June 27 to July 5 is Armed Forces Voter Week.
With the general election right around the corner on November 8 now is the time to register to vote absentee by completing the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). You should register and request your ballot now to ensure you meet all the deadlines prior to the election. The FPCA acts as both a registration and absentee ballot request form.
Between place of birth, home of record, and various duty locations, military families may have a difficult time deciding where to register to vote. The basic answer is that it is up to the individual.
Many people claim their hometown or their state of permanent residence, while others want to vote locally or represent the area in which they own a home or plan to retire.
Voting requirements vary by state. Being informed and prepared is the key; knowing what is required for the district in which you plan to vote, how to request an absentee ballot, and when and how to return it to the election office are critical to the voting process. Certainly, if you are preparing to deploy or go to a remote location, you will need to be familiar with the absentee voting procedure.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program works with military members and overseas citizens to raise awareness and offer guidance on the registration and voting process.
You can fill out the FPCA online at http://www.fvap.gov, you must then print it out and mail it in to complete your voter registration.
You can also receive an FPCA from your Command Voting Assistance Officer. If you are unsure of the location of your local Voting Assistance Officer you may locate them at https://www.fvap.gov/info/contact/iva-offices.
Remember it’s your right, VOTE!
