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March 8, 2010
LAW REVIEW 1013
Absentee Ballots MUST Be Mailed 45 Days before Election
By Captain Samuel F. Wright, JAGC, USN (Ret.)
7.0—Military Voting Rights
On Oct. 29, 2009, President Obama signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2010. This massive new law contains hundreds of separate provisions, some favorable and some unfavorable. The 2010 NDAA made several welcome amendments to the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA). Those amendments go into effect for this year’s general election.
UOCAVA is a federal statute enacted in 1986. It is codified in title 42, United States Code, sections 1973ff and following. You can find the complete text of UOCAVA at http://www.fvap.gov/resources/media.uocavalaw.pdf.
UOCAVA gives “absent uniformed services voters” (AUSVs) and “overseas voters” (OVs) the right to vote in primary, general, special, and runoff elections for federal office (President, United States Senator, and United States Representative). An AUSV is a member of the uniformed services (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, PHS commissioned corps, or NOAA commissioned corps) on active duty or a member of the merchant marine or the voting-age spouse or family member of a uniformed service or merchant marine member. AUSVs are protected by UOCAVA regardless of whether they are currently located within or outside the United States. An OV is a U.S. citizen of voting age outside the U.S. temporarily or indefinitely.
Until now, UOCAVA has not mentioned a specific number of days of required ballot transmission time, but it has been held that if the ballots are not available sufficiently early to enable UOCAVA voters to mark and return their ballots in time for them to be counted UOCAVA has been violated.
Section 105(a) of UOCAVA provides, “The Attorney General [of the United States] may bring a civil action in an appropriate district court for such declaratory or injunctive relief as may be necessary to carry out this title.” When a state violates UOCAVA, by failing to have ballots printed and mailed sufficiently early so that UOCAVA voters can cast ballots that get counted, the Attorney General sues the state. The usual remedy sought and obtained is a court order extending the deadline for the receipt of absentee ballots mailed in from outside the U.S., including but not limited to APO and FPO addresses. For example, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia ordered Virginia to count for federal offices absentee ballots from outside the U.S. that were received up to 30 days after the November 2008 general election. I invite the reader’s attention to Law Review 0950 and 0950 Update. All previous Law Review articles (more than 600) are available at www.roa.org/law_review.
As amended in 2009, section 102(a)(8) of UOCAVA now explicitly requires each state to “transmit a validly requested absentee ballot to an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter—(A) except as provided in subsection (g), in the case where the request is received at least 45 days before an election for Federal office, not later than 45 days before the election.” (Emphasis supplied.)
Section 102(g)(1) provides, “If the chief State election official determines that the State is unable to meet the requirement under subsection (a)(8)(A) [mailing out absentee ballots 45 days before Election Day] with respect to an election for Federal office due to an undue hardship described in paragraph (2)(B), the chief State election official shall request that the Presidential designee [currently the Secretary of Defense] grant a waiver to the State of the application of such subsection.” (Emphasis supplied.)
Section 107 of UOCAVA defines eight terms used in this law, but the term “undue hardship” is not one of the defined terms. Black’s Law Dictionary defines “hardship” as follows, “The severity with which a proposed construction of the law would bear upon a particular case, founding, sometimes, an argument against such construction.” Black’s Law Dictionary, Revised Fourth Edition, page 847. Black’s defines “undue” as, “More than necessary; not proper; illegal.” Id., at page 1697. A “hardship” is much more than an inconvenience, and an “undue hardship” even more so.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires employers to make accommodations in employment for qualified persons with disabilities. The employer is excused from the obligation to make an accommodation if doing so would impose an “undue hardship” on the employer. See 42 U.S.C. 12111(10)(B). An Equal Employment Opportunity Commission publication stresses the heavy burden that an employer must meet to show such an “undue hardship”:
“An employer does not have to provide a reasonable accommodation that would cause an "undue hardship" to the employer. Generalized conclusions will not suffice to support a claim of undue hardship. Instead, undue hardship must be based on an individualized assessment of current circumstances that show that a specific reasonable accommodation would cause significant difficulty or expense. A determination of undue hardship should be based on several factors, including:
- the nature and cost of the accommodation needed;
- the overall financial resources of the facility making the reasonable accommodation; the number of persons employed at this facility; the effect on expenses and resources of the facility;
- the overall financial resources, size, number of employees, and type and location of facilities of the employer (if the facility involved in the reasonable accommodation is part of a larger entity);
- the type of operation of the employer, including the structure and functions of the workforce, the geographic separateness, and the administrative or fiscal relationship of the facility involved in making the accommodation to the employer;
- the impact of the accommodation on the operation of the facility.”
http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/accommodation.html#undue
It is most difficult for an employer to demonstrate that making an accommodation for a disabled person (including a disabled veteran) would impose an “undue hardship” on the employer. Similarly, it will be most difficult for a state to demonstrate that moving the primary back to earlier in the year, for the benefit of overseas military and civilian voters, would impose an “undue hardship” on the state. When Congress enacted UOCAVA in 1986, and when Congress amended UOCAVA in 2009, it was well aware that making it possible for overseas military and civilian citizens to vote will require the states to make certain adjustments in the conduct of elections, including the timing of primaries. Congress determined that these are small accommodations for the states to make to facilitate the enfranchisement of those who protect the rights that we all enjoy, including the right to vote.
States that hold primaries in September, barely 45 days before Election Day, cannot meet the requirement to have absentee ballots printed and ready to mail by the 45th day before Election Day. Until the results of the primary have been officially certified, the local election official cannot print general election ballots, much less mail them out. The 13 states and territories that are scheduled to hold primaries in September 2010 will need to move those primaries back to earlier in the year, in order to comply with the federal law requirement to mail ballots 45 days before the general election.
A state is eligible for consideration of its waiver request only if the state can show that moving the primary back to earlier in the year will cause an undue hardship. I contend that moving the primary back causes, at worst, a minor inconvenience—not a hardship and certainly not an undue hardship. Congress has decided that imposing that inconvenience upon the states is a small price to pay to ensure that military personnel will be able to vote, no matter where the service of our country has taken them.
Why do these states hold late primaries? A late primary benefits incumbents—if you are running for reelection it helps you to have your potential opponents fighting among themselves for as long as possible, and to delay for as long as possible the date when the opposite party has settled upon its general election nominee to run against you. The legislators who set the election schedule are by definition incumbents. Denying these incumbents’ their desire to maximize their chance of reelection does not constitute a “hardship” and certainly not an “undue hardship.”
In recent years, several states have moved their primaries back to earlier in the year, in order to facilitate the enfranchisement of the brave young men and women who serve in our nation’s armed forces. Moving the primary to the summer or the spring has not caused any “undue hardship” in those states that have made this change. It is long past time for the 13 remaining states and territories to move back their primary dates.
Even if a state seeking a waiver somehow gets past the “undue hardship” hurdle, it must meet another difficult hurdle. To get the requested waiver, the state’s application must include (among other required items) “A comprehensive plan to ensure that absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters are able to receive absentee ballots which they have requested and submit marked absentee ballots to the appropriate State election official in time to have that ballot counted in the election for Federal office, which includes—(i) the steps the State will undertake to ensure that absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters have time to receive, mark and submit their ballots in time to have those ballots counted in the election; (ii) why the plan provides absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters sufficient time to vote as a substitute for the requirements under that subsection; and (iii) the underlying factual information which explains how the plan provides such sufficient time to vote as a substitute for such requirements.” Section 102(g)(1)(D).
Section 102(g)(4) provides that a waiver is only valid for a specific federal election, like the 2010 general election. Thus, if a state obtains a waiver for 2010, based on a late primary that cannot be changed this year, the state will need to apply for and obtain a new waiver in 2012, unless in the meantime the legislature has moved the primary to earlier in the year. Ideally, a “hardship waiver” for 2010 should be nothing more than a bridge to 2012, when a long-term solution is implemented. For the time being, the only conceivable solution is an earlier primary.
On June 26 and July 1, 1952 the Subcommittee on Elections, Committee on House Administration, U.S. House of Representatives conducted hearings on absentee voting for military personnel fighting the Korean War. You can find a copy of the committee hearing report at www.roa.org/law. The Honorable C.G. Hall, Secretary of State of Arkansas and President of the National Association of Secretaries of State, testified that because of late primaries and other problems most military personnel fighting in Korea would be unable to vote in the 1952 presidential election.
The 1952 congressional report includes a copy of a March 28, 1952 letter to Congress from President Harry S. Truman, one of the founders of ROA in 1924. In his letter, he called upon the states to fix this problem and he called upon Congress to enact temporary federal legislation for the 1952 election year. He wrote, “Any such legislation by Congress should be temporary, since it should be possible to make all the necessary changes in State laws before the congressional elections of 1954.”
Well, it did not work out that way. Today, 58 years later, military personnel are still all too often disenfranchised through no fault of their own. Congress has been far too patient in waiting for the states to make the necessary changes in election calendars, such as moving primaries to earlier months. Don’t let the states have another 58 years to dawdle.
