Directives and Guidance

Directives and Guidelines for Voting Assistance Officers

As a Voting Assistance Officer (VAO), you provide accurate, nonpartisan voting information and assistance to ensure military and overseas voters understand their voting rights, how to register and apply for an absentee ballot, and how to return their absentee ballot successfully. VAOs may be members of the Uniformed Services, civilians, or members of overseas U.S. citizen organizations. The following directives and guidelines can help you in the execution of your duties.

Department of Defense (DoD) Instruction 1000.04, Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP)

This DoD Instruction defines FVAP's responsibilities and provides direction to DoD components and other Federal agencies in carrying out their responsibilities under the law. To view the Instruction in its entirety, go to DoD Instruction 1000.04.