The Air Force Voting Assistance Program (AFVAP) works to ensure Airmen, 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.

The local Airman & Family Readiness Center (A&FRC) serves as the Installation Voter Assistance (IVA) Office. The IVA Office provides uniformed service members, their family members and overseas citizens with information and assistance on how to request an absentee ballot and vote absentee. These functions are accomplished through the use of two forms:

• Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), which serves as a request for registration and a request for an absentee ballot; and
• Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB), which serves as a backup in the event an official absentee ballot is not received.

Installation Voting Assistance Officers (IVAOs) at the A&FRC also provide civilians with access to the IVA Office information and assistance on procedures for registering to vote and updating voter registration information (e.g., change of address). This is accomplished by completing the National Mail Voter Registration Form (NVRF).

In addition to IVAOs, each Air Force unit is required to appoint Unit Voting Assistance Officers (UVAOs) to provide unit personnel with voting information regarding their home state, election dates and absentee voting registration and procedures. 

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

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. 

Air Force 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.