I invite the reader’s attention to the most eloquent opening paragraph of President Truman’s 1952 letter:
About 2,500,000 men and women in the Armed Forces are of voting age at the present time. Many of those in uniform are serving overseas, or in parts of the country distant from their homes. They are unable to return to their States either to register or to vote. Yet these men and women, who are serving their country and in many cases risking their lives, deserve above all others to exercise the right to vote in this election year. At a time when these young people are defending our country and its free institutions, the least we at home can do is to make sure that they are able to enjoy the rights they are being asked to fight to preserve.
I respectfully submit that President Truman’s eloquent words about the young men and women fighting the Korean War in 1952 apply equally to their grandsons and granddaughters, and great-grandsons and great-granddaughters, fighting the Global War on Terrorism today. President Truman’s words need to be redirected to today’s Governors, legislators, and election officials. With their help, America’s sons and daughters in our Armed Forces will not have to wait another 58 years to enjoy a basic civil right that the rest of us take for granted.
If you have questions, suggestions, or comments, please contact Captain Samuel F. Wright, JAGC, USN (Ret.) (Director of the Servicemembers’ Law Center) at swright@roa.org or 800-809-9448, ext. 730.
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The information on this page is posted as it is sent to us by the FVAP. Check for your State on the Left panel, Index page under State by State Updates.
February 24, 2010
Florida Voters, Submit Your Ballot Request NOW for the April 13, 2010 Special Election!
On Tuesday, April 13, 2010 Florida will hold a special general election to fill the congressional vacancy left by the resignation of Congressman Robert Wexler. The 19th Congressional District includes parts of Broward and Palm Beach Counties.
The candidates in this election are:
- Democratic: Ted Deutch
- Republican: Ed Lynch
- No Party Affiliation: Jim McCormick
- Write-in: Josue Larose
Request Your Ballot
If you do not have one on file, you need to fill out an absentee ballot request as soon as possible. The Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) ballot application and instructions are available at www.fvap.gov.
Send your FPCA NOW to ensure you have enough time to receive, vote, and return the ballot! The online version of the FPCA and Florida’s instructions on how to fill out and submit the form are available at: www.fvap.gov.
If you are not a registered voter, your FPCA must be postmarked by March 15, 2010. Although the registration deadline is March 15, 2010 and the ballot request deadline is April 7, 2010, these dates do not take into account mail delivery times required to receive and return your ballot by Election Day. You should not wait to complete and submit your FPCA, especially if you are completing the process by mail from an overseas location.
If you are already registered to vote, you may fax your request for an absentee ballot. If you are not already registered, you must return this form by mail. It is recommended that you fax the form directly to your local election official (fax numbers can be found on the Florida Division of Election website at http://election.dos.state.fl.us).
Receive and Return Your Ballot
Local election officials send overseas ballots approximately 45 days before the election, February 26, 2010. If you are overseas and want to receive your blank ballot by fax or as an email attachment, you must mark this preference on your FPCA or personally contact your local Supervisor of Elections office by email or phone. Otherwise, the ballot will be mailed to you.
Recommended Mailing Dates for Your Voted Ballot
The deadline for your voted ballot to be received by the local election official is 7 pm, April 13, 2010 for military voters and their dependents located within the United States. The deadline for your voted ballot to be received by the local election official is 7 pm, April 23, 2010 for military voters and their dependents located outside the United States and other U.S. citizens overseas, though your ballot must be placed in delivery by 7 pm, April 13, 2010. Although these are the deadlines for receiving your ballot, you should mail your ballot by the following dates to account for mail delivery times.
· From Operation Enduring/Iraqi Freedom Locations/Deployed Navy Vessels: March 17, 2010
· From Other Overseas Military Installations: March 24, 2010
· From Other Overseas Locations: March 17, 2010 (or earlier, depending on foreign mail service)
· From Within the United States: April 6, 2010
To make sure your ballot arrives by the deadline, vote and return your ballot IMMEDIATELY upon receiving it! To save transit time if you are overseas, return your voted ballot by fax as provided in the instructions accompanying your absentee ballot.
Use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB)
If you request your ballot prior to April 7, 2010, you may use the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot to vote in this special General Election. Everything you need to complete a FWAB is available at www.fvap.gov ; just follow the instructions for using the FWAB in Florida. The FWAB is also available from your Voting Assistance Officer. Vote the FWAB by using the candidate list above or, you may write in another candidate of your choosing, or simply write-in a political party designation and the candidate running under that party’s designation will receive your vote.
For More Information: Go to the Florida Division of Election website at http://election.dos.state.fl.us or visit FVAP at: www.fvap.gov.
We Want Your Feedback! If this document was helpful to you or if you ran into problems or have questions, please contact FVAP at 1-800-438-8683, DSN (312) 425-1584, or at vote@fvap.ncr.gov. Toll-free phone numbers from 67 countries are listed at: www.fvap.gov/contact/tollfreephone.html. With your feedback, we can make this even more helpful for the next election.
# 3 February 24, 2010
Florida Voters, Submit Your Ballot Request NOW for the April 13, 2010 Special Election!
On Tuesday, April 13, 2010 Florida will hold a special general election to fill the congressional vacancy left by the resignation of Congressman Robert Wexler. The 19th Congressional District includes parts of Broward and Palm Beach Counties.
The candidates in this election are:
- Democratic: Ted Deutch
- Republican: Ed Lynch
- No Party Affiliation: Jim McCormick
- Write-in: Josue Larose
Request Your Ballot
If you do not have one on file, you need to fill out an absentee ballot request as soon as possible. The Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) ballot application and instructions are available at www.fvap.gov.
Send your FPCA NOW to ensure you have enough time to receive, vote, and return the ballot! The online version of the FPCA and Florida’s instructions on how to fill out and submit the form are available at: www.fvap.gov.
If you are not a registered voter, your FPCA must be postmarked by March 15, 2010. Although the registration deadline is March 15, 2010 and the ballot request deadline is April 7, 2010, these dates do not take into account mail delivery times required to receive and return your ballot by Election Day. You should not wait to complete and submit your FPCA, especially if you are completing the process by mail from an overseas location.
If you are already registered to vote, you may fax your request for an absentee ballot. If you are not already registered, you must return this form by mail. It is recommended that you fax the form directly to your local election official (fax numbers can be found on the Florida Division of Election website at http://election.dos.state.fl.us).
Receive and Return Your Ballot
Local election officials send overseas ballots approximately 45 days before the election, February 26, 2010. If you are overseas and want to receive your blank ballot by fax or as an email attachment, you must mark this preference on your FPCA or personally contact your local Supervisor of Elections office by email or phone. Otherwise, the ballot will be mailed to you.
Recommended Mailing Dates for Your Voted Ballot
The deadline for your voted ballot to be received by the local election official is 7 pm, April 13, 2010 for military voters and their dependents located within the United States. The deadline for your voted ballot to be received by the local election official is 7 pm, April 23, 2010 for military voters and their dependents located outside the United States and other U.S. citizens overseas, though your ballot must be placed in delivery by 7 pm, April 13, 2010. Although these are the deadlines for receiving your ballot, you should mail your ballot by the following dates to account for mail delivery times.
· From Operation Enduring/Iraqi Freedom Locations/Deployed Navy Vessels: March 17, 2010
· From Other Overseas Military Installations: March 24, 2010
· From Other Overseas Locations: March 17, 2010 (or earlier, depending on foreign mail service)
· From Within the United States: April 6, 2010
To make sure your ballot arrives by the deadline, vote and return your ballot IMMEDIATELY upon receiving it! To save transit time if you are overseas, return your voted ballot by fax as provided in the instructions accompanying your absentee ballot.
Use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB)
If you request your ballot prior to April 7, 2010, you may use the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot to vote in this special General Election. Everything you need to complete a FWAB is available at www.fvap.gov ; just follow the instructions for using the FWAB in Florida. The FWAB is also available from your Voting Assistance Officer. Vote the FWAB by using the candidate list above or, you may write in another candidate of your choosing, or simply write-in a political party designation and the candidate running under that party’s designation will receive your vote.
For More Information: Go to the Florida Division of Election website at http://election.dos.state.fl.us or visit FVAP at: www.fvap.gov.
We Want Your Feedback! If this document was helpful to you or if you ran into problems or have questions, please contact FVAP at 1-800-438-8683, DSN (312) 425-1584, or at vote@fvap.ncr.gov. Toll-free phone numbers from 67 countries are listed at: www.fvap.gov/contact/tollfreephone.html. With your feedback, we can make this even
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Texas will hold its State primary election on March, 2, 2010. If you requested your ballot and have not received it, submit the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB).
If you are eligible to vote in this election, and requested and received a ballot for the November 4, 2008 presidential election, you should have received an absentee ballot by now, unless your mailing address has changed.
