Soldiers who vote could impact important issues

Photo By David Vergun | The primaries are already underway and the general election will be held Nov. 8, but it's not too late for Soldiers to participate and make their voices heard.  

FORT KNOX, KY, UNITED STATES

02.02.2016

Story by David Vergun       

Defense Media Activity - Army   

WASHINGTON - The primaries are already underway and the general election will be held Nov. 8, but it's not too late for Soldiers to participate and make their voices heard.

During this election season, the focus has been on the presidential race, but there are other important issues that will be decided in November as well, said Rachel Gilman, Army voting action officer, serving with U.S. Army Human Resources Command.

All 435 seats of the House of Representatives, 34 Senate seats and 14 governor races are in play this year, she said. Add to that referendums, initiatives, propositions and local issues like school boards and mayors that could have a big impact in communities, where Soldiers live or plan to live once they separate or retire.

WHERE TO GET ASSISTANCE

Fortunately, almost everything Soldiers need to vote, whether they're at home or deployed, can be found on the Federal Voting Assistance Program, or FVAP, website.

The site is easy to use, Gilman said. Simply click on the appropriate state and everything is there, from requesting ballots, return deadlines, absentee voting guidance, forms and other important information.

Some things like explanations of the local issues and candidate positions on issues might not be on that site, she said. They're most likely to be on state and county websites. The FVAP site has points of contact for state and local voting officials and websites.

If Soldiers still can't find what they need, such as acceptable forms of voter identification, Gilman encouraged them to see their unit voting assistance officer. Requirements vary by state. Additionally, there are installation voting assistance offices worldwide where help can be found.

BIGGEST PROBLEM

Procrastination is the biggest problem for voters not getting their votes counted, Gilman said.

She recommended that Soldiers register and request ballots now and return them as soon as possible. This is particularly important for Soldiers and their spouses stationed overseas, where mailing delays make procrastination even riskier, she said.

Gilman said the Army's goal is "to make it as easy for Soldiers to vote anywhere as if they were living and voting in their hometowns."

Voting is especially important for Soldiers, she added. "It's the freedom for which they're defending."

VOTING DATA

While voter trends and statistics are compiled, the Army and commanders do not track and do not have knowledge of who voted and who did not. That would be a Title 10 violation, she said.

While Gilman said she believes it's important for Soldiers to vote, she added the decision whether or not to vote "is a very personal choice."

FVAP's "2014 Post-Election Report to Congress," published military and civilian voting data, controlling for age and gender between the two groups.

The report noted that in the 2014 mid-term election, 70 percent of active-duty military registered to vote, compared to 65 percent of civilian voters who were eligible.

Broken down by service, the Coast Guard had the highest voter registration in 2014 at 79 percent. The other services were:

- Air Force, 73 percent
- Navy, 70 percent
- Army, 69 percent
- Marine Corps, 65 percent

Reports for this year's election cycle are still being compiled, but Gilman said voter turnout in a presidential election year is usually greater than during a mid-term or off-year cycle.

The report also notes why seeking help from the FVAP website or unit voting officer is so important. Of all active-duty military who needed assistance and reported seeking assistance with their 2014 absentee ballot, 81 percent returned their absentee ballot and successfully voted. Those needing but not seeking assistance only returned 46 percent of their ballots, she said.

• Date Taken: 02.02.2016
• Date Posted: 02.03.2016 10:38
• Story ID: 187778
• Location: FORT KNOX, KY, US