The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act is commonly referred to as UOCAVA. UOCAVA citizens are U.S. citizens who are active members of the Uniformed Services, the Merchant Marine, and the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, their eligible family members, and U.S. citizens residing outside the United States.
The Act allows certain West Virginia residents who are U.S. citizens to register to vote and submit an absentee ballot for elections held within the state. UOCAVA voters may submit their absentee application beginning January 1 of the election year.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP.gov) offers voting assistance for service members and their families and overseas citizens. For an overview of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, please visit fvap.gov/info/laws/uocava.
Electronic Voting for UOCAVA Citizens
In West Virginia, UOCAVA voters are permitted to use an online ballot system. Voters who choose this option will receive login credentials from their county clerk to access their ballot through the secure Omni Ballot portal using a computer or smart device. Once the voter's selections are made, they have the opportunity to review their ballot to ensure it was marked correctly. Similar to traditional absentee voting in West Virginia, all voters must sign their name before returning their ballot. The signature and ballot may then be submitted by mail, email, fax or through the portal. Ballots are verified and tabulated by the local elections office. Learn more about the process by watching this video.
To apply to use the electronic ballot transfer method:
- Download the Federal Post Card Application and select "email or online" for how you would like to receive your voting materials.
- Email, fax, or mail the completed form to your county clerk.
A UOCAVA citizen completes a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to apply to register to vote and request an absentee ballot. The completed FPCA is submitted to the applicant's local election official.
The local election official reviews the submitted FPCA. After verifying eligibility, the local election official sends the applicant an absentee ballot.
The applicant receives an absentee ballot, votes the ballot, and returns it to the local election official to be counted.
Note: If applicants have not received an absentee ballot 30 days before the election, they should complete and submit the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) to ensure their vote is received in time to be counted.
UOCAVA voters may apply to register to vote and request an absentee ballot by completing and submitting the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) for State and Federal Elections to their West Virginia county clerk's office.
Once UOCAVA voters have submitted their FPCA and their absentee ballot is not received in time, they may submit the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). The FWAB is an emergency backup ballot for UOCAVA citizens.
For assistance with completing your Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot, please visit the FWAB Assistant online tool.
