Voting is one of our fundamental rights as U.S. citizens. Members of the military, their families, and Americans living abroad can choose to exercise that right from anywhere in the world through voting by mail/absentee voting. The Election Assistance Commission (EAC), the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP), and the United States Postal Service (USPS) are part of this process.

The absentee voting process applies to U.S. citizens protected by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA):

• 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.

Each state has mail-in voting, but some states only allow a person to vote by mail in certain circumstances. For example, some states only allow voting by mail when the citizen has applied for an absentee ballot—also known as a ballot by mail.

Voting procedures and requirements for state and federal elections are generally governed by state law and vary from state to state.

In Connecticut, all U.S. citizens, including members of the military, their families, and Americans living abroad, are entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the protections of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA). This act ensures that those serving in the Uniformed Services, Merchant Marines, and other eligible citizens residing outside the U.S. can participate in federal, state, and local elections. Connecticut allows for absentee voting not only for UOCAVA citizens but also for those who meet certain state-specific criteria, such as illness, physical disability, or absence from the town during all hours of voting. To vote by mail, eligible voters must first apply for an absentee ballot through their local town clerk's office. The state provides specific guidelines and deadlines for applying for and submitting absentee ballots to ensure that all votes are counted. The Election Assistance Commission (EAC), the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP), and the United States Postal Service (USPS) facilitate the process of voting by mail for UOCAVA voters, providing resources and assistance to ensure their votes are cast and counted.