Federal Voting Assistance Program helps you vote overseas

As Memorial Day BBQ plans materialized and the weather starts warming up, it’s hard not to notice that summer is nearly upon us — and with it, some big voting deadlines. Active Duty military personnel and their families know all too well that frequent deployments and PCS tempos can make voting a bit complicated. Enter the Federal Voting Assistance Program.

The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) supports uniformed service members, their families, and overseas citizens with absentee voting. FVAP’s main goal is to reduce obstacles to military and overseas absentee voting success — it’s a one-stop shop for state and federal election dates and guidelines, local primaries, voter registration, and even the status of your voted ballot. And they genuinely want to make things easy for you.

From guides to voting with an absentee ballot, to general voting assistance guides, or even becoming a Voting Assistance Officer — FVAP has resources to help ensure that military and overseas citizens can vote wherever they are (seriously, wherever — which can often mean adding on ballot transportation through a half dozen extra mail hubs so it pays to get started early).

FVAP works year-round (and between voting cycles) to promote awareness of voting resources not only for those working and living away from home, but also those who register and vote in their local jurisdictions. Their user-friendly webpage and mindful customer service reflect their values — voting is a critical foundation of our government and our freedom, which is why, on March 7, 2021, the President signed Executive Order 14019, “Promoting Access to Voting.” FVAP does that and more.

So as you enjoy awesome beach weather and fireworks, just remember that absentee voting deadlines start in the summer — register and request a ballot by August 1! And for any other voting questions, check out FVAP.gov or better yet, sign up for regular email reminders so you don’t miss any deadlines.