20 days after a General Election.
In order to ensure that your ballot is counted, there are things you can do:
- Be sure to sign and date your vote-by-mail ballot envelope
- You may return your voted ballot by fax (see the instuctions above)
- If you will not be at your regular address, request your ballot as early as possible
- Explore an alternate delivery method
- Vote and return your ballot as early as possible
For more additional information on military and overseas voting, please visit: