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Armed Forces Voter’s Week is here!

  • Published
  • By Major Christopher Jordan
  • 20th Fighter Wing
The 2016 Shaw Air Expo and open house, “Thunder Over the Midlands,” was only a few weeks ago and now everyone is preparing for Independence Day. The 20th Fighter Wing is busy as usual.

Soon the summer will come to a close and the 20th FW is scheduled to hold the Air Force Ball. Before long, it will be November and the American people will elect a new commander in chief.

The Federal Voting Assistance Program works with military members and overseas citizens to raise awareness and offer guidance on the registration and voting process.

Between birth place and various duty locations, military families may have a difficult time deciding where to register to vote. The basic answer is that it is up to the individual.

Many people claim their hometown or their state of permanent residence, while others want to vote locally or represent the area in which they own a home or plan to retire.

Voting requirements vary by state. Being informed and prepared is the key; knowing what is required for the district in which you plan to vote, how to request an absentee ballot, and when and how to return it to the election office are critical to the voting process. Certainly, if you are preparing to deploy or go to a remote location, you will need to be familiar with the absentee voting procedure.

Armed Forces Voter’s Week is an outreach and awareness program held the week before Independence Day each election year. In 2016, the program is scheduled to run June 27 to July 5.

Representatives from the Voting Assistance Office, located in the Shaw Airman and Family Readiness Center, will be at several locations throughout the week distributing information and answering questions. All Defense Department identification cardholders, including dependents and retirees, are welcome to stop by the booths.

Look for representatives at the Exchange June 28, the commissary June 29 and the Freedom Bash June 30.

It’s your right, VOTE!

For more information, please visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program website at www.fvap.gov.