Skip to main content
Spouses/Duffle Bag/Voting Guide for PCS Families
Life Admin & PCS

Voting Guide for PCS Families

Register to vote, request an absentee ballot, and understand state of legal residence — even when you PCS every 2-3 years.

FVAP and UOCAVA protect military voting rights. You can vote in your state of legal residence regardless of where you're stationed.

Your Voting Details

This is where you vote — not where you're stationed.

Voting in TX

Online Registration

Not available (mail-in required)

Registration Deadline

30 days before election

Voter ID

Photo ID required

Same-Day Registration

No

Early Voting

Available

Military Absentee

Always available (UOCAVA)

How to Vote from Anywhere

  1. 1

    Confirm your state of legal residence

    This is the state where you vote and pay state taxes (if applicable). It doesn't change when you PCS.

  2. 2

    Register or update your registration

    TX requires mail-in registration. Download the form from FVAP.gov.

  3. 3

    Request an absentee ballot

    Request at least 45 days before the election. Use the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) available at FVAP.gov.

  4. 4

    Return your ballot by the deadline

    Mail it early or use express mail. Some states accept email/fax ballots for military voters.

FVAP (Federal Voting Assistance Program)

FVAP helps military members and families vote from anywhere in the world. Services include:

  • Absentee ballot request assistance
  • State-specific voting guides
  • Voting deadlines and reminders
  • Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) for registration and ballot request
You vote in your state of legal residence, NOT where you're stationed. UOCAVA guarantees your right to vote by absentee ballot from anywhere in the world — including overseas duty stations.

VTS Duffle Bag tools are for informational purposes only. All calculations run in your browser — no data is collected or stored. Verify amounts with official sources before making financial decisions.

MILCONNECT.AI — Military Benefits Intelligence Platform