Training

VAO Training

To make sure you are prepared to assist voters we offer in-person workshops in even-numbered years for two different groups: VAOs (Voting Assistance Officer) in the Department of Defense and VAOs in the Department of State. The trainings cover VAO responsibilities, describe the absentee voting process, explain the resources available to conduct a successful voting assistance program, and how FVAP can help. The trainings explain how to help the voter complete the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) and the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB).

DoD Instruction 1000.04 requires all VAOs to complete either an FVAP/Service-provided workshop or the online training available below. Upon completion you will receive a certificate of completion that should be placed in your VAO continuity folder.

In-Person Workshops

FVAP workshops are held at military installations and U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide.

Training Modules

To help you perform your duties as a VAO, we provide online training for VAOs and Installation Voting Assistance Officers (IVAO), per DoDI 1000.04 Enclosure 4. Additional training is required for individuals working in an Installation Voter Assistance Office (IVA Office), as well as for military recruiters. The IVA Office Staff training is below and the recruiter training can be found on the Military Recruiter information page.

Guided online VAO and IVA Office training can be found using the link below. You will need an FVAP account to access the training.

If you DO NOT have a VAO or IVA Office Staff account and need to take training, use this version:

Ready to conduct training for your unit members?

How do you input metrics?

  • Check out the training webinar on how to input metrics here: Metrics Training Webinar.
  • A PDF of step-by-step instructions is also available here.