PRINCIPLE VIII :
Protecting Deployed Military Voters, Separate from Overseas Civilians
Principle VIII Checklist for Election Integrity
A. Separate Procedures for Registration / Voting by Overseas Civilian Citizens from Deployed Military
- Establish distinct and separate tracks for accessing the UOCAVA process for military voters (active-duty, including domestic and overseas) and civilian overseas voters, with tailored procedures, documentation, and ballot access rules to reflect differing logistical needs and verification requirements of each category
- Establish a single statewide point of contact in the office of the chief election official of the state for all UOCAVA voters, who shall be responsible for:
- Issuance of guidelines for registration and voting under UOCAVA
- Receipt and processing of the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), and verification of identity, citizenship and eligibility to vote in the State
- Issuance and receipt/return/processing of absentee ballots
- The chief state election official shall maintain records for all UOCAVA voters which shall include the FPCAs, ballots, envelopes, documents required for verification of eligibility, and other records, which shall be retained and published in accordance with applicable election records requirements.
- No UOCAVA ballots may be hand-delivered but must be returned to the chief state election official in accordance with the provisions of UOCAVA and state law.
B. For Military: Apply to All Active-Duty Deployments, Not Just Overseas
- Extend UOCAVA voting process to all active-duty military voters and their dependents, including those deployed domestically in another state but who meet eligibility requirements for voting in the State of prior residence under federal law:
- Active-duty status
- U.S. citizen
- Prior state residency (required under UOCAVA)
- Satisfaction of state voter registration requirements
- Allow military voters to maintain voting residence in the state despite deployment location, without requiring current overseas status.
- Provide expedited and flexible processes for domestic deployments similar to overseas, recognizing unique barriers faced by service members.
C. For Military: Allow Registration / Voting if Prior Resident, Registration in State
- Conform state law to federal statutes, which define a uniformed services member as a ‘member of a uniformed service on active duty who, by reason of such active duty, is absent from the place of residence where the member is otherwise qualified to vote’;
- Uniformed services definition for purposes of this State shall include:
- A member of the active or reserve components of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps., Space Force or Coast Guard of the United States or a member of the National Guard or member of the merchant marine of the United States.
- Is a spouse or dependent of any of the above, is a United States Citizen on active duty.
- Maintains a voting residence in the state and otherwise satisfies the voter eligibility of the state.
D. For Military: Allow Email/Fax of Federal Post Card Applications (FPCA) and Ballots
- Authorize email or fax submission of Federal Post Card Applications (FPCA) and ballots to / from military voters and their dependents, facilitating access under all deployment constraints, in particular in cases where physical mail would render impossible the timely delivery of a completed absentee ballot due to deployment location or circumstances.
- Require secure handling and retention of electronic submissions, including affidavits and copies of citizenship records, voter photo identification and other documents
- Require all UOCAVA ballots to be received by the close of the polls on Election Day, with procedures for ensuring deployed military voters and their dependents have adequate notice of instructions for submitting the FCPA, the receipt and return of absentee ballots by the deadline for such ballots to be received and counted.
E. For Military: Require Copy of Military ID and Valid US Passport or other Proof of Citizenship
- Mandate submission with the FPCA of a copy of military ID and valid U.S. passport or other proof of US citizenship for military voter registration and ballot return.
- Provide instructions for inclusion on the FPCA the evidence or indicia of prior state residency.
- Establish standards for rejection of FPCA applications or ballots lacking documentation required for verification of residency and citizenship and notice to military voters and their dependents of verification requirements.
F. For Military: If No Prior Registration / Residency in State, Allow Voting in District of Columbia
- Congress should provide for registration of military voters with no prior state residency in any state to register to vote in the District of Columbia
- States shall coordinate with the District of Columbia election authorities to refer military voters who do not qualify to vote in this State, to become registered to vote in the District of Columbia and to vote absentee there, ensuring military voters are not disenfranchised.
G. For Civilians: Eligibility to Register and Vote
- The UOCAVA voting process shall be available to overseas civilian citizens who meet eligibility requirements for voting in this State, to-wit:
- An individual who is a U.S. citizen
- Was last domiciled or registered to vote in the state
- Meets all other voter registration requirements in the state, including residency
- Temporarily resides outside of the United States
H. For Civilians: Allow Registration / Voting if Prior Resident, Registration in State
- Conform state law to federal law which defines an overseas citizen voter as a person who resides outside the United States and is qualified to vote in the last place in which the person was domiciled before leaving the United States or a person who resides outside the United States and (but for such residence) would be qualified to vote in the last place in which the person was domiciled before leaving the United States.
- The chief state election official shall be responsible for verification of the eligibility of all overseas civilian citizens’ to register and vote in the State.
