Does the military vote by mail
In the United States, the military and overseas voters have the option to vote by mail, also known as absentee voting, through the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP). This program is designed to ensure that military personnel, their families, and overseas citizens can exercise their right to vote in federal elections.
Here's how it works:
- Registration: Military personnel and their families can register to vote through the FVAP website or by filling out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). This application serves as both a voter registration application and a request for an absentee ballot.
- Ballot Request: Once registered, voters can request an absentee ballot by submitting the FPCA or by using the FVAP's online assistant, the Voting Assistance Guide (VAG).
- Ballot Delivery: The FVAP will send the absentee ballot to the voter's mailing address, usually by email or fax.
- Voting: The voter completes the ballot and returns it to the FVAP by mail, fax, or email.
- Counting: The FVAP will count the ballots and transmit the results to the relevant state or local election officials.
The FVAP provides several benefits to military and overseas voters, including:
- Convenience: Voting by mail allows voters to cast their ballots from anywhere in the world, at any time.
- Accessibility: The FVAP provides voting assistance and resources to help voters navigate the voting process.
- Security: The FVAP uses secure methods to transmit and count ballots.
It's worth noting that some states may have additional requirements or restrictions for military and overseas voters, so it's essential for voters to check with their state's election office for specific information.