Vote your FWAB
You may download a FWAB at www.FVAP.gov or get a FWAB from your installation/embassy/consulate voting assistance office. To complete the FWAB’s Voter’s Declaration/Affirmation correctly, follow the Texas instructions at www.fvap.gov/FWAB/fwab-tx.html, or in the 2010-11 Voting Assistance Guide. To complete the ballot, use the official candidate list at the Texas State Elections website at: www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/whatisontheballot.shtml
Return Your FWAB Immediately by Mail!
Fold and place the voted ballot in the security envelope and seal. Insert the sealed security envelope and the completed, signed and dated Voter's Declaration/Affirmation into the mailing envelope and mail the ballot directly to your local election office. Addresses can be found at www.fvap.gov/contact/addresses/txaddr.html.
Your State ballot or FWAB submitted within the U.S. must be received by your local election office by 7 pm March 2, 2010. State ballots and FWABs submitted by overseas uniformed services members, their families, or overseas citizens must be postmarked by 7 pm on March 2, 2010 and received no later than March 8, 2010.
If you receive the regular State ballot after submitting the FWAB, vote and return it immediately! If both ballots are received by the deadline, only the regular State ballot will be counted.
For More Information: Go to the Texas election website at: www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/index.shtml or visit FVAP at: www.fvap.gov.
We Want Your Feedback! If this document was helpful to you or if you ran into problems or have questions, please contact FVAP at 1-800-438-8683, DSN (312) 425-1584, or at vote@fvap.ncr.gov. Toll-free phone numbers from 67 countries are listed at: www.fvap.gov/contact/tollfreephone.html. With your feedback, we can make this even more helpful for the next election.
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# 21 December 16, 2009
Florida Voters, Submit Your Ballot Request NOW for the February 2, 2009 Special Primary!
On Tuesday, February 2, 2010 Florida will hold a special State primary election to fill the congressional vacancy left by the resignation of Congressman Robert Wexler. A list of candidates is available at http://election.dos.state.fl.us/candidate/index.asp. The 19th Congressional District includes parts of Broward and Palm Beach Counties.
The Special General Election will be held on Tuesday, April 13, 2010.
Request Your Ballot
If you do not have one on file, you need to fill out an absentee ballot request as soon as possible. The Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) ballot application and instructions are available at www.fvap.gov.
Send your FPCA NOW to ensure you have enough time to receive, vote, and return the ballot! The online version of the FPCA and Florida’s instructions on how to fill out and submit the form are available at: www.fvap.gov.
If you are not a registered voter, your FPCA must be postmarked by January 4, 2010. Although the registration deadline is January 4, 2010 and the ballot request deadline is January 27, 2010, these dates do not take into account mail delivery times required to receive and return your ballot by Election Day. You should not wait to complete and submit your FPCA, especially if you are completing the process by mail from an overseas location.
If you are already registered to vote, you may fax your request for an absentee ballot. If you are not already registered, you must return this form by mail. It is recommended that you fax the form directly to your local election official (fax numbers can be found on the Florida Division of Election website at http://election.dos.state.fl.us.
Receive and Return Your Ballot
Local election officials send overseas ballots approximately 45 days before the election. If you are overseas and want to receive your blank ballot by fax or as an email attachment, you must mark this preference on your FPCA or personally contact your local Supervisor of Elections office by email or phone. Otherwise, the ballot will be mailed to you.
Recommended Mailing Dates for Your Voted Ballot
Although the deadline for your voted ballot to be received by the local election official is 7 pm, February 2, 2010, you should mail your ballot by the following dates to account for mail delivery times.
· From Operation Enduring/Iraqi Freedom Locations/Deployed Navy Vessels: January 4, 2010
· From Other Overseas Military Installations: January 11, 2010
· From Other Overseas Locations: January 4, 2010 (or earlier, depending on foreign mail service)
· From Within the United States: January 26, 2010
To make sure your ballot arrives by the deadline, vote and return your ballot IMMEDIATELY upon receiving it! To save transit time if you are overseas, return your voted ballot by fax as provided in the instructions accompanying your absentee ballot.
For More Information: Go to the Florida Division of Election website at http://election.dos.state.fl.us or visit FVAP at: www.fvap.gov.
We Want Your Feedback! If this document was helpful to you or if you ran into problems or have questions, please contact FVAP at 1-800-438-8683, DSN (312) 425-1584, or at vote@fvap.ncr.gov. Toll-free phone numbers from 67 countries are listed at: www.fvap.gov/contact/tollfreephone.html. With your feedback, we can make this even more helpful for the next election.
# 20 December 16, 2009
Massachusetts Military and Overseas Voters, Submit Your Ballot for the January 19, 2010 Special Election!
Massachusetts will hold a special election on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 to fill the currently vacant U.S. Senate seat caused by the death of Senator Edward M. Kennedy. The candidates for this election are:
SCOTT P. BROWN, 70 Hayden Woods, Wrentham, Republican
MARTHA COAKLEY, 46 Coolidge Rd., Medford, Democratic
JOSEPH L. KENNEDY, 20 Hyde Park St., Dedham, Liberty
Massachusetts will begin mailing ballots on December 16, 2009. If you are only now requesting a ballot for the special election, there is a good chance you will not receive it in time to be voted and returned by the mailed absentee ballot receipt deadline. Even if you have already requested an absentee ballot, based on local mail delivery, you still may not receive the ballot in time to vote and return it in time to be counted. But you have an easy alternative: use the FWAB!
Use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB)
You do not need to register to vote in Massachusetts. However, to vote in this special election, you must still request a ballot. Massachusetts allows you to use the FWAB as a simultaneous ballot request and ballot; even if you have not applied yet for a State absentee ballot.
Get started by going to www.fvap.gov and follow the instructions for using the FWAB in Massachusetts. The FWAB is also available from your Voting Assistance Officer. Vote the FWAB by using the candidate list above or, you may write in another candidate of your choosing, or simply write-in a political party designation and the candidate running under that party’s designation will receive your vote.
Email or Fax Your Voted FWAB
If you are emailing or faxing the voted FWAB, you must waive the right to secrecy of the ballot. You must sign and date a statement on the electronic transmission sheet available at www.fvap.gov/resources/media/coversheet.pdf indicating, “I understand that by faxing or emailing my voted ballot I am voluntarily waiving my right to a secret ballot.”
To return your FWAB by email, email the voted FWAB along with your signed voter affirmation and signed electronic transmission sheet as a scanned attachment directly to your town or city clerk.
To return your FWAB by fax, fax the voted FWAB along with your signed voter affirmation and signed electronic transmission sheet directly to your town or city clerk.
Email address and fax numbers can be found at www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleclk/clkidx.htm. If an email address or fax number is not available for your town or city, use the DoD Electronic Transmission Service:
· Email the FWAB along with your signed voter affirmation and signed electronic transmission sheet as a scanned attachment to ets@fvap.ncr.gov. It will be forwarded to the local election office you indicate.
OR
· Fax the FWAB along with your signed voter affirmation, and signed electronic transmission sheet to: (703)-693-5527, DSN 223-5527, or toll-free (from the U.S., Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands to 1-800-368-8683). International toll-free fax numbers can be found at www.fvap.gov/contact/tollfreefax.html. It will be forwarded to the local election office you indicate.
Mail Your Voted FWAB
Do not wait! We recommend you mail your voted FWAB or regular State ballot to your town or city by:
· December 22, 2009 for voters in Iraq, Afghanistan, on ships at sea, and other overseas locations without access to the military postal system
· December 29, 2009 for voters in other overseas military installations
· January 12, 2010 for stateside Uniformed Service members and their families
Deadlines for the Voted Ballot
If you are emailing or faxing the FWAB, it must be received by your town or city clerk by 8 pm January 19, 2010.
If you are mailing the ballot or FWAB from outside the United States, it must be received by your town or city clerk by 5 pm January 29, 2010, but must be postmarked by January 19, 2010.
If you are mailing the ballot or FWAB from within the United States, it must be received by your town or city clerk by 8pm, January 19, 2010.
If you receive the regular State ballot after submitting the FWAB, vote and return it immediately. If both ballots are received by the deadline, only the regular State absentee ballot will be counted.
Additional Information
For more information, go to the Massachusetts election website at: www.sec.state.ma.us or visit FVAP at: www.fvap.gov.
We want your feedback. If this document was helpful to you or if you ran into problems or have questions, please contact FVAP at 1-800-438-8683, DSN (312) 425-1584, or at vote@fvap.ncr.gov. Toll-free phone numbers from 67 countries are listed at: www.fvap.gov/contact/tollfreephone.html. With your feedback, we can make this even more helpful for the next election.
October 28, 2009
The defense authorization was signed into law today by President Obama, making the MOVE Act the law of the land.
Federal Voting Assistance Program Improvements (sec. 583)
The House bill contained a provision (sec. 587) that would establish the Overseas Voting Advisory Board.
