INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE BACKUP BALLOT (FEDERAL WRITE-IN BALLOT or FWAB)
November 5, 2024 General Election
4 TIPS:
#1: Since NY ballots must go back by POSTAL MAIL, using a FWAB NOW will give your ballot over 2 months to get back to NY State.
#2: Sending back your FWAB and your official ballot is NOT voting twice. Your county official will count EITHER the official ballot OR the FWAB. Not both.
#3: Your responses MUST MATCH the information on the BALLOT REQUEST FORM (FEDERAL POST CARD APPLICATION or FPCA).
#4: You must send your FWAB back FROM OUTSIDE THE US.
Print a hard copy of your FPCA for reference. Sign and date that FPCA to include in your outer mailing envelope.
If you submitted your FPCA using www.votefromabroad.org, the confirmation email includes a copy of your FPCA as an attachment.
We have provided step-by-step instructions below. It is similar to an FPCA and it won't take very long.
1. GO TO: FVAP.GOV/FWAB-privacy-notice
- Scroll down to click "I Accept" for the Privacy Notice
- Select "New York" on the map
- Choose your Jurisdiction (your city, town, or village in your county in New York)
2. ABSENTEE BALLOT CLASSIFICATION
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Absentee Ballot Classification - this must be the SAME as you selected on your FPCA form. Use your downloaded form for reference.
- If you haven't sent in your ballot request form yet, go to www.votefromabroad.org to fill out and submit your form.
Then come back here to submit your Backup Ballot.
3. ADDITIONAL USES OF THE FWAB
- Skip this page.
4. MY INFORMATION
- Your personal information should match your FPCA.
- You can skip POLITICAL PARTY for the general election.
5. VOTING RESIDENCE
- This is your last address in NY State. Again, refer to your FPCA.
- If the site gives you a preferred address, you can accept it.
6. MAILING ADDRESS
- This is where you CURRENTLY live.
7. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- This is just your contact info in case your Local Election Official needs to reach you.
8. VOTE CANDIDATES
**IMPORTANT** Every NY voter can vote in Federal elections. It is not just Presidential. All voters should vote for US SENATE AND US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
- Look up your Congressional Representative HERE.
You'll need to write-in your choice for anything other than Federal Candidates:
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Scroll down to the “Write In Candidates” section and type in the office: "New York State Senate" or "New York State Assembly"
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For the 2024 General Election, there ARE State Senate and State Assembly seats on the ballot. If you are a "intend to return" voter you CAN vote in these races. Please see next bullet point to find that information.
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You may also have other state and local elections on your ballot - check HERE or HERE to see. You can fill these in on the "Write In Candidates" section of the Backup Ballot as well.
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You may write in the name of the candidate or just write "Democrat."
9. CONFIRM CANDIDATES
Check box.
10. REVIEW
6. DOWNLOAD YOUR "FWAB PDF PACKAGE"
- Click the red button: "Download PDF Package"
- The PDF Package provides these materials for you to download and print out:
- Your Official Backup Ballot (FWAB) with your choice listed
- Your Voter Information sheet
- New York-specific instructions for signing and submitting your Backup Ballot (FWAB) materials
- Mailing instructions
- If you wish, you may also download templates for your envelopes ("Step 2: Get Your Envelopes to Return Your FWAB Package by Mail.") You can choose either US or European envelope templates.
However, these templates aren't required and most people find it easier to prepare their envelopes by hand.
(Detailed instructions are below.)
You can also download a "US Mail postage paid " template. But it only provides paid postage in the US Mail, US Military Mail, or the US Embassy's diplomatic pouch.
The template will not cover postage in your country's postal system. You must add your own postage.
7. PRINTING AND MAILING YOUR BACKUP BALLOT (FWAB):
You'll need 2 envelopes to return your ballot: (1) a smaller Security Envelope, and (2) a larger Outer Mailing Envelope.
Print out the materials that you downloaded in the PDF package. You may use any size paper and you may reduce the printing size to fit your paper. You should have:
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Your Official Backup Ballot (FWAB)
- A Voter Information sheet
- Instructions to Election Officials
1. Official Backup Ballot - Place in the smaller privacy envelope:
- Review your printed Backup Ballot for accuracy. Do NOT sign the ballot.
- Then seal it in the smaller security envelope. If not using the template, just use a plain, unmarked envelope.
To ensure the secrecy of your vote, only your Backup Ballot should be placed in the security envelope.
2. Voter Information Sheet:
- Review your Voter Information sheet for accuracy.
- Add your signature and date the form at the bottom.
3. Outer Mailing Envelope:
All of your materials should be sealed in the larger outer mailing envelope:
- Sealed security envelope (containing your Backup Ballot)
- Signed & dated Voter Information sheet
- Instructions to Election Officials
- PAPER/SIGNED FPCA. FOR INSURANCE.
If you're not using the template, write on the outside of the Mailing Envelope:
- “Official Absentee Ballot"
Include the full address of your Election Office, including "USA."
The address will be on the Instructions that downloaded with your PDF package. - In the upper left side, provide your return (non-US) address.
Under the return address information, write: "Ballot Enclosed for 11/24 Election"
- ADD sufficient postage to return your ballot to New York from your country.
The instructions will provide the mailing address for your Municipal Clerk (City, Town, or Village Clerk).
*Your back up ballot must be received by Election Day (November 5) or it will not be counted.
If you need any help, please write to [email protected]