Secretary of State Sam Reed requested a waiver from the federal rule earlier this year.
There are only nine business days between final certification of the primary election and the 45-day deadline. State officials say that’s not enough time to prepare about 60,000 overseas ballots.
In a letter dated Friday, the Defense Department approved Washington’s plan to send out general election ballots 30 days before Election Day. Those ballots also have a three-week grace period to get back to the state after the election.
Overseas ballots do have to be voted on by Election Day.