The Senate amendment contained a provision (sec. 590) that would amend the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) (42 U.S.C. 1973ff et seq.) to require: (1) the Presidential designee to develop online portals of information to inform absent uniformed services voters regarding voter registration and absentee ballot procedures for elections for federal office; and (2) to establish a program to notify absentee uniformed services voters of voter registration information and resources, the availability of the federal postcard application, and the availability of the federal writein absentee ballot on the military Global Network. The provision would also amend section 102 of UOCAVA to require each service secretary to designate an office on each installation as a voter registration agency designated under section 7(a)(2) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (Public Law 103-31), and authorize the Secretary of Defense to designate pay, personnel, and identification offices as designated voter registration agencies.
The House recedes with an amendment that would amend chapter 80 of title 10, United States Code, to require service secretaries to designate offices on military installations to provide absent uniformed services voters and their family members with written information on voter registration procedures and absentee ballot procedures, information and assistance to register to vote in federal elections, information and assistance to update the individual's voter registration information, and information and assistance to request an absentee ballot.
Federal Voting Assistance Program Improvements (sec. 583)
The House bill contained a provision (sec. 587) that would establish the Overseas Voting Advisory Board.
The Senate amendment contained a provision (sec. 590) that would amend the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) (42 U.S.C. 1973ff et seq.) to require: (1) the Presidential designee to develop online portals of information to inform absent uniformed services voters regarding voter registration and absentee ballot procedures for elections for federal office; and (2) to establish a program to notify absentee uniformed services voters of voter registration information and resources, the availability of the federal postcard application, and the availability of the federal writein absentee ballot on the military Global Network. The provision would also amend section 102 of UOCAVA to require each service secretary to designate an office on each installation as a voter registration agency designated under section 7(a)(2) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (Public Law 103-31), and authorize the Secretary of Defense to designate pay, personnel, and identification offices as designated voter registration agencies.
The House recedes with an amendment that would amend chapter 80 of title 10, United States Code, to require service secretaries to designate offices on military installations to provide absent uniformed services voters and their family members with written information on voter registration procedures and absentee ballot procedures, information and assistance to register to vote in federal elections, information and assistance to update the individual's voter registration information, and information and assistance to request an absentee ballot.
_____________________________________________
# 17 October 19, 2009
Courts back Military & Overseas Voters
U.S. District Court Opinion in Favor of Counting Late Absentee Virginia Ballots for the 2008 General Election!
October 19, 2009 - Arlington, VA
A federal district court in Richmond, Va. ruled yesterday that Virginia violated the voting rights of American military personnel and other overseas citizens by failing to mail absentee ballots in sufficient time for them to be counted in the Nov. 4, 2008, general election.
Ruling in a 2008 lawsuit by the Justice Department, U.S. District Court Judge Richard L. Williams declared that Virginia’s failure to mail more than 2,000 absentee ballots at least 30 days prior to the election violated theUniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA), a federal law that guarantees military personnel and other citizens living abroad the right to vote by absentee ballot in federal elections. The Department of Justice press release can be found at http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2009/October/09-crt-1114.html.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) is pleased with the decision of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia to count absentee ballots received by certain Virginia counties for the November 4, 2008 general election.
The decision reaffirms the importance of every vote, and upholds the confidence of our military and overseas citizens who participate in the electoral process.
- ### -
If you’d like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Director Bob Carey, please call Maj April Cunningham with DoD Public Affairs at 703-697-5131 or email Maj Cunningham at april.cunningham@osd.mil. If you’d like more information on the DoD Federal Voting Assistance Program or need help with the absentee voting process please contact the FVAP at 703-588-1584 (toll free 1-800-438-VOTE) or email the program at VOTE@FVAP.NCR.GOV.
Military Voting Rights in Virginia
October 16, 2009
"Q: Virginia is conducting a general election on Nov. 3, 2009 for the offices of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General, as well as the lower house of our state legislature and many local offices. How does UOCAVA apply to this election?
A: UOCAVA does not apply to the Nov. 2009 Virginia election because there is no federal office on the ballot. If absentee ballots are not timely mailed, there is no remedy in federal court for the resulting disenfranchisement.
Readers—please contact your LEO to stress the importance of timely mailing of absentee ballots, so that the brave young men and women serving in our armed forces will be able to cast ballots that really do get counted, no matter where the service of our country has taken them." Read More
______________________________
VOTING INFORMATION NEWS
September 2009 * Vol. 19, No. 9
A roundup of voting news from the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) for voters, potential voters and those who assist voters.
FVAP Embraces Social Networking
Communications are shorter and more frequent than when letters were the norm. With advances in technology, response times have greatly diminished. It is with this in mind that the Federal Voting Assistance Program is engaging in a more aggressive communications strategy that utilizes social networking sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter to reach our more than 6.1million Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) voters. This form of media will allow FVAP to post real time alerts with information
important to Voting Assistance Officer and voters alike. All three services will allow “followers/fans/connections” to post a question and receive assistance and feedback much faster than
previously.
FVAP is on Twitter
http://twitter.com/FVAP.
FVAP is on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Washington-DC/Federal-Voting-Assistance-Program-DoD/104504438466 -
FVAP is on LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/groupRegistration?gid=2154188
Election Dates 2010
A printable copy of the 2010 Election Dates Calendar will be available from our website at http://www.fvap.gov/vao/calendar.html.
Past Reports now available on FVAP Website
Past reports issued by the Federal Voting Assistance Program are now available on the FVAP
website. For the first time, this information is available for review by voters, Voting Assistance Officers, voting advocates, and the public at-large.
Available reports include:
· Post-Election Survey Reports
· DoD Inspector General Reports
· Government Accountability Office Reports
· Voting Over the Internet (VOI) Final Report
· Secure Electronic Registration and Voting Experiment (SERVE) Final Report
· Integrated Voting Alternative Site Final Report
· Expanding the Use of Electronic Voting Technology for UOCAVA Citizens- May 2007
Additional reports will be made available online as they become available.
The reports are available on the FVAP website at http://www.fvap.gov/reference/reports.html
Voting Assistance Officers’ “To Do” List
þ If you are a new Voting Assistance Officer, review the online Training Workshop presentation for VAOs at the FVAP Website, www.fvap.gov, to obtain a brief orientation of the program. The Voting Assistance Guide (also online) provides an overview of your responsibilities as a VAO.
þ Have you requested a Voting Training Workshop in your area? Please email vote@fvap.ncr.gov as well as your Service Voting Action Officer (contact information on Page 3) to submit your request. A regional Workshop schedule is now being planned with training to begin this Fall.
Voting Action Officers
Department of State: Office of Overseas Citizens Services
Mr. Mark Raugust (202) 736-9163, fax: (202) 647-6201, votinginfo@state.gov, http://travel.state.gov/law/info/info_2964.html
Service Voting Action Officers
Army: Mr. Alton Perry (703) 325-4530, DSN: 221-4530, fax: (703) 325-4532, DSN fax: 221-4532,
voting.questions@conus.army.mil, https://www.hrc.army.mil/site/Active/TAGD/pssd/psb/ votingindex.htm
Navy: Mr. Dave Stevens (901) 874-4634, DSN: 882-4634, fax: (901) 874-6844,
DSN fax: 882-6844, vote@navy.mil,
https://www.cnic.navy.mil/cnic_hq_site/BaseSupport/CommandStaff/NavyVotingProgram/index.htm
Air Force: Mr. William A. D'Avanzo (210) 565-5000, toll free: 1-800 616-3775 (Select options 1, then 1, then 2 from menu), DSN: 665-5000, fax: (210) 565-2543, DSN fax: 665-2543,
afpc/dpffofvotefund@randolph.af.mil, http://www.afcrossroads.com/VoteFund/Vote/default.htm
Marine Corps: Mr. Robert Wagner (703) 784-9511, DSN: 278-9511, fax: (703) 784-9823, DSN fax: 278-9823,
mra.voting.officer@usmc.mil,
https://www.manpower.usmc.mil/pls/portal/url/page/m_ra_home/MR/Personnel/Voting
Coast Guard: LTJG Frank Marcheski (202) 475-5382, fax: (202) 475-5927, Frank.A.Marcheski@uscg.mil
http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg1/cg122/PolicyStandards/Voting/default.asp
Links to the Services’ websites are available at www.fvap.gov.
Federal Voting Assistance Program
Department of Defense
1155 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301-1155
(703) 588-1584
DSN 425-1584
TOLL FREE: 1-800-438-VOTE (8683)
FAX: (703) 696-1352
DSN 426-1352
Visit our website for international toll-free phone and fax numbers.
Email: vote@fvap.ncr.gov
Comments or suggestions on this newsletter are welcome and appreciated.
Website: www.fvap.gov
Vote!
______________________________________________________
JOHN CORNYN
United States Senator - Texas
For Immediate Release |
CONTACT: Kevin McLaughlin, (202) 224-0704
Tina Gray, (202) 224-0703
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 |
Key Senate Committee Adopts Sen. Cornyn’s Critical Military Voting Reforms
Sen. Cornyn also recognized by colleagues for his unyielding efforts to improve military voting
WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, who has been a long-time Senate advocate of military voting reform, successfully incorporated several of his initiatives into legislation passed today out of the Senate Rules Committee. Sen. Cornyn strengthened the MOVE Act by adding two major pieces of legislation – one based on his Military Voting Protection (MVP) Act and another based on his Military Voters’ Equal Access to Registration (MVEAR) Act – to ensure that overseas troops are provided expedited delivery of their completed ballots and also given, along with their families, on-base voter assistance when they need it. His efforts and leadership on the issue of military voting were also recognized by several of his Senate colleagues who are on the committee, including Rules Committee Chairman Chuck Schumer, Ranking Member Robert Bennett and Sen. Saxby Chambliss.
