Tips for California's Military and Overseas Voters

Taking part in elections is more convenient than ever for Californians serving in the military or living outside the United States. It begins when you register to vote as a military or overseas voter and receive election materials by mail, fax, or email. Be prepared!

• Start early. California’s county elections officials must send ballots to military and overseas voters no later than 45 days before Election Day. Fill out a voter registration application early at registertovote.ca.gov to ensure that you receive your voting materials in time and can return your voted ballot by Election Day.
• Know your options. When registering to vote as a military or overseas voter, you can choose to have your ballot mailed, faxed, or emailed to you. Additionally, you may visit your county elections official’s website for information about how to download your ballot and election materials. You may return your voted ballot to your county elections official by mail or, in certain circumstances, by fax. If you meet the requirements to return your ballot by fax, you must also fax the Oath of Voter form (available from your county elections official) waiving your right to a confidential ballot.

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• Alert! The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) has discontinued their service of faxing military and overseas voters’ election materials to county elections officials.
• What this means: you can no longer send your voted ballot to fax@fvap.gov.
• If you wish to return your voted ballot by fax, you must send it directly to your county elections official.

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• Stay in touch. Once you register as a military or overseas voter, you will continue to receive a ballot and election materials from your county elections official before each statewide election. However, you will need to update your voter registration if you change your address, your name, or your political party preference. Visit sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/military-overseas-voters/ for more election resources designed especially for you.

Dates to remember:

October 20, 2025: Last day for military and overseas voters to register to vote for the Statewide Special Election.

October 21–November 4, 2025: Same Day Registration is available. You may "conditionally" register to vote a provisional ballot during this time. Contact your county elections official for more information.

November 4, 2025: Election Day. Return your ballot by mail as soon as you receive it. Mailed ballots must be postmarked no later than Election Day and received by your county elections office no later than November 12, 2025. Faxed ballots must be delivered to your county elections office by close of polls, no later than 8:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on Election Day.

For more information, contact:

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