Military and Overseas Voters

If you are stationed overseas in the military, traveling, or living 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 to be counted. 

How to Register

You may download the Mail-in Voter Registration form or the Federal Postcard Application to register. Or if you have a Washington State Driver's License or ID you can register on-line. If using a mail-in form send it to:

If you wish to fax us the information, you may send it to the Spokane County Elections Office at (509) 477-6607.

How to Receive a ballot

The Spokane County Election's Office is concerned that all military and overseas voters receive their ballots in a timely manner. In order to accomplish this, we offer the following services:

• Send you a ballot by regular mail
• Send you a special absentee ballot
• Send you a ballot by priority mail or other delivery service
• Fax you a blank ballot
• E-mail you a blank ballot

Regular Vote by Mail Ballot

• All voters are mailed a ballot for each election (make sure we have your correct address)
• Ballot will be mailed to military and overseas voters at least 30 days prior to each election

Special Absentee Ballot

• You may request a special absentee ballot in writing or via email up to 90 days prior to a Primary or 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 the races and issues on which you are entitled to vote.
• The ballot must be returned using normal mail delivery

E-mail Ballot Program

• To participate in the program, you must provide us with your e-mail address, have access to a computer and printer, and have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on the 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 Adobe Acrobat Reader files (.pdf).
• 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 delivery.

Faxed Ballots

• You may request a ballot be faxed to you by contacting the Spokane County Elections Office at (509) 477-2320 or our fax number, (509) 477-6607. Or contact the Federal Voter Assistance Office at (800) 368-8683, (703) 693-5527 or DSN 223-5527.
• There are three return options for faxed ballots:
• You may return them by mail
• You may fax the ballot to  (509) 477-6607. However, if you fax the ballot back, you must waive 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 your name below the statement. You must also include a copy of the signed voter affidavit (oath) which is on the back of the ballot return envelope. Or click here for a copy of the affidavit.
• Your regular vote-by-mail ballot may be faxed back, but you must include a secrecy waiver and signed copy of the voter affidavit as outlined above.

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 counted if they are returned with-in 14 days after a Primary or Special Election or within 20 days after a General Election.

In order to ensure that your ballot is counted, please take the following steps:

• Sign and date your ballot return envelope
• You may return your ballot by fax (see the section above on faxed ballots)
• If you will not be at your regular address, request your ballot as early as possible
• Explore an alternate delivery method
• Vote and return the ballot as early as possible

For additional information on military and overseas voting, please visit:

• Spokane County E-mail Ballot Program
• Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA)

• Federal Voter Assistance Program