Election Tips from FVAP for October 1, 2010

Voting Assistance Officers and Local Election Officials - Make Time for Voters: The November 2nd general election is one month away. Ensure that all your voters know how to get in contact with you for absentee voting assistance. Set aside time to assist those with voting related questions. Don’t forget FVAP is here 24 hours a day to help you if you cannot find the information you need locally at 1-800-438-8683, DSN (312) 425-1584, or at vote@fvap.gov.

Make sure you remind voters of the deadlines for mailing ballots to their State and announce through local media outlets that voters should return their voted ballot immediately upon receiving it! Note that Mississippi and North Carolina require absentee ballots to arrive prior to Election Day! Individual ballot return deadlines can be found at www.fvap.gov or in your 2010-2011 Voting Assistance Guide.

To the extent possible, make computers and printers available to your voters so they may request, receive and return (when allowed by the State) their absentee ballots electronically.

Voters - Haven't Received Your State Ballot?

If you have not yet registered or requested your ballot, complete the Federal Postcard Application (FPCA) and immediately follow it up with a Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Contact your local election office if you do not receive your ballot in a timely manner and use our online FWAB tools to make sure your ballot is cast and received in time to be counted.

Did You Sponsor or Attend an Absentee Voting Week Event? Send pictures or success stories to FVAP. Contact FVAP 24/7 at 800.438.8683 or e-mail us at vote@fvap.gov.

Follow FVAP on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/DoDFVAP and Twitter http://twitter.com/FVAP.

Additional information

We want your feedback! If you would like more information on the Federal Voting Assistance Program or need help with the absentee voting process, please contact FVAP at www.fvap.gov , 1-800-438-8683, DSN (312) 425-1584, or at vote@fvap.gov. Toll-free phone numbers from 67 countries are listed at: www.fvap.gov/contact/tollfreephone.html.

Thank you for your continuing support of providing voting assistance to military service members, their families, and citizens residing outside the US.