MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif.- --
The Installation Voting
Assistance Office and Federal Voting Assistance Program provide Marines, sailors
and family members accessibility to vote in upcoming elections.
“Our goal is to reach everyone
and simplify the voting process,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Ikaika Chaves, Installation
Voting Assistance Officer.
The program’s website,
www.fvap.gov, is an effective tool for voting registration and knowledge on voting
requirements for each service member’s home state.
“The website is very easy to
utilize,” Chaves said. “Sending your vote home is as simple as filling out a
federal postcard application, which is a request for a write-in ballot. When election
time comes, [FVAP] will mail you a write-in absentee ballot.”
According to Chaves, using mail-in
ballots is the most popular choice for service members to vote in elections
according to their legal residence. “You can print the post card application,
the write-in absentee ballot, and an envelope that will have pre-printed
postage, so you won’t have to pay for it.”
“If you wanted to go to the
polls, you would have to go back home to do it, which is why most service
members use absentee ballots,” added Chaves.
FVAP recommends registering
annually, in order to ensure an updated residential address.
“As a citizen, voting is your
duty,” Chaves said. “Do your research and study the candidates so you can make
an informed decision based off of your ideals and what you stand for.”
Chaves encourages service members
to contact their unit voting officers. Visit www.fvap.gov, or call
1-800-438-8683 to
have further questions answered.