Federal Voting Assistance Program Supports Armed Forces Voters Week and Overseas Citizens Voters Week June 28 – July 5, 2020

Service Members and Overseas Citizens Should Request Ballots Earlier This Year

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Active duty military members, their families and overseas citizens are encouraged to register and request their ballot as soon as possible to avoid potential mail delays or other disruptions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic response. The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) is sponsoring its biannual Armed Forces Voters Week and Overseas Citizens Voters Week (June 28 to July 5) with support from the Military Services and Department of State. During this week, U.S. military installations, embassies, consulates and overseas citizens groups offer voter registration opportunities to help Americans vote — wherever they are.

FVAP recommends military and overseas voters use the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) at FVAP.gov to register to vote and request an absentee ballot by Aug. 1 to ensure they can participate in the General Election on Nov. 3. The FPCA not only allows these voters to register and request an absentee ballot simultaneously, it also guarantees certain benefits under federal law.

"Using the FPCA ensures that ballots for Service members, their families and overseas citizens will be sent out 45 days before the election (Sept. 19), with an option to receive their ballot electronically," FVAP Director David Beirne said. "This can be particularly helpful this year when mail delays are possible. Using the FPCA also grants voters the ability to use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) as a backup ballot, if needed."

Voters can visit FVAP.gov for their state's specific voter registration and ballot request deadlines, as well as information on completing their FPCA, which is accepted by all states and territories. Voters can fill out the form by hand or use the online assistant before they print, sign and send the FPCA to their election office.

The voting rights of an estimated 3 million U.S. citizens living overseas, as well as Service members and their eligible family, are protected by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA). About 75 percent of the 1.3 million Service members are eligible to vote absentee through the UOCAVA process since they are stationed away from their voting residence and polling place.

For additional information, visit FVAP.gov, email vote@fvap.gov or call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683)/ DSN at (425) 1584 (CONUS)/(312) 425-1584 (OCONUS)

For media inquiries contact:

Scott Wiedmann

800-438-VOTE

media@FVAP.gov

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Federal Voting Assistance Program

The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) is a Department of Defense (DoD) organization that works to ensure Service members, their eligible family members and overseas citizens are aware of their right to vote and have the tools and resources to successfully do so — from anywhere in the world.

FVAP assists voters through partnerships with the military services, Department of State, Department of Justice and election officials from the 50 states, U.S. territories and the District of Columbia. State and local governments administer U.S. elections, including those for federal offices. FVAP supports state and local election officials by providing absentee voting information, materials, training and guidance.

Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DoDFVAP, @FVAP on Twitter and @fvapgov on Instagram.