Voting Assistance Program

The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) administers the federal responsibilities of the Presidential designee (Secretary of Defense), under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) of 1986. The Act covers more than six million potential voters.

The FVAP has three distinct goals. These are to:

1. Inform and educate U.S. citizens worldwide of their right to vote.
2. Foster voting participation.
3. Protect the integrity of, and simultaneously enhance, the electoral process at the Federal, State and local levels.

As a servicemember, you may think that it is not as easy for you to vote; but it is.

The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP)

The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) administers the federal responsibilities of the Presidential designee (Secretary of Defense), under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) of 1986. The Act covers more than six million potential voters, both military and civilian, who may not be able to physically get to the voting site in their legal residence.

As a servicemember or family member, all you have to do is fill out a Voter Registration/Abesentee Ballot Request form and Mail/FAX/or E-mail it to the State Election Board where you have legal residence.

In Maryland it is recommended that you register/request an absentee ballot in January of each year or at least 45 days before Election Day.

Q: When mailing a Voter Registration/Absentee Ballot Request form to my state, do I have to pay postage?

A: When mailed from any U.S. post office, U.S. embassy or consulate, or APO/FPO mail facility, the hardcopy form is postage- paid. The online version of the form must be mailed in our postage- paid envelope in order to receive free postage, or you may send it in an envelope with proper postage affixed. Ensure that your form is postmarked (see postmarking instructions below) and sent before your state's specific deadline. You must pay postage if the materials are mailed from a non- U.S. postal facility.

Q: What is a postmark and how do I make sure I get one?

A: A postmark is a postal marking made on a piece of mail indicating the date and time that the item was delivered into the care of the postal service. Postmarks are used to determine if voting materials have met state deadlines. Due to varying mail pick up times, the day you "mail" your election mail may not be the day the postal facility postmarks it.

You may ask the mail clerk to hand stamp the election material so that a date is clearly visible. In certain situations a hand-written postmark and signature from you or a notarizing official may be sufficient.

Q: When is the best time to apply for an absentee ballot?

A: We recommend that you register/request an absentee ballot in January of each year or at least 45 days before Election Day.

Q: Must I submit a separate application for each election?

A: The Voter Registration/Absentee Ballot Request form registers you for the next two regularly scheduled federal elections, unless you specify otherwise in Block 6. Depending on your state of residence, you may also receive ballots for State and local offices during the selected period as well. We recommend that each voter submit a Voter Registration/Absentee Ballot Request form in January of each year and again each time there is a change in the voter's mailing address.