Election Tips from FVAP for October 8, 2010

Vote Your Ballot Today! Most States began sending ballots September 18th. If you have received it, vote it and send it in now! If you have not received your State ballot yet, use FVAP’s online ballot tools at www.fvap.gov to get your ballot. The FVAP funded Electronic Voting Support Wizard (EVSW) is a system of State-designed and operated absentee ballot delivery websites that allow voters to mark their full precinct-specific absentee ballots, and then print, sign and return based on methods allowed (mail, email, fax or online delivery system).

  • States with online blank ballot availability: Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Washington, and West Virginia. More information on how these States are participating can be seen on our Electronic Voting Systems Fact Sheet.

If your State’s ballot is not online, use FVAP’s automated assistant to complete a Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) to vote for Federal candidates. This is a backup ballot accepted by all States for voters who have requested but not received their State ballot. If you receive your State ballot after submitting the FWAB, vote and return it. If both ballots are received by the deadline, only the State ballot will be counted.

If you are serving in the military overseas, you and your family members can return your voted ballot by Express Mail for free. The Military Postal Service Agency is sending ballots from overseas military post offices using Express Mail Label 11 - DOD. You will get a tracking number to your ballot online at www.usps.com.

Haven’t Started the Voting Process Yet This Year? – It may not be too late!

There is still time to register to vote in more than 30 States and territories.

  • States that are still accepting registration: Alabama, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Guam, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin.

  • States where registration is not required: Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Utah.

Every State is still accepting ballot requests for the November Election! Act NOW to make sure that you will have an opportunity to make your vote count.

To register or request an absentee ballot use the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). It’s quick and easy. Go to www.fvap.gov and get started! Follow the prompts to register and request an absentee ballot for the November 2, 2010 election. Many States allow you to submit the FPCA by email or fax in addition to regular mail which will get your ballot on its way immediately. The instructions in your application package will tell you how you may submit the form.

All members of the U.S. Uniformed Services, their family members and citizens residing outside the U.S. - send your FPCA to your election office NOW to ensure that you have enough time to receive, vote, and return the ballot!

The 2010 Post Election Survey

For the November 2010 general election, FVAP will be conducting a Congressionally mandated post-election survey of citizens covered by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA). Six separate groups will be surveyed: Active Duty Military, Unit Voting Assistance Officers, Department of State Voting Assistance Officers, Military Spouses, Stateside Local Election Officials and Overseas U.S. Citizens. The survey will measure voter participation in the 2010 election among UOCAVA citizens and solicit their opinions regarding FVAP programs and activities.If you are selected as a survey participant, your participation will be critical so we can accurately assess your absentee voting experience and provide the best possible assistance to absentee voters. All responses will be strictly confidential, will be used solely by FVAP, and will not be shared with any other governmental agency.

Just a Phone Call Away: If you can’t find what you’re looking for remember that FVAP operates a 24 hour a day, 7 day a week call center. The call center makes voting information accessible to voters living in other time zones and ensures that all issues are addressed. Voters can call 1-800-438-VOTE, email vote@fvap.gov or choose the online chat option at www.fvap.gov to accommodate an easy flow of absentee voting assistance and information. If you are calling from overseas, use one of our 67 toll free phone numbers: http://www.fvap.gov/contact/tollfreephone.html.

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 in providing voting assistance to military service members, their families, and citizens residing outside the US.