The interest of Russian officials in the overseas voting program of the United States demonstrates that the efforts of FVAP along with Voting Assistance Officers (VAOs) around the world have not gone unnoticed in the international community.
It was 1996. The US-Russian operations in the Implementation Force’s (IFOR’s) Task Force (TF) Eagle located in Bosnia provided the perfect common ground for the exchange of ideas between the two nations. This partnership, composed of the US-led TF Eagle and the separate Russian Airborne Brigade, allowed for the two former opposing nations to work together as a result of their strict professionalism and common strategic objectives.
In that summer, TF Eagle began its voting assistance effort to ensure that soldiers living overseas had the opportunity to register to vote in the November elections. The VAO set up a voter registration drive. Motivational posters were displayed in the TF Headquarters in order to make soldiers aware of their opportunity to vote. At the booth, soldiers were given the opportunity to complete the Federal Post Card Application to register and request their absentee ballot.
A Russian Liaison Officer (LNO), a lieutenant colonel and former Communist Party member, visited the booth and began to show a great deal of interest in the voting effort. The LNO showed particular interest in the Voting Assistance Guides. When asked jokingly by the VAO if the reading was interesting, the officer, in all seriousness replied, “yes”. He emphasized that all Russian officers should study this guide as well, and follow the American example so that they too can learn how to support their own voting program.
The interests of the official did not end there. In 1998 FVAP briefed election delegates from the Republic of Georgia and the Republic of Kazakhstan. FVAP provided information to the delegates pertaining to the Department of Defense’s absentee voting process as well as their voting program for military and overseas citizens. Georgia showed a special interest in the FVAP model for registration and voting for the military.
Clearly the efforts of one voting assistance officer had a positive impact not only on the American soldiers they were serving, but also managed to introduce to a developing democracy the benefits of the implementation of an overseas absentee voting program as well.
Though November ‘04 may still seem distant, as Navy Voting Assistance Representatives you should already be formulating plans for ensuring Sailors and their families will be ready to vote in the 2004 elections. As VAOs, the Navy is counting on you to set conditions that will motivate and empower every eligible Sailor and family member within your command to vote, and we will need your personal commitment and initiative to meet this goal.
The principal tools at your disposal are the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) and the Voting Assistance Guide. The standard FPCA form, accepted by all states and territories, can simultaneously request both registration and an absentee ballot, and is always available on-line at the FVAP Website at www.fvap.gov.
In past years, we have not always been as successful as we would like in proactively engaging 100 percent of our eligible personnel. Some of our folks, particularly our junior enlisted, have missed an opportunity to vote due to lack of information or adequate assistance. To alleviate this problem in the future, individual VAOs must personally ensure the delivery of the FPCA (SF-76) to all eligible command members, including sufficient forms to supply their eligible dependants.
Now is the time to start planning ahead. Be proactive. Engage your tenant commands with training and voting materials in advance of scheduled detachments and deployments, and in sufficient time to ensure proper voter registration and timely receipt of absentee ballots. Plan conservatively; allow for mailing delays and for the time required to get absentee ballots back home to state voting offices prior to voting deadlines. Encourage VAOs to make voter education and registration a formal part of the command check-in or indoctrination process.
There is no need to wait until the eve of an election to begin advocating for your program. Make voter registration an ongoing effort. See if you can utilize public affairs resources such as print ads or local stories in your command newspaper, family grams, and closed-circuit television programs to systematically build awareness. Be creative in getting the word out; launch voting registration drives and target specific audiences with historically low voting participation rates, such as first term Sailors.
Let your shipmates know who you are and how to contact you for guidance. Document your lessons learned, and we will share them with other VAOs. Be accurate and timely in meeting feedback and reporting requirements so that we can effectively document our efforts and ensure accountability, both internally and to Congress.
Further information and support for your efforts are available at http://www.persnet.navy.mil/nvap or you can contact my Navy Voting Assistance Program Action Officer, LT Brian Campbell at 1-800-368-5056 (Central Time) or e-mail: MILL_NavyVote@navy.mil We will make sure you have the tools and support you need to be successful.