“Sadly, our troops and their family members face tremendous roadblocks when it comes to voting in U.S. elections, as formally documented in report after report. I am working with my Senate colleagues to tear down these barriers and ensure that every military service member and family member is able to participate in the democratic process and have his or her vote counted.
“It’s highly encouraging the committee has adopted the MOVE Act, which includes comprehensive military voting reforms, many of which I’ve been pushing in the U.S. Senate. We are now one step closer to enacting these important reforms into law and helping our troops get the assistance and resources they need to vote in U.S. elections,” Sen. Cornyn said.
Background
Following the markup, Sen. Cornyn signed onto the MOVE Act, as amended with his military voting reforms included.
Sen. Cornyn has spearheaded efforts on military voting reform, including the MVP Act, which ensures that the completed ballots of troops overseas are delivered to the appropriate state election officials in time to be counted; it passed the Senate last year. He reintroduced it this Congress with bipartisan support, and it currently has 33 co-sponsors. In addition, it has received an overwhelming number of endorsements from prominent Veterans Service Organizations and military support groups.
Building on the success of the MVP Act, Sens. Cornyn and Begich introduced a second military voting reform bill to make sure troops and their family members have voter registration assistance through ‘motor voter’-style services provided to them on military installations. This second, complimentary bill – the MVEAR Act – would help make sure blank absentee ballots reach troops at their current addresses, so they can cast their votes and send their completed ballots back to their home election offices in time to be counted on Election Day.
Sen. Cornyn serves on the Finance, Judiciary and Budget Committees. He serves as the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee’s Immigration, Refugees and Border Security subcommittee. He served previously as Texas Attorney General, Texas Supreme Court Justice, and Bexar County District Judge.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Voting Bills
STAUS AS OF JUNE 10, 2009
H.R. 1604 , amended-Help America Vote Act of 2002 to allow all eligible voters to vote by mail in Federal elections (.Universal Right to Vote by Mail Act of 2009);
Sponsor: Rep Davis, Susan A. [CA-53] (introduced 3/19/2009) Cosponsors (50)
Latest Major Action: 6/10/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 4 - 2.
_______________
H.R.1719IH To amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 and the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to promote the use of the Internet by State and local election officials in carrying out voter registration activities, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Lofgren, Zoe [CA-16] (introduced 3/25/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 3/25/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
______________________
H.R.2082 To amend the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act to require States to accept absentee ballots of overseas military and civilian voters which are submitted by the voter to a provider of express mail services not later than the day before the date of the election involved for transmission to the appropriate State election official, to require the Secretary of Defense to reimburse overseas military voters for the costs of using a provider of express mail services to transmit the ballot to the official, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Holt, Rush D. [NJ-12] (introduced 4/23/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 4/23/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
___________________
H.R. 2510, (To amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to reimburse States for the costs incurred in establishing a program to track and confirm the receipt of voted absentee ballots in elections for Federal office and make information on the receipt of such ballots available by means of online access, and for other purposes) Absentee Ballot Tract, Receive and Confirm Act
Latest Major Action: 6/10/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
;Rep Davis, Susan A. [CA-53] (introduced 5/20/2009)
____________________
H.R. 512, amended, Federal Election Integrity Act of 2009
To amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit certain State election administration officials from actively participating in electoral campaigns.
_________________
H.R. 2393, Military Voting Protection Act of 2008
To amend the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act to improve procedures for the collection and delivery of marked absentee ballots of absent overseas uniformed services voters, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep McCarthy, Kevin [CA-22] (introduced 5/13/2009) Cosponsors (38)
Related Bills: S.1026
Latest Major Action: 6/10/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
_______________________________
MILITARY VOTING RIGHTS USA
"For Those Who Sacrifice The Most"
www.MVRUSA.ORG
June 10, 2009
Contact:
Roman Buhler
202 255-5000
Info@MvrUSA.Org
HOUSE PANEL UNANIMOUSLY BACKS MILITARY VOTING RIGHTS BILL
Military Voting Rights USA praised the House Administration Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives for today unanimously approving the Military Voting Protection Act sponsored by Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Dan Boren (D-OK), and 32 other House co-sponsors.
"If this bill is enacted, military voters will be able to get their ballots express mailed home in 4 days, not 3 weeks" said Jessie Jane Duff, a 20 year U.S. Marine Corps veteran from the group Military Voting Rights USA.
Ms. Duff testified in favor of the bill on May 21, 2009 at the Committee on House Administration's Elections Subcommittee hearing on military voting.
"There is no reason military voters should not be able to cast their vote on the Friday before the election and know that it will be counted on Tuesday" said Ms. Duff.
"With four day instead of 3 Week ballot delivery time, turnout will increase and fewer military voters will be disenfranchised because their ballots arrive too late to be counted" said Ed Fitzmaurice, another leader of Military Voting Rights USA and a former U.S. Marine Corps piliot. Mr. Fitzmaurice served until recently as Chairman of the U.S. Government's National Mediation Board.
We hope that H.R. 2393 will be bought to the House floor for a vote in the near future" said Fitzmaurice.
Senator John Cornyn has introduced an identical bill S. 1026 in the U.S. Senate with 25 bipartisan co-sponsors.
Military Voting Rights USA is a national network of veterans and military voting rights advocates working to make it easier for military voters to participate in the elections process.
For more information please go to the Military Voting Rights USA website at www.MVRUSA.ORG.
May 13, 2009
House bill (sponsored by Rep. Kevin McCarthy) -hearing next Thursday, no number assigned yet- on military voting rights. In essence, to expedite voting procedures for military personnel: collection, tracking and delivery-all in 4 days- Express mail
S.1026 (Bill)
Title: A bill to amend the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act to improve procedures for the collection and delivery of marked absentee ballots of absent overseas uniformed service voters, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Cornyn, John [TX] (introduced 5/12/2009) Cosponsors (4)
Latest Major Action: 5/12/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
In the news;
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090513/D98573FG0.html
It concerns findings being released at a Senate hearing today that indicate that "one out of every four ballots requested by military personnel and other Americans living overseas for the 2008 election may have gone uncounted."
# 21 November 14, 2008
2008 ELECTIONS NOT OVER:
GEORGIA TO HOLD RUNOFF ELECTION ON DECEMBER 2, 2008
Georgia will hold a runoff election for the following federal and statewide offices on December 2, 2008.
United States Senate Candidates:
Saxby Chambliss Republican
Jim Martin Democrat
Public Service Commission Candidates, District 4- Northern:
Lauren W. McDonald Jr. Republican
Jim Powell Democrat
Appeals Court Judge Candidates:
Sara Doyle Non-Partisan
Mike Sheffield Non-Partisan
REQUESTING YOUR BALLOT:
If you are registered to vote in Georgia but did not request a ballot for the November 4, 2008 general election, you may still vote in this runoff election. You may download the application and submit it to your county registrar via mail, email (as an attachment), or fax. You must have an absentee ballot request on file at the county registrar's office prior to your ballot being counted. To request an absentee ballot, submit a completed Federal Post Card Application (Standard Form 76, FPCA), available with instructions at: http://fvap.gov/uniformed-service-members/request-registration-absentee-ballot/states/ga/index.html or from your unit Voting Assistance Officer (VAO), embassy, or consulate.
RECEIVING YOUR BALLOT:
Georgia offers military and overseas voters the Statewide Write-In Absentee Ballot (SWAB) to use in the event of a runoff election involving federal and statewide offices. Voters who received an absentee ballot for the general election also received a SWAB, including all necessary envelopes and instructions. This ballot should be completed and sent back to the county registrar as soon as possible to meet important deadlines. The SWAB and instructions can also be obtained at the Georgia Secretary of State’s website: www.sos.georgia.gov/elections/uocava.
If you received a ballot for the November 4, 2008 general election, your county registrar will mail you an absentee ballot containing all federal, state, and local runoff races for which you are eligible to vote. It is highly recommended that the SWAB be returned to the county registrar immediately, in case there is a delay receiving the general absentee ballot. If the county registrar receives both the absentee ballot and the SWAB by the deadline, the registrar will count the absentee ballot and not the SWAB.
Additionally, uniformed service members, their family members, and overseas citizens may use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (Standard Form 186, FWAB) to vote in this runoff election for only the U.S. Senate race. You can get the FWAB from your unit VAO, embassy or consulate. The online version of the FWAB and Georgia FWAB instructions are available at: http://www.fvap.gov/uniformed-service-members/fed-write-in-absentee-ballot/states/ga/index.html.