I. For Civilians: Allow Email/Fax of Federal Post Card Applications (FPCA) and Ballots
- Authorize email or fax submission of Federal Post Card Applications (FPCA) and ballots to / from overseas citizen voters.
- Require secure handling and retention of electronic submissions, including affidavits and copies of citizenship records, voter photo identification and other documents
- Require all UOCAVA ballots to be received by the close of the polls on Election Day, with procedures for ensuring overseas voters have adequate notice of instructions for submitting the FCPA, the receipt and return of absentee ballots by the deadline for such ballots to be received and counted.
J. For Civilians: Require Copy of Valid US Passport or other Proof of Citizenship and Proof of Overseas Residency
- Mandate submission with the FPCA of a copy of a valid U.S. passport or other proof of US citizenship for both voter registration and for ballot return.
- Mandate submission of proof of overseas residency, by inclusion of a lease or rental agreement or other proof of residency outside the United States
- Provide instructions for inclusion on the FPCA the evidence or indicia of prior state residency.
- Establish standards for rejection of FPCA applications or ballots lacking documentation required for verification of residency and citizenship and notice to overseas voters of verification requirements.
K. For Civilians: If No Prior Registration / Residency in State, Allow Voting in District of Columbia
- Congress should provide for registration of overseas voters with no prior state residency in any state to register to vote in the District of Columbia.
Model Laws for Principle VII. Ensure Transparency of Elections and Election Records
Model Laws for Principle VIII. Protecting Deployed Military Voters, Separate from Overseas Civilians
Deployed military voters face unique barriers to voting and should receive strong, streamlined protections that reflect their service, while overseas civilians are handled under a distinct, clearly verified process. This Principle provides Model Laws to centralize UOCAVA administration at the state level, extend robust protections and flexible transmission options to uniformed service members and their dependents, and separately define and verify eligibility for overseas civilian citizens. Together, these measures help ensure that military voters can cast timely, counted ballots without being lost in civilian overseas systems, and that all U.S. citizens abroad vote under clear, secure rules.
Index – Model Laws for Principle VIII: Military and Overseas Voters
- UOCAVA Statewide Administration and Records Act
Creates a single statewide point of contact in the chief election office for all UOCAVA voters, sets documentation and records requirements, and directs that UOCAVA ballots be returned through prescribed mail or secure electronic means rather than third‑party hand‑delivery to polling places. - Uniformed Services and Dependents Voting Protection Act
Extends UOCAVA‑style protections to all active‑duty deployments (domestic and overseas), aligns state definitions with federal law, authorizes email and fax transmission of FPCAs and ballots where permitted, requires proof of identity and citizenship, and directs non‑resident military voters toward District of Columbia registration when they lack state residency. - Overseas Civilian Citizens Voting Protection Act
Defines eligibility and verification standards for overseas civilian citizens, requires state‑level verification of citizenship and prior domicile, authorizes email and fax for FPCAs and ballots where allowed, requires a U.S. passport plus proof of overseas residency, and encourages D.C. registration when no state residency exists.
Model Law 1: UOCAVA Statewide Administration and Records Act
Section 1. Short Title.
This Act may be cited as the "UOCAVA Statewide Administration and Records Act."
Section 2. Single Statewide Point of Contact for UOCAVA Voters.
(A) The [Chief Election Official] shall serve as, or shall designate within the chief election office, a single statewide point of contact for all voters covered by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA), including uniformed services voters, their eligible dependents, and overseas civilian citizens.
(B) The statewide UOCAVA point of contact shall be responsible for:
(1) Issuing guidelines for registration and voting under UOCAVA;
(2) Receiving and processing Federal Post Card Applications (FPCAs);
(3) Verifying the identity, citizenship, and eligibility of UOCAVA applicants to vote in this State; and
(4) Issuing, receiving, and processing absentee ballots for UOCAVA voters, in coordination with local election officials.
Section 3. Records and Retention for UOCAVA Voters.
(A) The [Chief Election Official] shall maintain records for all UOCAVA voters, including:
(1) FPCAs and associated documentation;
(2) Copies of ballots issued and any ballot envelopes;
(3) Documents used to verify eligibility, identity, citizenship, residency, and prior state domicile; and
(4) Logs or databases tracking transmission and return of ballots and related communications.
(B) Records shall be retained and published or made available in accordance with state election‑records and public‑records laws, consistent with protection of sensitive personal information.
Section 4. Return of UOCAVA Ballots.
(A) UOCAVA ballots shall be returned in the manner prescribed by UOCAVA and this State’s election laws, including return by mail or secure electronic means as authorized under the Uniformed Services and Dependents Voting Protection Act and the Overseas Civilian Citizens Voting Protection Act.
(B) UOCAVA ballots shall not be hand‑delivered by third parties directly to polling places; they shall be returned to the [Chief Election Official] or designated UOCAVA office in accordance with law.
