Voting Assistance and Action Officers |
Federal Voting Assistance Program U.S. Department of Defense
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Each Federal department and agency with personnel covered by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) is required to have a Voting Assistance Program. Critical to the success of these programs are the Voting Assistance Officers (VAOs). These individuals, in military or civilian life, are responsible for providing accurate, non-partisan voting information and assistance to those citizens attempting to exercise their Constitutional right to vote. In fact, the knowledge and effectiveness of a VAO, combined with a thoroughly implemented voting assistance plan, may very well determine whether a person will, or will not understand how to vote.
The U.S. Military has an extensive Chain-of-Command support mechanism for its VAOs. In addition, the Department of State offers voting services through its Embassies and Consulates to all U.S. citizens outside the United States. At the same time, corporations and organizations with U.S. citizens overseas are strongly encouraged to designate and support Voting Assistance Officers.
The Department of State and the Military Services each has a Voting Action Officer who is the focal point of contact for assistance to Unit and Embassy/Consulate Voting Assistance Officers (VAOs) and citizens concerning unique questions and/or problems for UOCAVA citizens. Voting Action Officers are accessible by e-mail. See addresses below.
Voting Action Officers can be reached, as follows:
Department of the Army:
Voting Action Officer: Alton Perry
tel: (703) 325-4530, DSN 221-4530
fax: (703) 325-4532, DSN: 221-4532
e-mail: alton.c.perry@conus.army.mil
World Wide Web: https://www.hrc.army.mil/site/Active/TAGD/pssd/psb/votingindex.htm
Department of the Navy:
Voting Action Officer: LT. Jason E. Watkins
tel: (901) 874-4634, 1-866-827-5672, Option 6
fax: (901) 874-6844, DSN 882-6844
e-mail: vote@navy.mil
www.cni.navy.mil/cnic_hq_site/BaseSupport/CommandStaff/NavyVotingProgram/index.htm
Department of the Air Force:
Voting Action Officer: Mr. Gilbert D. Harrison
tel: (210) 565-5000, DSN: 665-5000
toll free: 1-800 616-3775 (Select options 1, then 1, then 2 from menu)
fax: (210) 565-2543, DSN fax: 665-2543
e-mail: afpc/dpffofvotefund@randolph.af.mil
World Wide Web:
www.afcrossroads.com/VoteFund/Vote/default.htm
OR
ask.afpc.randolph.af.mil/ (press tab "MSS Support")
United States Marine Corps:
Voting Action Officer: Mr. David James
tel: (703) 784-9511, DSN: 278-9511
fax: (703) 784-9828, DSN: 278-9828
e-mail: mra.voting.officer@usmc.mil
World Wide Web: www.manpower.usmc.mil/voting
United States Coast Guard:
Voting Action Officer: LTJG Frank Marcheski
tel: (202) 475-5368
fax: (202) 475-5927
e-mail: Frank.A.Marcheski@uscg.mil
World Wide Web: www.uscg.mil/hq/g-w/g-wp/g-wpm/g-wpm-1/VotingAssistance/Voting_Assistance.htm
Department of State:
Chief Voting Action Officer: Jack Markey
tel: (202) 736-4937
Assistant Voting Action Officer: Elizabeth Gracon
tel: (202) 647-6129
Office of American Citizens Services
email: votinginfo@state.gov
fax: (202) 647-6201
World Wide Web: travel.state.gov/law/info/info_2964.html
Last updated/reviewed: April 28, 2008