The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) of 1986 (42 USC 1973ff)
protects the voting rights of:

• members of the Uniformed Services (on active duty) and their eligible dependents,
• members of the Merchant Marine and their eligible dependents,
• Commissioner Corps of the Public Health Service,
• Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and
• United States citizens residing outside the United States.

UOCAVA requires states and territories to allow these U.S. citizens to register and vote in elections for federal office (President, Vice-President, U.S. Senator, Representative of Congress) using vote-by-mail procedures. In order to vote in a California federal election, you must have been domiciled in California immediately prior to your departure from the United States.

For active-duty members of the Armed Forces, Merchant Marine, Public Health Service, NOAA, and their family members.
You may register to vote and request a vote-by-mail ballot with a single form: The Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). This application form is accepted by all states and territories and is postage-paid in the U.S. mail, including the Military Postal System and State Department Pouch mail. Hard copies of the FPCA can be obtained from your installation's Voting Assistance Officer. An online version of the FPCA is available with complete instructions and mailing information at the Federal Voting Assistance Program website.

For United States citizens who are living outside the U.S. for work, school, or other reasons.
You may register to vote and request a vote-by-mail ballot with a single form: The Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). This application form is accepted by all states and territories and is postage-paid in the U.S. mail, including the Military Postal System and State Department Pouch mail. Hard copies of the FPCA can be obtained from a U.S. embassy or consulate worldwide. An online version of the FPCA is available with complete instructions and mailing information at the Federal Voting Assistance Program website.

Please note: According to California Election Code (EC) §3103(f), military and overseas voters may register to vote and apply for a special vote-by-mail ballot by fax through their county elections office. EC §3103.5 allows the military and overseas voter to return their special vote-by-mail ballot by fax as well. Please refer to the county in which you were last domiciled prior to your departure from the United States and utilize the contact information below for your county elections official's fax number.

EC §3104 states that a vote-by-mail application by a military and overseas voter shall also be deemed an affidavit of voter registration and an application for permanent vote-by-mail (PVBM) status. These voters will retain their PVBM voter status and will be automatically sent a vote-by-mail ballot to vote in the next general election. However, if a PVBM voter fails to vote in two consecutive general elections, the voter will lose his or her status as a PVBM voter and must reapply (EC §3206).

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