As an active military or overseas U.S. citizen, you have several options for registering to vote, receiving your ballot and returning it.  This includes National Guard or Reserves, and spouses or dependents away from home due to service.

Registration deadlines

Active military and overseas U.S. citizens who are not already registered in Washington are exempt from the regular voter registration deadlines. The deadline for new registrants is Election Day. 

If you are already registered to vote in Washington and need to update your registration, the deadline to do so is 8 days before Election Day.

Registering to vote

You can register online at VoteWA.gov, use a Federal Post Card Application, or use this Voter Registration form and return it by 

Email:       elections@clark.wa.gov
Fax:          (564) 397-2394
Mail:        Clark County Elections
                 PO Box 8815
                 Vancouver, WA 98666

When registering, you must use your most recent residential address in Washington or an address of a family member. Your mailing address can be anywhere in the world. A Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot, accompanied by a signed ballot declaration also constitutes registration under state law.

Receiving your ballot

Washington is a vote-by-mail state, and most voters receive ballots by mail.  You will receive your ballot 30 days before a special election and 45 days before a primary or general election. State law allows active military and overseas U.S. citizens to receive their ballot by email. Please notify our office if you prefer this option. Our office will email you with a link and instructions on how to access your ballot electronically.

Please note: This is not online voting. You will need a PDF reader installed on your computer. It is also recommended to have access to a printer so you can print your voted ballot and ballot return packet and return it to our office.

Returning your ballot

The ballot return packet provides instructions on how to return your ballot. Your signed affidavit envelope or declaration sheet must accompany your voted ballot in order for it to be counted. You may return your ballot using one of the following options:

Email:                     AbsenteeVoting@clark.wa.gov
Fax:                        (360) 759-6848

If you return your ballot by email or fax, your completed ballot packet must be received by 8 pm Pacific Time on Election Day. Computer generated signatures are not allowed. 

Mail:                      Clark County Elections
                               PO Box 8815
                               Vancouver, WA 98666

Your completed ballot packet must be received in our office no later than the day before the election is certified.

Ballot Drop Box:   Click here for the ballot drop box location list.

Your completed ballot packet must be deposited in one of the official ballot drop boxes by 8 pm Pacific Time on Election Day.

Tracking your ballot

Learn how you can track your ballot.