Military & Overseas Voting
There are several ways for a United States citizen living overseas, either as a civilian or in the military, to request, receive and return a ballot. Learn more at Federal Voting Assistance Program.
Federal Post Card Application and Ballot Request Form*
*You must provide either a Michigan issued ID number or the last four digits of your Social Security Number. If you do not have either of these numbers you must enter in Section 6: “I do not have a Social Security Number or Michigan-issued ID number.”
Federal Post Card Application Process
Active-duty military, their families, and overseas citizens can register to vote and request absentee ballots using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA process is done by mail, but specific states may offer other options to request and return ballots. To view the FPCA guidelines for Michigan, click here or the link above. Please contact us for more information about delivery and return methods, including email, fax, and state online portals.
Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). Please provide an email address or phone number in case an election official has questions regarding the voter’s application.
Email the application to City Clerk Chris Swope (Lansing City Residents only).
It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.
Please complete and return ballots as soon as they are received.
Michigan Clerk’s begin mailing absentee voter (AV) ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. Contact City Clerk Chris Swope if the ballot is not received 30 days before Election Day.
If after submitting an FPCA, the AV ballot does not arrive, please contact us first. Then:
- Vote by using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Print, sign, and mail the FWAB to to City Clerk Chris Swope
- If a voter mails a FWAB and then receives their regular AV ballot, they should still complete and mail the AV ballot. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.