Absentee voting deadlines and procedures approach for November election

As the November 3 election approaches, officials are providing guidance for voters utilizing absentee ballots. For service members, their families, and U.S. citizens living overseas, the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) offers resources to navigate registration and ballot requests under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA).

Individuals who have requested a ballot but have not received one are advised to use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Additionally, the U.S. Postal Service is providing free Priority Mail Express service for military ballots traveling from overseas APO and FPO origins to U.S. election offices.

In specific jurisdictions, such as South Carolina, the State Election Commission notes that absentee voting is available to those with qualifying reasons, including physical disabilities, being age 65 or older, or having employment obligations. For the upcoming general election, the deadline to return absentee ballot applications is 5 p.m. on Friday, October 23.