Voting While Overseas

By MC1 Kegan E. Kay, NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

Being stationed or deployed overseas can be both rewarding and challenging. Staying connected and informed regarding policies and issues back home can be one those challenges; however, even while overseas, U.S. citizens can make sure their voices are heard through absentee voting while overseas.

The Uniformed and Overseas Citizen Absentee Voting Act pertains to and safeguards voting rights for U.S. citizen who are 18 years or older and are active duty service members of the Uniformed Services, Merchant Marine, or commissioned corps of the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; their eligible family members; and U.S. citizen residing outside the United States.

According to the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP), the first step is to submit a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), which is a standardized application used across all states. The FPCA is used as both as a voter registration form and absentee ballot request form and will extend a person’s eligibility to receive a ballot for all federal elections for at least one calendar year.

Information regarding elections, both federal and state, are released to commands through the command Voting Assistance Officer(s) (VAO) who are responsible for ensuring all military members, U.S. citizens working overseas, and their dependents have all the tools necessary to exercise their right to vote. Their duties also include getting the word out and encouraging everyone to vote.

“We, as VAOs, cannot do it for you,” said Lt. Timothy Martin, Naval Air Station Sigonella VAO. “Everyone must be proactive to ensure they can vote. We are here to assist in any way we can, but only assist. We cannot fill out the forms for you.”

Which elections a person is eligible to vote in is based on their voting residence within their state of legal residence.

FVAP.gov describes voting residence as “the address that you consider your permanent home and where you had a physical presence. Your state of legal residence is used for state income tax purposes, determines eligibility to vote for federal and state elections and qualification for in-state tuition rates.”

“If you aren’t already registered, do it now,” encourages Martin. “I have put out that August 1st was the date to register by but it’s not too late. Register now or you will not be able to request an absentee ballot.” Ballot/FWAB

With the general elections right around the corner it is important to track your mail-in ballot and state and postal deadlines.

Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center (NAVSUP FLC) Sigonella recommends all personnel stationed in Italy to mail all absentee ballots by no later than Oct. 19, 2020 to ensure the ballot arrives back to the U.S. in time to be counted; however, some states have different deadlines, so it is important to know what your state’s requirements are.

If a person is worried about their absentee ballot not arriving in time to mail back by the deadline, a backup option is to use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) which is available on the FVAP.gov website. To use the FWAB, fill it in, review to make sure everything is correct, print it, sign it, and then mail it.

In the event that the absentee ballot arrives after having mailed the FWAB, FVAP.gov said to “complete and return it. If both the FWAB and state absentee ballot are received by the deadline, only one will be counted.”

When mailing the ballot, postage is not necessary if using the postage-paid template on FVAP.gov which van be printed on any available blank envelope. However, FVAP warns, "some states require you to place ballots and FWABs inside an anonymous security/secret envelope."

FVAP also suggests, “When sending your voting materials, make sure you have two envelopes; one for the ballot or FWAB and one for actual mailing. Place the security envelope along with the other balloting materials inside the mailing envelope.”

"Don't simply drop your absentee ballot 'in the mailbox,” said Joe Yanik, NAVSUP FLC Sigonella Public Affairs Officer. “Instead, bring it to your local military post office to receive a tracking number for in-transit visibility and delivery confirmation when it arrives at your local election offices.”

It is up to the individual to educate themselves on the issues and decide who they want to vote for, but for any problems or questions in regards to registering to vote, absentee ballots, or eligibility, then the command or sponsor’s command VAO is the person to contact.

FVAP.gov also has a Frequently Asked Questions page that may assist people with their questions.

"Go to FVAP.gov and select your state," explains Martin. "Every question you have can be answered there and if you need assistance reach out to [the VAOs]."