Military & Overseas Voters

Registration and Absentee Voting Information for Military & Overseas Voters

Military & Overseas Voters

Illinois citizens, who live overseas or are serving in the U.S. armed forces and will not be in their home county on Election Day, may register and vote by using one of the methods outlined below. Please be advised that for military personnel, Illinois law allows you to register to vote and to apply for an absentee ballot at the same time.

Illinois Military & Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE)

The MOVE website will enable you to set up a MOVE account to register to vote and request absentee ballots for upcoming Federal Elections. This site was designed to help ease the burden of members of the Uniformed Services (and their eligible dependents) and overseas voters in requesting a voter registration and an absentee ballot application. This site will give you the ability to keep in contact with your local election official and to track the status of your application and ballot.

Federal Voting Assistance Program

The Federal Postcard Application is a form provided by the Department of Defense to permit members of the U.S. armed forces, their dependents and U.S. citizens abroad to vote by absentee ballot and if necessary, to register to vote. This Postcard Application may be submitted by mail, fax, or email to your respective local election authority. Please visit Federal Voting Assistance Program website for more information and to obtain the application.

Military & Overseas Voter Guides

The Military and Overseas Voter Guidelines Manual has been developed to help Military personnel and all Illinois residents living overseas. This manual outlines each step that needs to be taken to ensure your absentee ballot is filled out correctly and that your vote will be counted. It will walk you through the process of completing a FVAP application, it will help you to locate your local election authority and it provides a list of frequently asked questions.

  • For more information, access the Military and Overseas Voter Guidelines

Special State Write-In Ballot

If you feel the time is getting short and you have not yet received your full state ballot, please print off the Special State Write-In Ballot; complete the ballot and mail back to your local election official.

  • For more information, access the Special State Write-In Ballot