Preparing Airmen to vote from around the world

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Xander Cignarale, 47th Communications Squadron unit voting assistance officer, listens as his role is explained to him during a voting assistance workshop at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, Jan. 23, 2024. This workshop provided Airmen with the resources they need to help guide other Airmen through their questions during this election cycle. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Larsen)

Preparing Airmen to vote from around the world

Brian Griffiths, Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) senior program analyst, explains the significance of the upcoming election cycle at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, Jan. 23, 2024. Voting in elections is the bedrock of selecting future leaders for the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Larsen)

Preparing Airmen to vote from around the world

Brian Griffiths, Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) senior program analyst, explains the role of a Unit Voting Assistant Officer (UVAO) to Airmen at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, Jan. 23, 2024. UVAOs are the first point of contact for Airmen and their families who have questions about the voting process and can provide the resources to help guide them. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Larsen)

Preparing Airmen to vote from around the world

Briana Paul, Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) senior program analyst, reviews the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB) details at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, Jan. 23, 2024. The FWAB allows service members and overseas civilians to vote in elections at their legal residence. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Larsen)

Preparing Airmen to vote from around the world

Published Jan. 30, 2024
By Staff Sgt. Nicholas Larsen
47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- U.S. Air Force Airmen assembled to learn about their roles as Voting Assistance Officers (VAO) in the Anderson Hall auditorium, Jan. 23, 2024.

With the 2024 voting season approaching, there are plenty of resources available to assist Airmen and their voting needs.

“Everybody has a right and a responsibility to vote as an American citizen,” said Brian Griffiths, Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) senior program analyst. “For military voters, spouses and independents who accompany them in their duty station, it is harder because they are voting by absentee ballot. The FVAP office exists to facilitate that process and make it easier for military voters and their spouses to vote, if they choose to do so, from anywhere around the world.”

The right for military members to vote is protected by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizen Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) of 1986. The UOCAVA ensures that military members and their families can vote by submitting a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) and a Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB).

The easiest way to find and receive information about the FPCA and the FWAB is to visit FVAP.gov, which also contains information about elections in every state, how to register, and the ability to request a ballot for your elections.

If an Airman or spouse has further questions about the voting process, they can contact their VAO. Every base has several representatives, some assigned to units and one or two assigned to the whole installation.

“Airmen PCS a lot and it may be a struggle to know if they are registered to vote or not,” said Anthony Williams, 47th Flying Training Wing installation voting representative, “We help Airmen understand the processes they need to go through to get their ballot in time to vote.”

With every state having its own rules in regards to voting, the process of casting an absentee ballot may seem like a daunting task.

The FVAP gives Airmen and their families the tools needed to have their voices heard, no matter where they are stationed.