RETURNING YOUR BALLOT:
All ballots must be returned by mail, postmarked by December 2, 2008 and received no later than December 5, 2008.
VAOs should contact any Georgia voters they assist, inform them of this election, and provide help returning the absentee ballot. Citizens should vote and return ballots immediately upon receipt.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
For more information on candidates, elections, and voting, go to the Georgia Secretary of State website: http://sos.georgia.gov/elections/default.htm.
Questions may be referred to the Director, Federal Voting Assistance Program, Department of Defense, 1155 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-1155 or : vote@fvap.ncr.gov. Visit the FVAP website at www.fvap.gov.
VOTING INFORMATION NEWS
November 2008 * Vol. 18, No. 11
A roundup of voting news from the Federal Voting Assistance Program
(FVAP) for voters, potential voters and those who assist voters.
THE ELECTION IS UPON US
The following explains the three possible scenarios citizens face within
days of the elections and guidance for the VAO for assisting the
citizen:
Scenario 1. The citizen has received the state ballot: Vote and return
it immediately! When mailing the voted ballot, the citizen should ask
the mail clerk to hand stamp the ballot envelope so that a date is
clearly visible. The dated postmark will help ensure that the Local
Election Official can make a proper determination of timely mailing.
Many states that allow late counting of ballots require the ballot
envelope has been mailed on or before Election Day. In addition, FVAP
recommends that the citizens always vote and return their regular state
absentee ballot, regardless of the day it is received, as long as it is
mailed by Election Day.
Scenario 2. The citizen has not received the requested ballot: If the
citizen is a Uniformed Service voter or overseas and has requested the
absentee ballot, but has not received the regular state ballot, the
citizen may be qualified to use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot
(FWAB). The citizen should obtain a FWAB now, vote it, fax it (if
allowed by the state) and mail it immediately! The citizen can obtain
the FWAB from the Voting Assistance Officer (VAO), at a US Embassy or
Consulate or American organization overseas such as Democrats Abroad or
Republicans Abroad.
Important note: If the citizen receives the state absentee ballot after
submitting the FWAB, he or she should vote and return the state ballot
up to and including Election Day.
The citizen should contact his or her VAO to determine registration
status and what options are provided by the state or county according to
the VAG and information obtained from the FVAP website. Additionally
for many states, the citizen can check his or her registration status
online at http://www.fvap.gov/reference/links/index.html.
The VAO may email FVAP or the voter's local election official providing
the voter information (below) to obtain the status of the ballot.
Further steps will be determined at that point.
Information needed when emailing to vote@fvap.ncr.gov:
The Subject of the email should include the State name and a short
description of the problem (e.g. Voter from North Carolina has not
received Ballot).
The email should include as much of the following information as
possible: The voter's full name, DOB, last four digits of the SSN, the
complete address in the county and state where he or she claims
residence, the county the FPCA was mailed to, the voter's fax number,
email address and phone number, and the address where the citizen asked
to mail the ballot.
Scenario 3. The citizen has not registered or requested an absentee
ballot: In some states there may still be time for action. The citizen
should contact the VAO to determine, using the VAG and the FVAP website,
if the registration is still open and what methods the state allows for
expediting FPCA and ballot delivery.
The citizen should obtain and complete an FPCA, fax or email it (if
state/county allows), and mail the hardcopy immediately to the LEO. If
the state/county allows faxing and or emailing the blank and the voted
ballot, the citizen should request it on the FPCA and provide email and
fax numbers as required.
REMINDERS FOR THE UPCOMING ELECTION
Late Counting: The following states allow extended counting of absentee
ballots for the November 4, 2008 general election: Alaska, Arkansas,
District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland,
Massachusetts, Montana, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Texas,
Utah, Virgin Islands, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. All
require the ballot to be voted and mailed no later than the day of the
election. See the October issue of this newsletter, or visit
www.fvap.gov <http://www.fvap.gov/> for State-by-State specific
requirements.
The Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) should be used if the
requested state absentee ballot has not arrived in time to allow the
voter to return it by the state deadline for counting. If the voter has
yet to receive his or her state absentee ballot have them fill out and
mail in the FWAB now. However, FVAP recommends that citizens always
vote and return their regular state absentee ballot, regardless of when
they receive it up to and including Election Day. See the October issue
of this newsletter or the FVAP website for State-by-State Ballot Return
Deadlines.
Postmark: When mailing your voted ballot, please ask the mail clerk to
hand stamp the ballot envelope so that a date is clearly visible. The
dated postmark will help ensure that the Local Election Official can
make a proper determination of timely mailing. Generally, if a state
allows late counting of ballots, the ballot envelope must have been
mailed on or before Election Day
Affidavit, Notary or Witness: The following states require an
affidavit, notary or witness on the ballot return envelope for both the
state issued ballot and the FWAB: Alabama, Alaska, Guam Louisiana,
North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Virginia and Wisconsin.
Refer to the State-by-State Instructions at www.fvap.gov
<http://www.fvap.gov/> to determine if your state requires the voted
ballot to be postmarked.
Questions regarding absentee voting should be referred to your Voting
Assistance Officer or refer to the 2008-09 Voting Assistance Guide at
www.fvap.gov <http://www.fvap.gov/> .
FVAP WEBSITE
At times it may be difficult for VAOs to assist all unit members and
eligible family members one-on-one in completing the FPCA. VAOs should
encourage voters to visit the FVAP website, www.fvap.gov. Log on today
and you will find:
* Information on absentee voting, including a list of "Frequently Asked
Questions".
* The Voting Assistance Officer section gives you access to forms,
instructions on how to order materials, copies of current and past
newsletters, and much more.
* Links to state election sites where the citizen can read about
upcoming state elections and gain access to candidate information. It
is another great way for them to stay informed with local issues.
Select the links section from the "Reference Center".
* Citizens can access our automated FPCA tool from the "Quick Links"
section on the home page.
* The online alternative version of the FPCA, which is accepted by all
states including the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Puerto Rico
and the Virgin Islands (Guam does not accept the OFPCA). Citizens can
print it, fill it out, and mail it to their local election official.
* A list of international toll free phone and fax numbers to contact the
FVAP.
* Information on communicating with elected officials, including local,
state, and federal offices, and tips for telephoning or writing their
elected officials.
* Information for Armed Forces Recruiting Offices, including information
on the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) and voter registration
information for military recruiters. Select Military Recruiter
Information from the "Reference Center".
* Links to the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, National
Governor's association, and many more.
POST-ELECTION SURVEY HEADED YOUR WAY
Each Presidential election year, the Federal Voting Assistance Program
(FVAP) conducts surveys to determine voter participation in the
electoral process and to evaluate our program. This survey is not the
same as the Election Day survey conducted by the U.S. Election
Assistance Commission.
There are six populations that make up the FVAP Post-Election Survey.
These include the following: Uniformed Services members, Federal
civilians overseas, non-Federal overseas citizens, Unit Voting
Assistance Officers, Department of State Voting Assistance Officers and
U.S. local election officials will receive surveys during the week of
November 2, 2008.
If you receive one of these surveys in the mail, we encourage you to
take a few minutes and fill out either the paper questionnaire or
respond via the Internet. Instructions for Internet response will be
provided in the survey package.
Your participation in this survey can play a very important part in
improving the absentee voting process for Uniformed Service members and
U.S. citizens overseas. We ask that you fill out and return the survey
as soon as you receive it. If you have any questions or need any
assistance regarding the survey, please contact Ms. Erin St. Pierre at
1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or vote@fvap.ncr.gov. The FVAP thanks you in
advance for your participation.
STATE DEPARTMENT REACHES OUT TO VOTERS
* Weathering two hard rainstorms, Tokyo's ACS staff assisted more than
60 people register to vote during Community Friendship Day Celebration
hosted by the US Embassy in Tokyo for the American and local communities
at the Embassy Housing Compound.
* Embassy Amman has been providing voting assistance to the 20,000+
American Citizen resident and visitor community in this high interest
Presidential election year.
* Hong Kong has been reaching out to American students and Johannesburg
registered 50 new voters at their outreach event on July 4th.
RECENT NEWS
Arizona announced a new web-based voting system for overseas voters to
securely submit their voted ballots for the upcoming General Election.
More information can be found at www.azsos.gov by clicking on the
"Military & Overseas Voter" icon.
VOTING ASSISTANCE OFFICERS "TO DO" LIST
* Remind citizens to vote and return any absentee ballots regardless of
when they receive it up to election day.
* International toll-free fax numbers are available at:
http://www.fvap.gov/contact/toll-free-fax/index.html.
* Visit www.fvap.gov <http://www.fvap.gov/> more often to keep current
on news and updates for UOCAVA citizens.
Check the updates to the Voting Assistance Guide from the FVAP website
and ensure your hard copy of the Guide is up to date.