The right to vote is a cherished freedom of all citizens. Exercising that right represents one of the cornerstones of responsible citizenship. Those of us serving our country are continually reminded more than most, of the value of this freedom. We should also be among the most zealous in exercising that right. Let’s make certain that our sailors and their families know how to make their voices heard.
What better time than the Fourth of July to bring voting to the forefront. The easiest way to do this is to post information about the Voting Assistance Program and materials and resources available to create awareness of the voting process.
Motivational Posters are a great way to remind people about their right to vote.
Many do not understand how to vote absentee or where to find help. If you are a VAO, let people know how to contact you for voting assistance and set aside time to assist them. You should also advise the installation/organization telephone operator of your voting program phone number so that you can be reached if a call comes in requesting voting information.
Don’t forget, FVAP is here to help you if you cannot find the help you need locally.
Chief Voting Action Officer: Jack Markey, tel: (202) 647-4937; fax: (202) 647-6201, e-mail: markeyjd@state.gov
Deputy Voting Action Officer: Bonita Harris, tel: (202) 647-5435; fax: (202) 647-6201, e-mail: HarrisB@state.gov
Dept. of the Army:
James Davis, tel: (703)325-4530 DSN: 221-4530; fax:(703) 325-4532 DSN fax: 221-4532; e-mail: davisj@hoffman.army.mil
World Wide Web: https://www.perscomonline.army.mil/tagd/pssd/psb/voting/votingindex.htm
Dept. of the Navy:
Lt Brian Campbell, tel: 1-800-368-5056, DSN: 882-4327; fax: (901) 874-2689,DSN fax: 882-2689;
e-mail: Mill_navyvote@persnet.navy.mil: World Wide Web: http://www.persnet.navy.mil/nvap
Dept. of the Air Force:
Lt. Col. Lee Shick, tel: (210) 565-3514, toll free: 1-800-558-1404 DSN: 665-3514 or 2572 fax: (210) 565-2543 DSN fax: 665-2543
e-mail: Lee. Shick@randolph.af.mil ; World Wide Web: http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/votefund/
Marine Corps:
GySgt Kenneth B. Warford, tel: (703) 784-9511, DSN: 278-9511; fax: (703) 784-9828, DSN fax: 278-9828;
e-mail: warfordkb@manpower.usmc.mil; World Wide Web: https://lnweb1.manpower.usmc.mil/manpower/mi/mra_ofct.nsf/mrp/Voting+Home
U.S. Coast Guard:
Ensign Steve Rodanhisler, tel: (202) 267-2005, fax: (202) 267-4823, attn: Lt. Luna; e-mail: srodenhisler@comdt.uscg.mil
World Wide Web: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-w/g-wp/g-wpm/g-wpm-1/VotingAssistance/Voting_Assistance.htm
All of the above can also be reached through the DoD Voting Information Center and the FVAP website.
Voting Information News provides information for citizens and Voting Assistance Officers and is published monthly by the FVAP.
Director: Polli Brunelli
Deputy Director: J. Scott Wiedmann
SERVE Program Manager:Carol Paquette
SERVE Technical Director: James Cunningham
Info. Systems & Services: Terrence Williams
IT Specialist:Maurice Howe
IT Specialist: Susan Leader
Program Analyst/Co VIN Editor: John Godley
Program Analyst: Betty Collins
Program Analyst: Brian Griffiths
Program Analyst/Co VIN Editor:Paul Mendez
Program Analyst: Elaine Perna Tucker
Program Analyst: Terry Wade
Presidential Management Intern: Jennifer Cole
Faculty Fellow: Dr. Ambrous Jacobs
Summer Intern: Bobby Flanders
Stay-In-School: Meghan Gordon
FEDERAL VOTING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
1155 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301-1155
PHONE:
(703) 588-1584
DSN 425-1584
FAX:
(703) 588-0108
DSN 425-0108
VOTING INFORMATION CENTER:
(703) 588-1343
DSN 425-1343
TOLL FREE:
1-800-438-VOTE (8683)
E-Mail:
vote@fvap.ncr.gov
We're on the Web!
www.fvap.gov