Overseas & military voters
How to Fax Your Absentee Ballot From Anywhere in the World
If your state lets UOCAVA voters return a ballot by fax, you can do it online from any country — no fax machine. This is a plain, nonpartisan how-to. For whether fax return is allowed in your state and your deadline, always follow FVAP.gov and your county election office.
Free for a ballot · No fax machine · Works from any country
The free government fax service ended in 2025
For years, the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) ran a free email-to-fax relay (fax@fvap.gov) that overseas and military voters could use to fax their ballots. That service was discontinued on August 1, 2025. Voters who choose to return their ballot by fax now send it directly to their county election office using their own fax tool.
FaxTerra is one way to do that online from anywhere — but it’s your choice, and FVAP’s guidance and your state’s rules always come first.
Does your state allow fax return?
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 32 states, Washington D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands allow UOCAVA voters to return a voted ballot by fax. That makes fax the single most widely-permitted electronic return method — broader than email or online portals.
The states most commonly used by overseas voters include California, Florida, Alaska, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, but the list is much longer. Rules and deadlines differ by state, and some states require you to sign a waiver of your right to a secret ballot before faxing.
Always verify before you fax. State laws change. Confirm that fax return is permitted for your state, what it requires, and your exact deadline using FVAP.gov, NCSL, or your county election office. FaxTerra is a fax service, not an election authority.
How to fax your ballot
If your state permits fax return and you’ve chosen to use it, here’s the process end to end.
Request and receive your ballot
Register and request your ballot as an overseas or military voter (the FPCA) through FVAP.gov or votefromabroad.org. Your state sends your ballot — by law, at least 45 days before a federal election.
Confirm fax is allowed & find your county number
Check whether your state permits fax return and what it requires (some states require a signed waiver of secrecy). Look up your county election office’s official fax number on FVAP.gov or your state’s elections site.
Fax your signed materials
Upload your voted ballot, the voter information/cover sheet, and any required signature or waiver page, enter your county’s fax number, and send. No fax machine needed — do it from your phone or computer.
Keep your confirmation
Save the delivery confirmation as your record that your ballot was transmitted. If your state also requires you to mail the paper ballot afterward, follow that instruction too.
Works from any country
A U.S. county election office is a U.S. fax number. Sending to it works from anywhere in the world — delivery depends on the destination, not where you are.
Private by default
Uploaded over an encrypted connection, never put behind ads, never sold, and sensitive details are automatically purged on a schedule.
Delivery confirmation
You get a confirmation when your fax is transmitted — your record that the ballot went through, which a public fax machine can’t give you.
Common Questions
Can I return my absentee ballot by fax from overseas?
In many states, yes. UOCAVA (overseas and military) voters can return a voted ballot by fax in 32 states, Washington D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Whether fax return is allowed — and any conditions, like signing a waiver of secrecy — depends on your state. Always confirm with your state or county election office before faxing.
Which states let overseas voters return a ballot by fax?
Per NCSL, 32 states plus D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands permit UOCAVA fax return. The states most commonly used by overseas voters include California, Florida, Alaska, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, but the list is much broader. For the authoritative, current list — and your county’s exact rules and deadline — check NCSL’s electronic-ballot-return page and FVAP.gov, then confirm with your county election office.
The free FVAP fax service stopped — what do I use now?
The U.S. government’s free email-to-fax relay (fax@fvap.gov) was discontinued on August 1, 2025. Voters who choose to fax now send directly to their county election official using their own fax tool. FaxTerra is one option: you can fax a U.S. county office online from any country, with no fax machine. FaxZero and Fax.Plus are other commonly used services. Whichever you use, follow your state’s official instructions.
Is it free to fax my ballot?
With FaxTerra you can send up to 10 pages per month free — no credit card required — which covers a typical ballot, the voter information/cover sheet, and the signature page. You can fax from a phone, tablet, or computer. (FaxTerra is a fax service, not a campaign — faxing your ballot is just faxing, free like any other document under the free tier.)
Do I need a fax machine or my own fax number to send my ballot?
Neither. To send a ballot by fax you only need to upload your documents and enter your county’s fax number — you do not need a dedicated inbound fax number of your own. You can do it entirely online from overseas.
How do I find my county election office’s fax number?
Use FVAP.gov or votefromabroad.org to look up your state and county election office, or check your county’s official elections website. Send your ballot only to the official county fax number listed by your election authority — never to a number from an unofficial source.
Is faxing my ballot private?
Your ballot carries your name and your choices, so handle it carefully. FaxTerra is a U.S.-based service: your document is uploaded over an encrypted connection and transmitted to the number you enter, and sensitive details (like the cover message and your IP) are automatically purged on a schedule. We don’t put ads on your fax or sell your documents. See our Privacy Policy for details, and only ever fax to your official county election office.
Does faxing work if I live outside the U.S.?
Yes. A U.S. county election office is a U.S. fax number, and sending to it works from any country — delivery depends on the destination, not on where you are. Faxing a U.S. domestic number is the reliable case, which is why overseas voters use it.
- “They sent the fax absolutely free. Kudos!” — Dan
- “Easy and quick and simple” — Manda
- “Quick, easy, responsive” — David
Fax your ballot now — free
Upload from your phone or computer, enter your county’s fax number, and send. 10 pages a month free, no credit card.
Filing US paperwork from abroad year-round? See how a US fax number works from any country.
This guide is nonpartisan and for informational purposes only. FaxTerra serves all overseas and military voters and does not support or oppose any party or candidate. We do not recommend electronic ballot return over other methods — we explain how to fax where a voter’s state permits it. Eligibility, requirements, and deadlines are set by your state and county; always follow FVAP.gov and your official election authority.
Last updated June 2, 2026. State fax-return data per the NCSL.