Voting Action Officers
Department of State: Office of Overseas Citizens Services
Chief VAO: Ms. Elizabeth Gracon (202) 736-4986, fax: (202)
647-6201, votinginfo@state.gov
Deputy VAO: Mr. Tyler Mason (202)647-6129, fax: (202) 647-6201
http://travel.state.gov/law/info/info_2964.html
Service Voting Action Officers
Army: Mr. Alton Perry (703) 325-4530, DSN: 221-4530, fax:
(703) 325-4532, DSN fax: 221-4532,
alton.c.perry@conus.army.mil,
https://www.hrc.army.mil/site/Active/TAGD/pssd/psb/votingindex.htm
Navy: LT Jason Watkins (901) 874-6647, DSN: 882-6647, fax:
(901) 874-6844,
DSN fax: 882-6844, vote@navy.mil,
https://www.cnic.navy.mil/cnic_hq_site/BaseSupport/CommandStaff/NavyVoti
ngProgram/index.htm
Air Force: Mr. Gilbert D. Harrison, Jr. (210) 565-5000, toll free:
1-800 616-3775 (Select options 1, then 1, then 2
from menu), DSN: 665-5000, fax: (210) 565-2543, DSN fax:
665-2543,
afpc/dpffofvotefund@randolph.af.mil,
http://www.afcrossroads.com/VoteFund/Vote/default.htm
Marine Corps: Mr. David E. James (703) 784-9511, DSN: 278-9511, fax:
(703) 784-9823, DSN fax: 278-9823,
mra.voting.officer@usmc.mil,
https://www.manpower.usmc.mil/pls/portal/url/page/m_ra_home/MR/Personnel
/Voting
Coast Guard: LTJG Frank Marcheski (202) 475-5382, fax: (202)
475-5927, Frank.A.Marcheski@uscg.mil
http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg1/cg122/PolicyStandards/Voting/default.asp
Links to the Services' websites are available at www.fvap.gov.
Federal Voting Assistance Program
Department of Defense
1155 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301-1155
(703) 588-1584
DSN 425-1584
TOLL FREE: 1-800-438-VOTE (8683)
FAX: (703) 696-1352
DSN 426-1352
Visit our website for international toll-free phone and fax numbers.
Email: vote@fvap.ncr.gov
Comments or suggestions on this newsletter are welcome and appreciated.
Website:www.fvap.gov
Vote!
For Immediate Release:
September 17, 2008
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer’s
Statement on Resolution
Supporting Voting Assistance Abroad
WASHINGTON, DC – House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement concerning passage of H. Con. Res. 388 expressing the sense of Congress that the Department of Defense and the Federal Voting Assistance Program should take additional measures to ensure that U.S. citizens living abroad, including members of the Armed Services and their dependents, are provided with reasonable information on how to register to vote and vote in the 2008 general elections:
“In six weeks, Americans will go to the polls to cast ballots in what promises to be one of the closest and most consequential elections in U.S. history.
“In light of the importance of this year’s election, it is critical that every eligible voter, wherever he or she may live, be given an opportunity to cast a ballot, and have that ballot counted in an accurate and timely fashion.
“Unfortunately, for the 6 million eligible women and men living overseas, many of whom serve in our armed services and diplomatic posts, exercising the franchise presents unique obstacles. Recent statistics show that less than 17 percent of these citizens participated in the 2006 election. For tens of thousands of others who did vote, their ballots were rejected because they were received past the required deadline, according to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. This is simply unacceptable.
“Today’s House passage of H. Con. Res. 388 sends a clear and unmistakable message to the Defense Department’s Federal Voting Assistance Program, the agency responsible for educating U.S. citizens worldwide of their right to vote and increasing their participation, that more needs to be done improve the voting process for all citizens living abroad.
“As a leader on election reform issues, I am pleased to have cosponsored this important resolution.”
Contact: Stacey Farnen Bernards 202-225-3130
Visit majorityleader.house.gov for more press, floor and member resources (202) 225-3130
110th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. CON. RES. 388
Expressing the sense of Congress that the Department of Defense and the Federal Voting Assistance Program should take certain additional and timely measures to ensure that members of the Armed Forces and their dependents are provided with reasonable information on how to register to vote and vote in the 2008 general elections.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 8, 2008
Mr. BLUNT (for himself, Mr. EHLERS, Mr. HUNTER, Mr. SMITH of Texas, Mr. COLE of Oklahoma, Mr. HAYES, Mrs. MILLER of Michigan, Mr. MCCARTHY of California, and Mr. HELLER of Nevada) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of Congress that the Department of Defense and the Federal Voting Assistance Program should take certain additional and timely measures to ensure that members of the Armed Forces and their dependents are provided with reasonable information on how to register to vote and vote in the 2008 general elections.
Whereas members of the Armed Forces and their dependents deserve every reasonable opportunity to participate in the electoral process given their daily sacrifices to protect our liberty and freedom;
Whereas Congress enacted the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act in part to ensure that members of the Armed Forces and their dependents are provided with sufficient information, opportunities, and balloting materials to foster their participation in Federal elections;
Whereas the Election Assistance Commission found that less than 17 percent of the 6 million citizens eligible under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act chose to participate in the 2006 general election;
Whereas the Election Assistance Commission further found that of the 48,600 Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act ballots that were not counted by States and local jurisdictions in the November 2006 elections, 70 percent were not counted due to incorrect or undeliverable addresses;
Whereas the Election Assistance Commission further found that more than 10 percent of all uncounted military and overseas absentee ballots were rejected because they were received past the required deadline;
Whereas the Election Assistance Commission further found that more effort needs to be made by the States and the Department of Defense to ensure that members of the Armed Forces and their dependents and citizens living overseas are made fully aware of their voting rights;
Whereas the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness and the Federal Voting Assistance Program are required to create and utilize a Federal Post Card Application that allows members of the Armed Forces and their dependents to use a single application to register to vote and request an absentee ballot;
Whereas a survey conducted recently by the Inspector General for the Department of Defense analyzed the effectiveness of the Federal Voting Assistance Program during the 2006 general election, and found that only 40 percent of members of the Armed Forces received voting information from the military and only 33 percent were aware of the Federal Post Card Application;
Whereas in April 2008 the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness testified before the Committee on House Administration that the Department of Defense had not provided all members of the Armed Forces and their dependents with post card applications by the January 15, 2008, deadline, as required by Department policy, and that the Department has yet to comply with this requirement; and
Whereas many of Department of Defense’s outreach efforts, including its Armed Forces Voter Week, are scheduled to occur 60 days before the November 2008 election, which may not provide members of the Armed Forces and their dependents with sufficient time to complete and return the Federal Post Card Applications: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that—
(1) it is in the interests of the United States to ensure that the Secretary of Defense and the Federal Voting Assistance Program provide members of the Armed Forces and their dependents who are eligible under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act with sufficient information regarding opportunities to register to vote and to request an absentee ballot for elections occurring in 2008, including the November 2008 general election;
(2) the Secretary of Defense and the Federal Voting Assistance Program must, on a monthly basis starting July 15, 2008, through the November 2008 general election, provide all eligible members of the Armed Forces and their dependents with an electronic reminder of the voter registration and absentee ballot process available under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, and, as required by Department policy, provide all members of the Armed Forces and their dependents with an electronic or paper copy of the Federal Post Card Application, along with sufficient instruction on completing and returning the application to the appropriate election official;
(3) State and local election officials should work with the Federal Voting Assistance Program to develop methods, consistent with privacy and security, for obtaining updated addresses and contact information, if possible, for any member of the Armed Forces or dependent who has been identified by the State or local election official as having an undeliverable ballot address;
(4) the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness should report to the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate, and the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and Senate not later than September 15, 2008, on the efforts made by the Department of Defense to—
(A) educate members of the Armed Forces on the process of voter registration and absentee voting in the 2008 general election,
(B) provide all eligible members of the Armed Forces and their dependents with the Federal Post Card Application to register to vote and cast absentee ballots in such election, and
(C) cooperate effectively with State and local election officials in their efforts to register these individuals and distribute and collect their absentee ballots;
(5) States must redouble their efforts to make sure that local jurisdictions collect the mandated information for individuals who are eligible under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, and should work in partnership with the Federal Government to develop best practices (including the use of electronic means) for encouraging voting participation among members of the Armed Forces and their dependents and citizens living overseas; and
(6) the Department of Defense, the Federal Voting Assistance Program, the Election Assistance Commission, and State governments should examine recommendations made by the Election Assistance Commission in its September 2007 survey findings regarding the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.
______________________________________________________________________
VOTING INFORMATION NEWS
July 2008 * Vol. 18, No. 7
A roundup of voting news from the Federal Voting Assistance Program
(FVAP) for voters, potential voters and those who assist voters.
CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE - OVERSEAS CITIZENS' VOTING WEEK JUNE 28 - JULY
7, 2008
The Secretary of Defense has designated June 28 through July 7, 2008 as
Overseas Citizens Voters Week. This is an excellent time to get the
word out as U.S. citizens gather for Independence Day activities.
Overseas Citizens Voters Week is generally geared toward non-military
voters, but the Services are encouraged to have an Independence Day
registration booth, too. As a Voting Assistance Officer (VAO), you
should make sure that those you support have received and filled out
their Federal Post Card Application (FPCA, SF 76) for registration
and/or ballot request.
