Support Armed Forces Voters Week and Overseas Citizens Voters Week June 26 - July 3
By registering and voting earlier than local voters, Service members and overseas citizens can help ensure their ballots are received by voting deadlines
ALEXANDRIA, Va. —The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) is sponsoring its biennial Armed Forces Voters Week and Overseas Citizens Voters Week June 26 through July 3, with support from the Military Services, the Department of State, and other federal agencies. 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. 8. The FPCA not only allows these voters to register and request an absentee ballot in one simple step, 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 elections for federal office (that's September 24 for the November 8th election!)
- Voters can choose to receive their blank ballot electronically
- Voters can use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) as a backup ballot
"For military and their family members stationed away from home and U.S. citizens living abroad, the absentee voting process can require more time and planning," according to FVAP Acting Director, Scott Wiedmann. "Many states require voters to update their registration and request an absentee ballot every year. In addition, state rules differ on how election materials can be submitted, in some cases, it's only by mail, while others accept materials electronically (email, fax, or via an online portal)."
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 use FVAP's easy online assistant (FVAP.gov/fpca).
The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) protects the voting rights of an estimated 3 million U.S. citizens living overseas, as well as Service members and their eligible family members. Specifically, about 75 percent of the 1.4 million Active duty military are eligible to vote absentee thanks the UOCAVA process because they are stationed away from their voting residence. 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:
Heather Eudy
1-800-438-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. Downloadable calendar alerts and email reminders are available so voters never miss a deadline to register, request a ballot and vote.
Additional Information for non-UOCAVA voters: Uniformed service members, their families, and Department of Defense civilians who are currently stationed in the same location as their voting address may visit vote.gov to register to vote and request information from their local election office to vote locally.
