FVAP Online Ballots Can Help U.S. Citizens Overseas Votes Count
By Karen Parrish, American Forces Press Service
 

For anxious voters, an alternative to mailed ballots is a few mouse-clicks away. New York and Illinois ballots - and those of 29 other states - are available online at the Federal Voting Assistance Program website. Image courtesy of http://www.fvap.gov

The Department of Defense (DoD) Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) has a solution for overseas service members and other U.S. citizens living outside the country who haven’t received an election ballot: get it online.

With Nov. 2 midterm elections just days away, Illinois and New York recently joined the list of states and territories the Justice Department has filed complaints against or investigated for irregularities regarding absentee ballots.

“Department of Justice is working with those states to remedy the situation,” Pentagon spokesman Marine Corps Col. Dave Lapan said. “Obviously, DoD interest is... making sure our troops stationed overseas are afforded their right to vote.”

For anxious voters, an alternative to mailed ballots is a few mouse-clicks away. New York and Illinois ballots - and those of 29 other states - are available online at the voting assistance program’s website, http://www.fvap.gov.

According to FVAP Director Bob Carey, New York has agreed to count all absentee ballots received by Nov. 24, but New York voters must mail those ballots by Nov. 1. “
They can go to FVAP.gov and download that ballot right now,” Carey said.

Some states allow ballots to be returned by fax or online, but the Military Postal Service will express-mail any ballots military members or their spouses submit from overseas, Carey added.

Additionally, voters from all 55 states and territories can use the FVAP online federal write-in absentee ballot automated assistant to vote for federal candidates.

Carey said the federal absentee ballot can be used for all jurisdictions’ federal-level elections.

“You can choose your federal candidates online,” he said. “It will print out the ballot with your choices already in there, and give you complete instructions including a pre-addressed envelope to send back to your local election officials.”

Visitors to the website click once to say whether they are military or civilian. Either answer leads them to an interactive map of the United States. Clicking on their home of record or state of most recent residence will lead to options of registering to vote or requesting or tracking a ballot. Each of these options leads to a state-specific page with instructions for voters on how to submit their absentee ballot.

The Federal Voting Assistance Program website also offers a reference center that provides answers to frequently asked questions, program contact information, and a chat option for voters who need more help.

“It’s not too late to get your absentee ballot,” Carey said. “You can get your ballot online today, and send it back, and it will get back in time to be counted.”