You should work with other VAOs on base to plan Overseas Citizens Voters
Week. The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) schedules this event
the week around the Fourth of July because many bases, embassies and
consulates have celebrations that enable you to reach a large contingent
of people at once.
The VAOs on base should coordinate with their installation VAO and their
Service Voting Action Officer (see page 3) in the development of
"Overseas Citizens Voters Week. Publicize the importance of early
action on the part of the voter in order to obtain a ballot for the
general election well in advance of election deadlines. Your
Installation VAO and Service Voting Action Officer will have "good
ideas" to pass on to you. Also look on the FVAP website for "good
ideas" from other Services.
The objective of this campaign is to promote voter outreach efforts
worldwide. Events should help ensure that all citizens have been given
the opportunity to receive information on how to obtain an absentee
ballot and how to return their voted ballot on time to meet the state
deadlines.
Events held during this week should create excitement about voting.
Examples of outreach efforts include disseminating voter information and
registration forms, conducting voter registration drives and training
workshops, and providing general assistance to citizens. Local
publicity campaigns, ranging from newspaper articles and posters to
television and radio coverage, can inform voters when and where these
events occur.
In preparation VAOs should do the following:
1 - Gather voting materials (forms, posters, pamphlets)
2 - Contact the installation organization in charge of
social activities and see if there will be an Independence Day
celebration
3 - Prepare to set up a booth or table at the Fourth of
July Celebration so you can share voting information
4 - Prepare short information pieces for local
newsletters or bulletin boards regarding the upcoming event or elections
coming up
THE FUNDAMENTALS OF BEING A VOTING ASSISTANCE OFFICER - FVAP WORKSHOPS
It is highly recommended that as a Voting Assistance Officer, you attend
a training workshop.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) Workshop The FVAP conducts
Voting Assistance Officer (VAO) training on the first and third Thursday
of every month at the FVAP office. In addition, the FVAP provides a
number of regionally-held workshops at select military installations and
mobilization sites as requested by the Services. These workshops are
oriented towards VAOs and persons who provide voting assistance at U.S.
Embassies and Consulates, Military installations, and American Citizen
Organizations overseas. VAOs from nearby installations, regardless of
Service, should be invited to attend these workshops at the host
installation. Although primarily for VAOs, workshops are open to any
interested persons.
The workshop takes approximately two hours and is an interactive,
hands-on training session with the participants asking questions and
making comments as the workshop progresses. The workshop provides
timely information about the absentee registration and voting process
for Uniformed Services voters and U.S. citizens overseas; information,
resources and tools critical to preparing VAOs to effectively perform
their duties in assisting Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee
Voting Act (UOCAVA) citizens.
Role of the VAO
VAOs are critical to the success of voting assistance programs. In
fact, the knowledge and effectiveness of a VAO, combined with a
comprehensive voting assistance plan, may very well determine whether a
citizen understands how and when to participate in the election process.
VAOs are responsible for providing accurate, non-partisan voting
information and assistance to citizens of all 55 states and territories
who want to exercise their right to vote. Many VAOs are new to the job
and may find it difficult to provide voting assistance or answer voting
related questions. The VAO training workshop will answer these questions
and make it easier for VAOs to help individuals follow the proper
absentee ballot procedures.
Basic agenda
The Installation VAO begins by introducing the commander (General/Flag
officer or other high ranking official) who will give the opening
remarks and introduce the FVAP person who will conduct the workshop. If
the local election official is available, FVAP will present him or her.
(The local election official will answer questions pertinent to local
military voters that may come up during the session and may distribute
local forms.) The workshop will cover the following topics: the UOCAVA
and the FVAP, the VAO duties and responsibilities, the absentee voting
process, how to use absentee voting materials and additional resources.
Events should emphasize the importance of registering and requesting an
absentee ballot in sufficient time to allow citizens to receive, vote
and return the voted ballot in time to meet state election deadlines.
VAOs should note that they cannot advise voters on specific candidates
or issues and that all activities should be conducted on a nonpartisan
basis. However VAOs may refer these citizens to other information
sources such as local, regional and national newspapers, information
pamphlets from political parties, and the FVAP website www.fvap.gov
(select State Election Sites).
Online VAO Training Courses
In addition to the onsite VAO Training courses, the FVAP has the two
versions (Uniformed Service, and Overseas Citizens.) of the VAO training
courses online in Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 formats at
www.fvap.gov. The Adobe Acrobat version requires Acrobat Reader 7.0 or
higher to view. This material is also on the VAO Resources CD, available
upon request through email at vote@fvap.ncr.gov.
FVAP also provides a self-administered VAO training, available online
and on the VAO Resources CD. The self-administered training is targeted
to VAOs who are not able to attend an instructor-led workshop. Once the
training is complete, the VAO will be able to print off a training
certificate to place in the Voting Program Continuity Folder.
It is important to use the 2008-09 Voting Assistance Guide, and the FPCA
(SF76) and the FWAB (SF186) while taking any of these courses.
2008-09 PRESIDENTIAL POST-ELECTION SURVEY Each presidential election
year, the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) conducts
post-election surveys as required by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens
Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA). These surveys help determine voter
participation by military and overseas citizens in the electoral process
and assist us in evaluating and improving our program. This survey is
not the same as the Election Day survey conducted by the U.S. Election
Assistance Commission.
There are six populations that make up the FVAP post-election survey.
* Department of State Voting Assistance Officers
* Local Election Officials
* Unit Voting Assistance Officers
* Uniformed Service Members (active duty and reserve)
* Overseas Citizens - Non-Federal Employees
* Federal Civilian Employees Overseas
The actual survey will be administered in November 2008. If contacted
to take the survey, we strongly encourage you to participate, as your
responses will play a very important part in improving the absentee
voting process for military and overseas absentee voters. If you have
any questions or comments regarding the survey, please contact Ms. Erin
E. St Pierre at 1-800-438-8683 or vote@fvap.ncr.gov.
The FVAP thanks you in advance for your participation!
Voting Assistance Officers' "To Do" This Month:
* Take inventory of your supplies. You want to make sure you have
FPCAs, FWABs and posters on hand for Overseas Citizens' Voting Week
* Be sure your contact information has been posted correctly in your
area. Make sure installation or Embassy/Consulate telephone operators
know to refer callers requiring voting assistance to you
* Review the 2008-09 Voting Assistance Guide's Introduction, Chapter 1
and Chapter 2 for important information.
* Every month you should be checking the FVAP website (www.fvap.gov) for
updates to the 2008-09 Voting Assistance Guide.
Voting Action Officers
Department of State: Office of Overseas Citizens Services
Chief VAO: Mr. Jack Markey (202) 736-4937, fax: (202)
647-6201, votinginfo@state.gov
Deputy VAO: Ms. Elizabeth Gracon, (202) 647-6129, fax: (202)
647-6201
http://travel.state.gov/law/info/info_2964.html
Service Voting Action Officers
Army: Mr. Alton Perry (703) 325-4530, DSN: 221-4530, fax: (703)
325-4532, DSN fax: 221-4532,
alton.c.perry@conus.army.mil,
https://www.hrc.army.mil/site/Active/TAGD/pssd/psb/votingindex.htm
Navy: LT Jason Watkins 1-866-U-ASK-NPC (827-5672) (select
option 6 from menu), fax: (901) 874-6844,
DSN fax: 882-6844, vote@navy.mil,
http://www.cni.navy.mil/cnic_hq_site/BaseSupport/CommandStaff/NavyVoting
Program/index.htm
Air Force: Mr. Gilbert D. Harrison, Jr. (210) 565-5000, toll free:
1-800 616-3775 (Select options 1, then 1, then 2 from menu), DSN:
665-5000, fax: (210) 565-2543, DSN fax: 665-2543,
afpc/dpffofvotefund@randolph.af.mil,
http://www.afcrossroads.com/VoteFund/Vote/default.htm
Marine Corps: Mr. David E. James (703) 784-9511, DSN: 278-9511, fax:
(703) 784-9823, DSN fax: 278-9823,
mra.voting.officer@usmc.mil,
https://www.manpower.usmc.mil/pls/portal/url/page/m_ra_home/MR/Personnel
/Voting
Coast Guard: LTJG Frank Marcheski (202) 475-5375, fax: (202)
475-5927, Frank.A.Marcheski@uscg.mil
http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-w/g-wp/g-wpm/g-wpm-1/VotingAssistance/Voting_As
sistance.htm
Links to the Services' websites are available at www.fvap.gov.
Federal Voting Assistance Program
Department of Defense
1155 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301-1155
(703) 588-1584
DSN 425-1584
TOLL FREE: 1-800-438-VOTE (8683)
FAX: (703) 696-1352
DSN 426-1352
Visit our website for international toll-free phone and fax numbers.
Email: vote@fvap.ncr.gov
Comments or suggestions on this newsletter are welcome and appreciated.
Website:www.fvap.gov
Vote! |
