The Department of the Air Force (DAF) Voting Assistance Program (VAP) 

Vote From Anywhere

GOALS

The Department of the Air Force (DAF) Voting Assistance Program (VAP) works to ensure Airmen, Guardians, 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.

VOTING BACKGROUND

The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) provides the legal basis for absentee voting requirements to U.S. citizens who are active members of the Uniformed Services, the Merchant Marine, the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, their eligible family members and United States citizens residing outside the country. 

The Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act (MOVE) amended UOCAVA and other statutes by providing greater protections for Service Members, their eligible family members, and other overseas citizens. Among other provisions, the MOVE Act requires Uniformed Services to establish voter assistance offices on military installations and outlines the responsibilities of the offices. 

The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) was created by the Department of Defense to administer the responsibilities of UOCAVA and to integrate recommendations made in the MOVE Act into Department of Defense Instruction 1000.04, Federal Voting Assistance Program.  Department of the Air Force (DAF) Instruction 36-3107, Voting Assistance Program, establishes policy and assigns roles and responsibilities for the development and implementation of Air Force voting functions in accordance with public law and Department of Defense guidance. 

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE (DAF) VOTING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (VAP)

The local Military & Family Readiness Center (M&FRC) serves as the Installation Voter Assistance (IVA) Office. The IVA Office provides Airmen, Guardians, their family members and all other voting age citizens with information and assistance on how to request an absentee ballot, vote absentee and change of address. These functions are accomplished using following forms: 

Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) allows you to request voter registration in your state of legal voting residence, request absentee ballots, and update your voter contact information. 

Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB) serves as a backup ballot if the requested absentee ballot is not received in time. 

To successfully vote absentee, UOCAVA citizens should: 

  • Allow sufficient time to request, receive, and return absentee ballot. 
  • Notify your election office each time your mailing address changes. 
  • Know your state's absentee voting deadlines and procedures to ensure your ballot is properly executed and counted. 
  • Complete a Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) if you do not receive your state absentee ballot in time to return it to your election office by the state deadline. 

National Voter Registration Form (NVRF) if you are not away from your voting residence, use the NVRF to register to vote, update registration information due to change of name, make a change of address or register with a political party. The NVRF form is maintained by the Election Assistance Commission https://www.eac.gov/ or https://www.eac.gov/voters/national-mail-voter-registration-form  

VOTING ASSISTANCE OFFICERS (VAO)

Installation Voting Assistance Officers (IVAOs)
M&FRC staff at the installation M&FRC serve as IVAOs and man the Installation Voter Assistance (IVA) office and provide access to the IVA Office information and assistance on procedures for registering to vote and updating voter registration information (e.g., change of address using). 
Unit Voting Assistance Officers (UVAOs)
Each Air Force unit is required to appoint UVAOs to provide unit personnel with voting information regarding their home state, election dates and absentee voting registration and procedures.

Points of Contact

Installation Voting Assistance Officers (IVAOs) at M&FRCs are available to provide information and assistance. IVA Offices can be found at IVA Office Contact Information People can access many voting related resources, questions, and answers on the FVAP website.

DAF Voting Assistance Program Manager (AFPC/DPFF)
Phone: 210-565-2034, DSN: 665-2034
Email: vote.USAF@us.af.mil

The appearance of external links on this site does not constitute official endorsement on behalf of the U.S. Air Force or Department of Defense.

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