Overseas and Military Voters

Voter Eligibility
Voters whose most recent U.S. address is/was in Ramsey County, Minnesota are eligible to vote in Ramsey County.

Voters Overseas Indefinitely
Voters who live overseas indefinitely may vote for the federal offices of President/Vice President, US Senator, and US Representative.

Voters Overseas Temporarily
Voters who are overseas temporarily may vote for all offices and in all elections that occur within the jurisdiction of their permanent Ramsey County residence.

Applying for an Absentee Ballot
Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) form (pdf)

Who may Apply
The following persons may apply for a ballot on your behalf using the Federal Post Card Application:
• Parent
• Spouse
• Sibling
• Adult child
 
How to Apply
Complete the Federal Post Card Application:
1. Select the box that applies to you (select only one).
2. Complete (a) and (e).  For (f) and (g): Provide only the last four digits of your social security number OR your Minnesota drivers license number.  Complete (j) if you’re requesting email delivery of your ballot and to ensure timely communication regarding your application.
3. You must provide the address of your last Ramsey County residence to ensure you receive the correct ballot. 
4. Provide your current address even if you want your ballot emailed to you.  This allows Ramsey County to mail your ballot if there is a problem with email service. 
5. Do not complete.  MN does not have party registration.
6. Your application will automatically expire on December 31st of the year in which it was submitted.  If you submit your application prior to the primary election, you will receive a ballot for both the primary and general election.
7. Provide your signature.  If a family member if applying on behalf of a voter, the family member signs his/her name and notes his/her relationship to the voter.  Please note:  MN does not require a witness/notary.

Email, fax, mail, or deliver the completed application to Ramsey County Elections.

Email:  sherri.nesseth@co.ramsey.mn.us or elections@co.ramsey.mn.us

Fax:  651.266.2177

Mailing Address:  
Ramsey County Elections
PO Box 64098
St. Paul, MN  55164-0098

In Person Address: 
Ramsey County Elections
90 W Plato Blvd, Suite 160
St. Paul, MN

When to Apply
Applications are accepted all year prior to the general election.  All applications expire on December 31st of the year in which they are submitted.  Voters are not notified of application expiration.

Delivery of Ballots to Voters
Ballots are sent out 46 days prior to each election.  Ballots can be mailed, express mailed at voter’s expense, faxed, or emailed.  Please specify your preferred delivery method on your application.

Mail often takes an extended amount of time to reach overseas voters. From Europe, plan on at least 5-7 business days for transit time in each direction. In Africa and Asia, transit time can be 2-3 weeks or more in each direction.

If you or one of your relatives provides our office with a pre-paid express mailer, or with a credit card number and expiration date, we will use an express carrier to send you the ballot.

Returning Ballots to Ramsey County Elections
Your ballot CANNOT be returned by email or fax.  It must be returned by the US Postal Service or an expedited delivery service. 

Mailing Address:  
Ramsey County Elections
PO Box 64098
St. Paul, MN  55164-0098

Expedited Mail Delivery Address (FedEx, UPS, etc):
Ramsey County Elections
90 W Plato Blvd, Suite 160
St. Paul, MN  55107

US Embassies/ Military Voting Assistance Officers
Make contact with the US embassy or the US consulate near you, or if you are serving in the armed forces, make sure you know who your voting assistance officer is.  The staff at the embassies and consulates or the voting assistance officer may be able to expedite delivery of your voted ballot to the United States.

Federal Write-In Ballot
If you are concerned that your regular ballot may not get to you in time or that you will not be able to return it to us in time, you may obtain a federal write-in ballot which is available from voting assistance officers at US embassies, US consulates and US military installations.
Federal offices that you may vote for on this ballot include President and Vice-President, US Senator, and US Representative.  You may only use the Federal write-in ballot if…
1. You have applied for a ballot in time for us to have received your application at least 30 days before the election
-AND-
2. You have not received a ballot or are unsure that your ballot will be returned to us by Election Day.

For more information on Absentee Voting outside the United States, please visit the MN Secretary of State’s website:
MN Secretary of State Overseas and Military Voting Website