FVAP simplifies voting

Photo By Lance Cpl. Kasey Peacock | Absentee ballots allow service members, civilian employees and their families to vote while stationed overseas.  

MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, UNITED STATES

11.24.2015

Story by Lance Cpl. Connor Hancock 

Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center

MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif.- When service members take an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States of America, they also vow to defend freedom and the right to vote. Voting is essential to maintaining our democratic republic and is accessible to service members through voting assistance programs.

The Installation Voting Assistance Office and Federal Voting Assistance Program provide Marines, sailors and family members accessibility to vote in upcoming elections.

“Our goal is to reach everyone and simplify the voting process,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Ikaika Chaves, Installation Voting Assistance Officer.

The program’s website, www.fvap.gov, is an effective tool for voting registration and knowledge on voting requirements for each service member’s home state.

“The website is very easy to utilize,” Chaves said. “Sending your vote home is as simple as filling out a federal postcard application, which registers you to vote and requests your absentee ballot. When election time comes, your state will mail you an absentee ballot.”

If you don't receive your ballot 30 days before the election, you can use the federal write-in absentee ballot available at fvap.gov.

According to Chaves, using mail-in ballots is the most popular choice for service members to vote in elections according to their legal residence. “You can print the post card application, the write-in absentee ballot, and an envelope that will have pre-printed postage, so you won’t have to pay for it.”

“If you wanted to go to the polls, you would have to go back home to do it, which is why most service members use absentee ballots,” added Chaves.

FVAP recommends registering annually, in order to ensure an updated residential address.

“As a citizen, voting is your duty,” Chaves said. “Do your research and study the candidates so you can make an informed decision based off of your ideals and what you stand for.”

Chaves encourages service members to contact their unit voting officers. Visit www.fvap.gov, or call 1-800-438-8683 to have further questions answered.

• Date Taken: 11.24.2015
• Date Posted: 11.24.2015 12:27
• Story ID: 182744
• Location: MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, US