Voting Information News

August 2008 * Vol. 18, No. 8
A roundup of voting news from the Federal Voting Assistance Program
(FVAP) for voters, potential voters and those who assist voters.

PREPARING FOR ARMED FORCES VOTERS WEEK AUGUST 29-SEPTEMBER 7, 2008

The November 4, 2008 General Election is quickly approaching, and that means it is time for Voting Assistance Officers (VAO) to make their last push to get out absentee voting information.  The 2008 Armed Forces Voters Week (AFVW), this coming August 31-September 7, is the perfect opportunity for VAOs to coordinate workshops and information sessions in order to provide absentee voting assistance. 

AFVW marks the last safe week when military and overseas citizens can send in the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) (SF-76) to register as an absentee voter with their Local Election Offices and to receive their absentee ballot in time to vote in the November election.  Remember that specific information regarding registration and absentee ballot request form deadlines is located in the 2008-2009 Voting Assistance Guide as well as online at the FVAP website (www.fvap.gov) under State by State Instructions.

 

What to do during AFVW?

* Organize workshops to be held during AFVW and advertise sign-up sheets for these classes during the few weeks prior.  Use those workshops as an opportunity to help your fellow service members complete FPCAs as well as to answer any of their questions regarding absentee voting.

* Remember to emphasize the importance of requesting an absentee ballot early!  When addressing individual questions regarding differing states and their regulations be sure to consult the Voting Assistance Guide (VAG). 

* Remember that many states allow for various types of electronic transmission of election materials.  Be sure to inform service members of their electronic alternatives during the ballot requesting process. 

* Encourage individuals to contact their Local Election Offices immediately when they do not receive their ballots in a timely manner.

* Place FVAP posters in communal areas to remind service members of the upcoming election.  If you would like to request posters from the FVAP simply contact our Ombudsman Service at the toll free number, 1-800-438-VOTE or contact FVAP via email at: vote@fvap.ncr.gov

* For those service men and women not currently registered to vote, advertise a voter registration drive to encourage their participation in the voting process. 

* Realizing that for most of you, being a VAO is an additional duty, do your best to keep your activities simple.  Coordinating with other VAOs on base, as well as with other organizations can help spread the work load around.  Examples of other "on base" organizations include; wives clubs, family services, and Boy/Girl Scouts.  Club sports teams are also a great means to spread the news about the upcoming election.

* Another great avenue for voter outreach campaigns includes installation newspapers and other internal media, including closed-circuit television and Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS).  Contact them and advertise the importance of absentee voting along with Armed Forces Voters Week.  Remember, however, to always give them sufficient lead time in order to ensure that your advertisements are posted early.  Be sure to include any dates of registration drives or workshops that you have planned during AFVW, and provide your contact information so service members can contact you with any questions. 

* Be sure to consult the Voting Assistance Guide (VAG) along with the FVAP website (www.fvap.gov) throughout AFVW.  These are two great resources to consult when instructing others about absentee voting.  If you think you will need FPCAs, FWABs and or Guides feel free to contact FVAP at 1-800-438-VOTE or via email at vote@fvap.ncr.gov and our Ombudsman Service Agents will be happy to assist you.

ASD(RA), FVAP DIRECTOR VISIT SOUTHWEST ASIA

In June, FVAP Director Polli Brunelli joined The Honorable Thomas F.

Hall, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, and LTC Robert Henderson, Voting Assistance Officer for Central Command in a visit to Kuwait and Iraq.  The visitors were briefed on the Voting Assistance Programs in place for service members stationed in the area.  Units in the region have taken a number of steps to provide information on registration and absentee ballots down to the unit level so members have time to request, receive, and vote their ballot.

Their visit highlights the dynamic voting process in which extraordinary efforts have been devoted to preserve the right to vote for all deployed and assigned personnel serving in harms way. 

NEW ELECTRONIC VERSION OF 2008 MOTIVATIONAL POSTER

Many Voting Assistance Officers have requested a version of the 2008 Motivational Poster with an added space to include VAO contact information.  FVAP has made available for electronic distribution a PDF of this motivational poster with space for the VAO to write in their contact information.  This file is 8" by 10" and will print out on standard letter size paper (8 1/2" by 11"). This poster and the original version (without the label) may be downloaded from the FVAP website at www.fvap.gov, in the "Resources for Voting Assistance Officers" section.

REMINDER!

Voters should NOT mail their Federal Post Card Applications (FPCAs) or Federal Write-in Absentee Ballots (FWABs) to the Federal Voting Assistance Program.  Voters should check Chapter 3 of the 2008-2009 Voting Assistance Guide for the correct election official mailing addresses for their county, city, or municipality of residence in their state.  Addresses for local election officials are listed at the end of each state's instructions.

VOTING ASSISTANCE OFFICERS' "TO DO" THIS MONTH:

*  Plan your Armed Forces Voters Week (AFVW) activities.  Get the whole community involved and aim for 100% contact.

*  Contact your local commissary and exchange to organize voter outreach activities starting with AFVW and ending October 15 (last day of Absentee Voters Week).

* Use local resources such as Commander's bulletins, newspapers, radio and television stations to help you get the word out about voting.  Post motivational posters on bulletin boards in offices, commissaries and exchanges.

*  Take an inventory to ensure that you have adequate supplies of absentee voting materials (make sure that you have an ample supply of Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB, SF-186) for UOCAVA voters.

*  Check the FVAP website(www.fvap.gov) every month 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_Assistance.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
TOLL FREE: 1-800-438-VOTE (8683)
FAX: (703) 696-1352

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!