
TheFederal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) administers the Federal
responsibilities of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act
(UOCAVA). FVAP works to ensure Service members, their eligible family
members and overseas citizens are aware of their right to vote and have
the tools and resources to successfully do so - from anywhere in the world.
FVAP provides U.S. citizens worldwide a broad range of nonpartisan
information and assistance to facilitate their participation in voting -
regardless of where they work or live.
Unfortunately absentee voters still face unique challenges. FVAP
is continuously working to combat those challenges by improving the voter’s experience,
providing greater support to election officials, and fostering relationships
with stakeholders.
FVAP.gov provides many tools to
support the absentee voting process, including online assistants to quickly and
accurately fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) and Federal
Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB).
The FPCA is a form used by UOCAVA citizens to register to vote
and request absentee ballots.
The FWAB is a back-up write-in ballot UOCAVA voters can use if
they’ve made a timely application for, but haven’t received, their regular
State ballot. FVAP recommends voters use the FWAB 30 days prior to the
election. If after submitting the FWAB the voter receives the State
absentee ballot, he/she should vote and return it. If both ballots are received
by the deadline, only the State ballot will be counted.
FVAP encourages Americans who are eligible to vote to complete a
new Federal Post Card Application (FCPA) annually and with every change
of mailing address. The length of time the ballot request is valid varies by
State, so submitting a new FPCA in the New Year will ensure that you receive an
absentee ballot for each election in which you are eligible to vote.
The information you provide on the FPCA allows your local
election official to reach you. If you have moved, complete a new form to
make sure they have the correct address and contact information.
Where can you get an FPCA?
· A digital PDF
can be found online at FVAP.gov, and there is an automated tool to walk you
through completing it.
· Hardcopies of
the form are available at all military installations and U.S. embassies and
consulates worldwide.
When filling out an FCPA, remember the following details so that
your form can be processed correctly:
· Write legibly.
· Remember to
sign and date the form before mailing it to your local election office.
· Submit your
FCPA in a manner in accordance with State law. (You can find your State’s
requirements at FVAP.gov/FCPA.)
· Submit the
form before the registration or request deadline.
Numerous absentee voting failures occurred in the ballot
delivery process due to late or no ballot arrival to the overseas voter, late
ballot return to the United States or an inaccurate completion. They want to
help solve these problems by promoting early registration and absentee ballot
requests, and successful completion of voted ballots. Together we will help
ensure military and overseas citizen voters who want to vote are able to
successfully exercise their most fundamental right - from anywhere in the
world.
To learn even more about FVAP, please visit www.FVAP.gov.
I am a voluntary member of FVAP’s
Blogger Network and am not compensated for my posts. The thoughts
presented here are my own and do not reflect the opinions of FVAP or any of its
representatives.
FVAP, a nonpartisan Department of Defense component, helps military and overseas citizens register to vote and request absentee ballots from anywhere in the world.
FVAP, a nonpartisan Department of Defense component, helps military and overseas citizens register to vote and request absentee ballots from anywhere in the world.
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