Military & Overseas Voting
U.S. citizens who are serving in the uniformed services, eligible family members, or U.S. citizens residing outside the United States have special provisions under federal law that allow them to register to vote and receive their ballots by mail, email, or fax. These provisions are outlined in the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA).
Who This Page Is For
This page provides information for:
- Members of the U.S. Armed Forces (Active Duty, National Guard, Reserve, etc.)
- Members of the Merchant Marine and other uniformed services
- Eligible family members of uniformed service members
- U.S. citizens living outside the United States
Registering & Requesting a Ballot — Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)
The Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) serves as both:
- A voter registration form, and
- A request for an absentee ballot
This means military and overseas voters can register to vote and request their ballot with a single form.
👉 Download the FPCA (Federal Post Card Application) — fillable PDF
📄 https://www.fvap.gov/uploads/FVAP/Forms/fpca.pdf
How to Submit the FPCA
You may submit your completed FPCA to the DeKalb County Clerk & Recorder’s Office by:
- Mail: 110 E. Sycamore Street, Sycamore, IL 60178
- Fax: 815-895-7148
- Email: elections@dekalbcounty.org
(Contact us if you need help completing or submitting the form.)
When to Submit the FPCA
- You may submit the FPCA at any time during the calendar year you wish to vote.
- To help ensure your ballot arrives in time, it is recommended you submit the FPCA early in the election year and at least 45 days before the election if possible.
How You Receive Your Ballot
Once your FPCA is received and processed:
- You may choose to receive your ballot by email, fax, or regular mail
- Your voted ballot must be returned to this office
- All ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received within 14 days after the election to be counted
If email or fax delivery is chosen, follow the instructions included with your ballot materials for marking and submitting your ballot.
MOVE – Military & Overseas Voter Empowerment (Optional Tool)
The MOVE program allows military and overseas voters to set up an online account to:
- Register to vote
- Request a ballot
- Track the status of your application and ballot
- Receive election reminders
MOVE can help simplify the voting process for UOCAVA voters, but a signed FPCA must still be submitted to our office before we can process your request.
👉 Access MOVE: https://move.elections.il.gov/
Assistance & Questions
If you have questions about military or overseas voting, need help completing the FPCA, or want to check your ballot status, please contact:
DeKalb County Clerk & Recorder – Elections Division
📍 110 E. Sycamore Street, Sycamore, IL 60178
📞 815-895-7147 | ✉️ elections@dekalbcounty.org
Additional Tips for Military & Overseas Voters
- Submit a new FPCA each year or whenever your address changes to ensure timely ballot delivery.
- If you do not receive your ballot in time, contact our office or use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) as a backup.
- Ballots must be returned according to the instructions included with your materials; other methods of return may not be counted.