Section 5. Rulemaking and Implementation.
(A) The [Chief Election Official] may promulgate rules necessary to implement this Act, including procedures for coordination with local election officials and for secure handling of UOCAVA records.
(B) This Act shall be codified in [Title __, Chapter__ of the State Election Code], and any conflicting provision of law is repealed to the extent of the conflict.
Model Laws 2: Uniformed Services and Dependents Voting Protection Act
Section 1. Short Title.
This Act may be cited as the "Uniformed Services and Dependents Voting Protection Act."
Section 2. Definitions.
(A) For purposes of this Act, "uniformed services voter" means a member of a uniformed service on active duty who, by reason of such active duty, is absent from the place of residence where the member is otherwise qualified to vote, consistent with federal law.
(B) For purposes of this State, "uniformed services" includes:
(1) Members of the active or reserve components of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and Coast Guard of the United States;
(2) Members of the National Guard; and
(3) Members of the merchant marine of the United States.
(C) "Dependent" means the spouse or eligible dependent of a uniformed services voter who is a United States citizen, maintains a voting residence in this State, and otherwise satisfies voter‑eligibility requirements.
Section 3. Applicability to All Active‑Duty Deployments.
(A) The State shall extend UOCAVA procedures and protections to all active‑duty uniformed services voters and their dependents who are otherwise eligible to vote in this State, including those deployed domestically in another state, provided they:
(1) Are on active duty status;
(2) Are United States citizens;
(3) Had a prior voting residence or domicile in this State as required under federal law; and
(4) Satisfy the State’s registration and eligibility requirements.
(B) Military voters may maintain voting residence in this State despite deployment location, whether inside or outside the United States, without being required to establish or maintain an overseas physical presence.
(C) The [Chief Election Official] shall provide expedited and flexible processes for domestic deployments similar to those available for overseas deployments, recognizing the unique barriers faced by service members.
Section 4. Registration and Voting Eligibility.
(A) State law shall conform to federal law defining a uniformed services member for voting purposes, so that a member on active duty who is absent due to such duty from their residence in this State may register and vote in this State as a UOCAVA voter.
(B) A uniformed services voter or eligible dependent may register and vote in this State if:
(1) The voter is a U.S. citizen;
(2) The voter was last domiciled or registered to vote in this State before leaving; and
(3) The voter meets all other voter‑registration requirements of this State, other than physical presence at the time of registration or voting.
Section 5. FPCA Submission; Email and Fax Transmission.
(A) Uniformed services voters and their eligible dependents may submit Federal Post Card Applications (FPCAs) by mail, email, or fax to the statewide UOCAVA point of contact.
(B) The State may transmit blank ballots and receive voted ballots from uniformed services voters and their dependents by mail, secure email, or fax where permitted by law, particularly in cases where physical mail would make timely voting impossible due to deployment location or circumstances.
(C) All electronic submissions shall be handled and retained securely, including affidavits and copies of citizenship records, voter photo identification, and other required documents.
(D) All UOCAVA ballots submitted by uniformed services voters and dependents must be received by the close of polls on Election Day to be counted, and the [Chief Election Official] shall provide clear instructions and timelines to allow timely return.
Section 6. Proof of Identity, Citizenship, and Residency.
(A) With each FPCA submitted by a uniformed services voter, the applicant shall provide:
(1) A copy of a valid military identification card; and
(2) A copy of a valid United States passport or other acceptable proof of U.S. citizenship as defined by state law.
(B) The FPCA or accompanying documentation shall include evidence or indicia of prior residency or domicile in this State, such as a prior address, voter registration, or other proof.
(C) The [Chief Election Official] shall establish standards for rejection of FPCA applications or ballots lacking documentation required to verify residency and citizenship, and shall provide notice to affected voters of the requirements and any deficiencies, with reasonable opportunity to cure where time permits.
Section 7. Military Voters Without State Residency; District of Columbia Option.
(A) The Legislature urges Congress to provide for registration of uniformed services voters who have no prior residency in any state to register and vote in the District of Columbia.
(B) The [Chief Election Official] shall coordinate, to the extent permitted by law, with District of Columbia election authorities to refer uniformed services voters who do not qualify to vote in this State, so that such voters may register and vote absentee in the District of Columbia and are not disenfranchised.
Section 8. Rulemaking and Implementation.
(A) The [Chief Election Official] may promulgate rules necessary to implement this Act, including secure electronic transmission procedures and documentation standards.
(B) This Act shall be codified in [Title __, Chapter__ of the State Election Code], and any conflicting provision of law is repealed to the extent of the conflict.
Model Laws 3: Overseas Civilian Citizens Voting Protection Act
Section 1. Short Title.
This Act may be cited as the "Overseas Civilian Citizens Voting Protection Act."
