Voting Information News

Voting Assistance Officer

Online Training Slides

FVAP provides online training for VAOs at www.fvap.gov <http://www.fvap.gov/> . VAOs are encouraged to visit the FVAP site to obtain the latest guidance and information for citizens voting under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA).

From our home page click on the tab titled "Voting Assistance Information". Visitors to the site will find two sections of the training program: one for use by VAOs in the Uniformed Services and another version for civilian VAOs at U.S. Embassies and Consulates, organizations of overseas civilian United States citizens and corporations that employ U.S. citizens overseas.   Both the military and civilian presentations are in three formats: Microsoft PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat and Text.  For site visitors without PowerPoint, a link allowing users to download a free PowerPoint viewer is provided.

Although FVAP will be releasing the 2010 workshop presentation in the Fall, the current training on the website is valid and can be very helpful to new VAOs and as a refresher.

The slide show addresses item-by-item completion of the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) and provides an overview of the top ten resources available from the FVAP to assist VAOs in carrying out their programs.   The presentation also explains the Electronic Transmission Service for  transmitting (fax or email) of election materials. Contact information on the Service and Department of State Voting Action Officers is also provided.

The presentations are accompanied by "speaker's notes" which explain each slide and can be used by VAOs when assisting citizens or training other VAOs, unit members and their families.

To set up your computer screen to view the notes on each slide, click on "PowerPoint Version".  Downloading may take up to a few seconds depending on the speed of your Internet connection.  Once the presentation is up on your screen, right click over the screen and click on "Edit Slides" on the down select menu.  This will bring up the Edit mode and you will be able to arrange the screen to view the notes at the bottom of each slide.   You are now able to scroll through each slide and view the notes associated with each slide.

You can also localize the presentation by downloading the file and running the presentation directly from your computer. You may also make "hard copies" of the slides for printing to 35mm slides or overhead transparencies.

Questions or comments on the online training presentation can be addressed to the FVAP by sending an email to vote@fvap.ncr.gov or using the contact information on Page 4.

 

UOCAVA  Absentee Voting and State Absentee Voting - What's the Difference?

The Federal government has assisted certain absentee voters since 1942.

In 1986, Congress updated and consolidated the provisions of the Federal Voting Assistance Act of 1955 and the Overseas Citizens Voting Rights Act of 1975 into the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA).  The UOCAVA requires that the states and territories allow certain groups of citizens to register and vote absentee in elections for Federal offices.  In addition, many states and territories have developed their own laws allowing citizens covered by the UOCAVA to register and vote absentee in state and local elections as well.

Many states allow non-UOCAVA citizens to vote absentee, but the procedures may be different from those for UOCAVA citizens.

The vast amount of information and the variance of these laws is why it is very important that organization or unit Voting Assistance Officers (VAOs) know the resources and tools available to them for providing assistance.  This will avoid any possible delays in voter's registering or requesting an absentee ballot.

VAOs should inform voters to always use the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA, Standard Form 76).  The VAO should promote the use of the FPCA and have these available for distribution by maintaining a sufficient number in stock.  Using the FPCA will notify the local election official (LEO) that the voter is covered under the UOCAVA and the LEO will know to respond accordingly.

To guide UOCAVA citizens and help clarify voting procedures, the VAO should:

      * Know how to use the Voting Assistance Guide.

      * Be familiar with the vast amount of resources available at the FVAP website (www.fvap.gov).

      * Read their organization/Service's Voting Action Plan.

      * Attend and conduct voting assistance workshop/training.  

If you cannot find voting assistance locally, please feel free to contact FVAP (see information on Page 4).

 

"Be Smart, Do your part, Vote!":

Last  Chance for 2009 Slogan Contest

This is your last chance to celebrate your independence by entering your voting slogan in the 2009 Voting Slogan Contest.

Your slogan will inspire citizens around the world to exercise one of their most fundamental rights as citizens of a democracy. You must act now because the April 9th deadline for submissions is fast approaching!

The contest winner and runners-up will not only have the satisfaction of knowing that their slogan is helping the FVAP in its efforts to improve voter awareness, but they will also be given a certificate of recognition from the Department of Defense for their contribution to this important endeavor.

All submissions must include your full name, branch of service (if military), mailing address, daytime telephone number, fax number and e-mail address (if applicable).

To submit your entry:

E-mail: slogan@fvap.ncr.gov. Text only (e-mail messages with attachments are deleted for information security purposes). One slogan per e-mail including contact information. 

Fax: (703) 696-1352 or DSN 426-1352.  Visit the FVAP website at

www.fvap.gov <http://www.fvap.gov/>   for international toll-free fax numbers. Submit one slogan per fax including contact information. No cover sheet is necessary.

Mail:

Federal Voting Assistance Program
Attn: Voting Slogan Contest
1155 Defense Pentagon
Washington DC 20301-1155

If submitting by mail, please type or print on regular letter size paper one slogan per page with contact information on each page.

 

Upcoming Elections

Though there are no regularly scheduled Federal elections being held in 2009, there are a number of state elections and special Federal elections that will be held during the year. Here are the current list of elections scheduled as of March 1, 2009 :

* March 31st: Special General Election in the 20th Congressional District of New York

* April 7th: Special General Election in the 5th Congressional District of Illinois

* May 19th: Special General Election in the 32nd Congressional District of California

* June 2nd: New Jersey State Primary Election

* June 9th: Virginia State Primary Election

* November 3rd: State General Elections in New Jersey and Virginia

Additionally, your state or locality may also be holding local elections during the year. Information on state and local elections being held this year is available from your state election website. Links to these sites can be found at FVAP's website at http://www.fvap.gov.

 

Voting Assistance  Officers' "To Do" List

* Encourage participation in the Voting Slogan Contest. The Slogan Contest is a good way to involve people and promote voter awareness.

Remember, participants may enter as many slogans in the contest as they wish . 

* Inventory and replenish your stock of  voting materials that were consumed in last year's elections.  Federal Postcard Applications (FPCA), SF-76, Federal Write-in Absentee Voting  Ballots (FWAB), SF-186, and Voting Assistance Guides are available through your normal supply distribution channels.

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/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. 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!