Do soldiers vote by mail
Yes, soldiers and other military personnel can vote by mail, also known as absentee voting. In the United States, the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) allows eligible voters to cast their ballots by mail or online.
Here's how it works:
- Eligibility: Military personnel, their spouses, and dependents who are U.S. citizens and at least 18 years old are eligible to vote absentee.
- Registration: Military personnel and their families can register to vote through the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) website or by contacting their local election office.
- Ballot request: Once registered, voters can request an absentee ballot by mail or online through the FVAP website. The request must be received by the voter's state or local election office by a certain deadline, usually 30-45 days before the election.
- Ballot receipt: The voter will receive an absentee ballot by mail, which they can complete and return by mail or online.
- Return: The completed ballot must be returned to the voter's state or local election office by the deadline, usually on or before Election Day.
The FVAP provides additional resources and assistance to help military personnel and their families vote absentee, including:
- A website (fvap.gov) where voters can register, request absentee ballots, and track the status of their ballots.
- A mobile app (FVAP Mobile) that allows voters to register, request absentee ballots, and track their ballots on-the-go.
- A toll-free hotline (1-800-438-VOTE) for voters to call with questions or concerns.
- A network of voting assistance officers (VAOs) stationed at military bases and other locations to provide in-person assistance to voters.
It's worth noting that some states may have additional requirements or deadlines for absentee voting, so it's essential for military personnel and their families to check with their state or local election office for specific information.