On Nov. 6, the men and women of the United States will be pouring into poll booths to vote for their favorite candidates.

With voting day less than a month away, Marines are encouraged to do their part and vote.

“This is our country, a democratic country,” said Larry Ward, installation voting assistance officer, G-1. “We have a voice and if you don’t exercise it, you’re leaving it in the hands of everybody else that does vote.”

Service members are sworn to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. The right to vote is an amendment to the constitution.

“Voting is not only a civic duty but a personal responsibility as well,” Ward said. “Especially if you’re wearing a uniform, you’re out there on the pointy end of the spear, defending your and the rest of the country’s right to do that.”

Many Marines are stationed outside their home state or currently deployed. This does not take away their given right to vote.

Service members and their family members of legal age, outside the state of their home of record, can send in a Federal Post Card Application to their home state. The application requests an absentee ballet from their home state. The individuals mark their vote on the ballot and send it back to their respective states.

Marines overseas during election time can fill out the same form, the only difference is timing. It is recommended that service members who wish to vote during their deployment send in their ballots sooner rather than later to meet the deadline set 15 days prior to Election Day. This year’s deadline is Oct. 22.

Combat Center Marines can fill out an application through their unit voting officer, the installation voting assistance officer or through the federal voting assistance website: http://www.fvap.gov.

The FVAP website not only provides ballots for out of state Marines, but can help register first time voters.

With all the available ways to vote, there is no reason for any Marine not to have their voice heard.

“It’s been shown numerous times, even one vote can make a difference,” Ward said. “If you don’t vote and you don’t like who ends up in office, you don’t have a right to complain about it.”

To contact the Combat Center’s voting assistance officer or for more information about the FVAP and local polling areas visit www.29palms.marines.mil/staff/g1/VotingAssistance.aspx.