Military/Overseas (UOCAVA)

UOCAVA (Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act) voters are U.S. citizens who are:

• Members of the Uniformed Services (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps);
• Members of the Merchant Marines;
• Eligible family members of the above;
• U.S. citizens residing outside the U.S.

Voting is one of our most fundamental rights as U.S. citizens. The Marin County Elections Department is dedicated to ensuring UOCAVA voters have the tools and resources to vote.

The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act of 1986, commonly referred to as UOCAVA, provides the legal basis for sending ballots to military and overseas voters.

The Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act (MOVE) amended UOCAVA and other statutes by providing greater protections for Service Members, their eligible family members and other overseas citizens.

State and Federal laws require ballots be sent to registered UOCAVA voters between 60 and 45 days before an election.

All UOCAVA voters’ select a Ballot Receipt preference when registering – choices are email, mail or fax. If you select email, we email a link so you can access your ballot and election materials online. Ballots from Marin County Elections Department have all federal, state and local offices you are eligible to vote for in an election.

If you did not receive a ballot by mail or email and you cannot make contact with us, you can access a ballot on the Federal Voter Assistance Program's website.