Section 2. Definitions and Eligibility.
(A) For purposes of this Act, an "overseas civilian citizen voter" is a U.S. citizen who resides outside the United States and is qualified to vote in this State as:
(1) A person who was last domiciled or registered to vote in this State before leaving the United States; or
(2) A person who resides outside the United States and, but for such residence, would be qualified to vote in this State as the last place of domicile before leaving the United States, consistent with federal law.
(B) The UOCAVA voting process shall be available to overseas civilian citizens who:
(1) Are United States citizens;
(2) Were last domiciled or registered to vote in this State; and
(3) Meet all other voter‑registration requirements of this State, except current physical presence.
Section 3. Chief State Election Official Responsibility.
(A) The [Chief Election Official], acting as the statewide UOCAVA point of contact, shall be responsible for verifying the eligibility of all overseas civilian citizens to register and vote under this Act.
(B) Verification shall include confirmation of:
(1) U.S. citizenship;
(2) Prior residency or domicile in this State; and
(3) Current overseas residence.
Section 4. FPCA Submission; Email and Fax Transmission.
(A) Overseas civilian citizens may submit Federal Post Card Applications (FPCAs) by mail, email, or fax to the statewide UOCAVA point of contact.
(B) The State may transmit blank ballots and receive voted ballots from overseas civilian citizens by mail, secure email, or fax where permitted by law, particularly when physical mail would prevent timely voting due to the voter’s location.
(C) All electronic submissions shall be handled and retained securely, including affidavits and copies of citizenship records, voter photo identification, and other required documents.
(D) All UOCAVA ballots submitted by overseas civilian citizens must be received by the close of polls on Election Day to be counted, and the [Chief Election Official] shall provide clear instructions and timelines to allow timely return.
Section 5. Proof of Citizenship and Overseas Residency.
(A) With each FPCA submitted by an overseas civilian citizen, the applicant shall provide
(1) A copy of a valid United States passport or other acceptable proof of U.S. citizenship as defined by state law; and
(2) Proof of overseas residency, such as a lease or rental agreement, utility bill, employment contract, or equivalent documentation demonstrating residence outside the United States.
(B) The FPCA or accompanying documents shall include evidence or indicia of prior state residency or domicile in this State.
(C) The [Chief Election Official] shall establish standards for rejection of FPCA applications or ballots lacking documentation required to verify residency and citizenship, and shall provide notice to affected voters of the requirements and any deficiencies, with reasonable opportunity to cure where time permits.
Section 6. Overseas Voters Without State Residency; District of Columbia Option.
(A) The Legislature urges Congress to provide for registration of overseas voters who have no prior residency in any state to register and vote in the District of Columbia.
(B) The [Chief Election Official] shall, to the extent permitted by law, refer overseas voters who do not qualify to vote in this State to the District of Columbia election authorities so that they may register and vote absentee there and are not disenfranchised.
Section 7. Rulemaking and Implementation.
(A) The [Chief Election Official] may promulgate rules necessary to implement this Act, including secure electronic transmission procedures, documentation standards, and coordination with federal and District of Columbia authorities.
(B) This Act shall be codified in [Title __, Chapter__ of the State Election Code], and any conflicting provision of law is repealed to the extent of the conflict.
Principle 8 Appendix
Core federal law and guidance
Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) – UOCAVA overview.
https://www.fvap.gov/info/laws/uocava
Department of Justice (DOJ) – UOCAVA enforcement page.
https://www.justice.gov/crt/uniformed-and-overseas-citizens-absentee-voting-act
FVAP – About page (administration of UOCAVA).
https://www.fvap.gov/info/about
FVAP – “How Election Officials Serve UOCAVA Voters.”
https://www.fvap.gov/eo/overview
EAC – fact sheet “Serving UOCAVA Voters.”
https://www.eac.gov/sites/default/files/2025-05/UOCAVA_Fact_Sheet_V2.1_Final_508.pdf
State models
Pennsylvania Uniformed and Overseas Military Overseas Voting Act (UMOVA) (Title 25).
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/25/25.HTM
Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3511 (including § 3511.021).
https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/chapter-3511
Arizona military/overseas absentee (e.g., A.R.S. § 16‑547).
https://www.azleg.gov/ars/16/00547.htm
Alabama military absentee (e.g., § 17‑11‑49).
https://dev.alison.legislature.state.al.us/code-of-alabama?section=17-11-49
Local practice example – Okaloosa County, FL, military/overseas voter guidance.
https://www.voteokaloosa.gov/voters/military-overseas-voters/
Reports and model resources
Honest Elections Project (HEP)
The Never Resided Act
American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)
The Never Resided Act
https://alec.org/model-policy/prohibiting-foreign-funding-from-ballot-initiatives-act-2-2-2/