Federal Voting Assistance Program
2012 ELECTION VOTING ASSISTANCE TIPS OFF AT CARRIER CLASSIC
Voting registration and workshops in conjunction with basketball game onboard USS Carl Vinson
November 8, 2011 - Arlington, Va. - The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) is kicking off its 2012 Voting Assistance efforts in a big way this election season. FVAP will be a participating exhibitor at the Carrier Classic in San Diego this Veterans Day. The event is an NCAA Division I basketball game on the flight deck of the USS Carl Vinson which the President is scheduled to attend.
In the days leading up to the Nov. 11 matchup between North Carolina and Michigan State on the 1,092-foot, nuclear-powered carrier, FVAP will be traveling to four military installations in the San Diego area to train Voting Assistance Officers (VAOs): Naval Base Coronado, Naval Base San Diego, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
VAOs ensure that citizens covered by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act understand their voting rights and how to register and vote absentee. They provide accurate non-partisan voting information and assistance. The training covers VAO responsibilities, describes the absentee voting process, and the resources available to conduct a successful voting assistance program. The training explains how to assist others in completing the voter registration and ballot request form – the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) and how and when to use the back-up Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB).
The FVAP.gov Web Portal is Your 2012 Election Resource
We are ready for the voter! Everything you need this election season is available at FVAP.gov! At this web portal you’ll find FPCA and FWAB wizards, voter alert signup, RSS feed, social media, and more. Visit today!
On game day, FVAP staff will be manning a booth in the pavilion tent on the ship and on the pier to register military personnel and their spouses to vote. Installation and unit level Voting Assistance Officers and San Diego County Election Officials will be present to assist service members and their families engage in the electoral process. FVAP Deputy Director of Voter Assistance, Ken Warford, will be present to speak with attendees and onsite media.
If you’re one of the lucky 7,000 to land a ticket – or you have access to Naval Base Coronado in the San Diego Harbor – be sure to stop by the FVAP tent and complete your voter registration application – it only takes a few minutes. Or register today – go to FVAP.gov and submit your Federal Post Application (FPCA)! Yes, we know it’s only November 2011, but military and overseas voters should submit an FPCA now especially if you vote in a state with an early Presidential Primary – and again in January 2012 – to ensure they have the opportunity to vote in the upcoming 2012 State Primary Elections and the General Elections in 2012.
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If you'd like more information on the Federal Voting Assistance Program or need help with the absentee voting process please go to the www.FVAP.gov web portal or call the FVAP at 703-588-1584 (toll free 1-800-438-VOTE). Email the program at vote@fvap.gov. And don’t forget to “like” us Facebook at www.facebook.com/DoDFVAP and follow @FVAP on Twitter for election updates throughout 2012.
