Military and Overseas Citizens Voters
The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) protects the voting rights for Uniformed Services members and members of the US merchant marine, their families and all US citizens residing outside of the United States. In Massachusetts these voters are called Specially Qualified Voters.
The primary form for requesting an absentee ballot for Specially Qualified Voters is the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA).
If you are already a registered voter who is temporarily overseas see the Elections page.
Federal Post Card Application
On-line Federal Post Card Application
The Federal Voter Assistance Program has complete instructions on filling out the FPCA.
REMEMBER TO INCLUDE AN E-MAIL ADDRESS. E-mail is the fastest way to communicate.
Ballot Requests
Absentee voters should request an absentee ballot at least 60 days before an election. This will allow enough by-mail transit time.
The FPCA must be received in the Clerk’s Office by NOON the Monday before an election.
Faxed forms may be accepted. HOWEVER, the original signed FPCA form must be returned to the Clerk’s Office by mail in order for your ballot to count. The signed form may be returned with your ballot, but must be returned outside the inner ballot envelope.
Eligibility to Vote in Andover
Overseas Citizens: May vote in Andover if it is the community where the citizen last resided immediately prior to departing the US.
Military Citizens: May vote in Andover if the citizen’s present domicile (place where he lives and plans to remain) is Andover and the citizen is out of town due to active service in the Uniformed Services, US merchant marine, or that citizen’s spouse or family member.
The Town Clerk’s Office and Board of Registrars determines a citizen’s eligibility to vote in Andover. On the FPCA please include as much information regarding your Andover address as possible – including the year you last lived in Andover.
Returning Ballots
Local and State Elections: Ballots must be received by the close of polls Election Day
Federal Elections: Ballot must be postmarked by Election Day and received by the Clerk’s Office no later than 10 days after the Election.
Massachusetts does not allow e-mailed ballots or faxed ballots.
For timely return of ballots it is recommended that you use the APO or FPO through your military installation or the Diplomatic Post Office through an Embassy or Consulate. There is no charge for mailing ballots through Military of Diplomatic Mail. Make sure there is a clear Post Mark for the date of mailing.
If using a foreign mail service please ensure that proper postage is used and that there is a clear Post Mark for the date of mailing.
Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot
Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) is only available to UOCAVA voters who have timely requested but not received their regular absentee ballot.
The Federal Write-In Ballot is available through Voting Assistance Officers at military installations, embassies, consulates and online, Federal Write-In Ballot
For more information click here: Federal Voter Assistance Program (FWAB).
Massachusetts does not allow e-mailed ballots or faxed ballots.
Contact:
For more information on military or overseas voters, please contact us at (978) 623-8256, or townclerk@andoverma.gov
Our address is: 36 Bartlet Street, Andover, MA 01810