Message from the Director
FVAP Releases 2014 Post-Election Report to Congress
It is my distinct pleasure to present the Federal Voting Assistance Program's (FVAP) 2014 Post-Election Report to Congress. This report includes findings from our post-election surveys and provides an assessment of our activities supporting the 2014 General Election. It is important to remember that FVAP is an assistance agency - our mission is to inform voters of the right to vote and provide the tools and resources to help those who want to vote do so successfully - from anywhere in the world.
In our 2012 report, we recommended areas for action to further improve voting assistance efforts. Thanks to collaboration with our many stakeholders -- Congressional Leaders, Department of State, State and local election officials, the Election Assistance Commission (EAC), advocacy organizations, and the Military Services - FVAP made important strides in fulfilling those initiatives. Significant accomplishments include:
- Revised and published the Federal Post Card Application and the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot forms;
- Redesigned the FVAP.gov website;
- Developed and executed our "Voting is Easy" campaign targeted at first-time voters;
- Consolidated survey effort with the EAC; and
- Improved voting assistance measures of effectiveness.
This report provides greater detail on these initiatives and introduces new efforts to support our stakeholders during the 2016 election cycle. One that I am most looking forward to is our upcoming direct-to-voter training module. My goal is to reach all eligible citizens to ensure that anyone who wants to vote knows how to do so and can easily find the available resources.
I know this is an ambitious goal, as the data continue to reveal a need to increase awareness of resources. This remains one of my top priorities. It is particularly important since we know that when military members use a DoD voting assistance resource, they are more likely to return their ballots. Whether military members use FVAP.gov, speak with a Unit Voting Assistance Officer or visit an Installation Voter Assistance Office, the Department's resources work together to support their ability to participate in the electoral process.
I am also excited about upcoming research; FVAP is currently fielding a pilot survey of overseas citizen voters to explore the viability of a new methodology and statistical modeling approach to capture more information on overseas citizens' voting experiences.
We will continue our collaborative efforts and build upon the lessons learned, as shared in this report, throughout the 2016 election cycle. I look forward to the opportunities and accomplishments ahead, and I know that together, in partnership with the dedicated election community, we can reach our shared vision: voting success for those who protect our freedom and defend our most fundamental right.
Matt Boehmer
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For more information on FVAP or assistance with the absentee voting process, visit FVAP.gov, call FVAP at 1-800-438-VOTE or DSN 425-1584 (CONUS)/312-425-1584 (OCONUS), or email vote@fvap.gov. Remember, you also can contact your unit or installation voting assistance officers for assistance during any step of the process.
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