Federal Voting Assistance Program

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Joshua Gifford
  • 341st Mission Support Group
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  The Federal Voting Assistance Program encourages military service members, their eligible family members and overseas citizens to submit a new Federal Post Card Application every January to ensure participation in upcoming federal elections. 

The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act states that any service member, eligible family member or overseas citizen may be eligible to vote absentee.  The FPCA, SF-76, allows individuals to apply to register to vote, request an absentee ballot and/or update contact information with local election offices.  The FPCA is the primary method of communication between individuals and their election official.  The information provided on the form is all the local election office has to determine if individuals meet state voter registration requirements, which election materials to send, and where and how to send individuals a ballot.

Online assistance can also be found at FVAP.gov. The website offers information on completion of the form and provides a blank, fillable PDF.  Hardcopies of the form are also available at embassies, consulates and military bases around the world.

Once completed, individuals should print and sign the form before submitting to local election offices.  Contact information for offices can be found at FVAP.gov.  Individuals should also follow up with election officials to ensure their registration was received.

Voting is a personal choice, but for individuals wanting to vote, voting assistance is available to help provide tools and resources to successfully vote absentee.

For more information on FVAP or assistance with the absentee voting process, visit FVAP.gov; call FVAP at 1-800-438-8683, DSN 425-1584 in the continental United States, or 312-425-1584 outside the continental U.S.; or email vote@fvap.gov. Individuals can also contact unit or installation voting assistance officers for assistance during any step of the process.