Department Of Defense To Active Military: Know The Rules For Voting PDF Print E-mail
The Campaign Trail
By Administrator   
Monday, 25 August 2014 10:19

RALEIGH, (SGRToday.com) - With the General Election just two months away, the Department of Defense is reminding active-duty military members to check out the rules for voting.

 
In a posting at dodlive.mil, Matt Boehmer, director of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense, Personnel and Readiness Federal Voting Assistance Program, wrote the following message, which the department then Tweeted.
 
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• Do start early!
o With absentee voting, the biggest factor is registering and requesting ballots early. This way ballots can be sent to voters with plenty of time prior to the November election.
o Use the Federal Post Card Application to register and request your ballot. Go to F-V-A-P.gov.
 
• Do submit a new FPCA with every move!
o Your address isn’t automatically updated with your election official when you PCS.
o Notify your home-State election official of any change of address; you can do it by simply sending a new FPCA.
 
• But don’t use the FPCA if you want to register to vote in-person at the polls.
o Remember, the FPCA is for absentee voting. If you live in your voting jurisdiction, register to vote using your State’s form.
 
• Don’t forget to check your inbox for your ballot!
o States are required to send absentee ballots 45 days before the election. So, if you chose to receive your blank ballot by email, don’t forget to check your inbox at the end of September.
 
• Don’t wait to return your ballot!
o Vote, sign and return your ballot as soon as you get it.
 
• Do use the back-up ballot!
o If you haven’t received your ballot from your State by the first of October, go to F-V-A-P.gov and fill out the back-up Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot and send it to your election office.
o Our online tool will even pre-populate the candidate names for you.
o If you get your State ballot after you submit the back-up one, you should still vote, sign and return it. But don’t worry! Your vote will only be counted once.
 
• Do ask for help!
o That’s why FVAP is here! We know absentee voting can seem overwhelming, but the tools at F-V-A-P.gov help make it easy.
o If you need assistance, reach out to your Unit Voting Assistance Officer, call 800-438-VOTE or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
 
• Do spread the word!
o Find us Facebook and Twitter! Share information and resources with members of your unit and your voting-age family members.
 
Last Updated on Monday, 25 August 2014 10:19
 
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