Although many American citizens are disenchanted with politics, don’t let it stop you from exercising your right to vote. It’s too important.
In 1986, the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act was passed. This made states legally required to allow military members and their eligible family to vote via absentee in federal elections.
You may be a military family if you have a home state of residence in one place, insurance in another, and a driver’s license somewhere else. This often typical scenario for military families can make it confusing to know where and how you can vote legally. Almost all military bases have resources in place to support voting but the federal government has a user friendly website to help you too.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) has a section specifically for the military voter. The first step is to know your state of legal residence is because that will determine where you are legally able to cast your vote. As most military families don’t typically reside in their legal state of residency, this means you’ll be most likely registering for an absentee ballot.
Your voting residence
This is determined by what you consider your permanent home and somewhere that you have had an actual physical presence. Thanks to the Military Spouse Residency Relief Act, things are much easier for military spouses. This act allows you to utilize your service members residency information, keep your existing residency, or allows you to establish a new one. Residency requirements won’t be the same in every state though, so make sure you research your states rules for this. There can also be certain tax implications if you switch states so if you are unsure, seek out legal counsel.
Starting the process
Once you’ve determined which state you can vote in, you are ready to go! One way to do all of this is to utilize the FVAP website by registering to vote and filling out your Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). By doing it through this website, it will ensure that your state gets you your ballot at least 45 days prior to the election. Best practice is to renew this card when the new year begins and anytime you move.
For those of you who may want to avoid utilizing technology, you can still go to the website to print out the application and mail it in. You can also visit your local Voting Assistance Office to get what you need and send it in.
Don’t miss your deadlines
It’s important that you pay attention to the deadlines that are given on the website. This will determine if your vote will count. There have been instances where states did not send the absentee ballots out in time. By knowing your dates and having your states contact information for voting readily available, you can avoid this issue. To make things even easier, the FVAP website allows you to subscribe to their voter news and alerts. You can also check out the 2020 calendar provided by the FVAP which will give you the important dates for your voting state.
If you didn’t receive your absentee ballot, don’t fret! The FVAP has a backup plan with the Federal Write In Absentee Ballot. You can click here, fill out the form print and sign and send it off.
Get your confirmation
The great thing about utilizing the FVAP website is that you can actually check the status of your voted ballot when you receive and send in your absentee ballot! Although it’s not the same as standing in line and getting your “I Voted” sticker, it’s a nice alternative and confirmation that your voice was heard. You can also call down to your local election office and ask for confirmation as well, although as it gets closer to the election getting through to someone may be difficult.
For the vast majority of military spouses, the right to cast a vote has only existed for the last 50-100 years. Please don’t waste it.
**FVAP is a paid partner of Military Spouse