ARMED FORCES VOTERS WEEK CELEBRATED SEPTEMBER 3 -11, 2004

Commanders and Voting Assistance Officers (VAOs) are making preparations for Armed Forces Voters Week (AFVW), which begins September 3, 2004. A primary purpose of this week is to highlight that all citizens voting under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) who have not registered to vote or requested an absentee ballot this year, should do so at this time. This week is for use by commanders and VAOs to motivate and encourage all eligible citizens to focus on the remaining state primaries as well as participation in the November 2, 2004 general election. Activities scheduled during this week should include voting programs explaining the procedures required to register, if required, and how to obtain an absentee ballot from the citizen's jurisdiction of voting residence. VAOs should enlist the help of "on base" organizations to participate in AFVW. Organizations such as spouse clubs, family services, Boy/Girl Scouts and other groups can be effective venues for holding voter registration drives, informational forums and other activities which stress the importance of participating in the upcoming elections. Service Voting Action Plans (available from Service Voting Action Officers) and the August Voting Information News (found in the Publications and Forms section of our web site, www.fvap.gov), provide suggestions to citizens eligible to vote through motivational and educational addresses and briefings. VAOs are encouraged to contact installation newspaper editors and other internal media, including closed-circuit radio/TV and Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) program managers to provide daily bulletins and other announcements to promote activities for the week. VAOs should know that AFVW receives priority support from the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF). Commanding Officers and VAOs will develop comprehensive command-wide voting awareness and assistance programs and activities to include local events publicizing the upcoming election and focusing on the importance of voting during this week. VAOs should aim for 100 percent contact and availability of Federal Post Card Applications to all personnel. Emphasis should be made on the importance of early action on the part of the voter in order to obtain a ballot for the general election well in advance of election deadlines. Support by Senior Commanders is also critical for the success of AFVW. DoD Directive 1000.4 emphasizes continuing command support at all levels for the Voting Assistance Program. Commanders are to ensure availability of FPCAs by September 15 to personnel and family members within the U.S. and by August 15 to those outside the U.S. All overseas citizens should also be provided with a Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB, SF 186), which is stocked at overseas military installations and, under certain conditions, serves as a back up to the regular state absentee ballot (consult the 2004-05 Voting Assistance Guide for details on use of the FWAB). The FVAP can be contacted through the DoD Voting Information Center (VIC). Citizens may reach the VIC toll-free from 64 countries using the toll-free numbers listed on the FVAP website, www.fvap.gov, and on the inside back cover of the Guide. In the U.S. call toll-free at 1-800-438-VOTE (8683), local (703) 588-1584 or use DSN 425-1584. The VIC provides recorded messages from candidates, as well as other information concerning elections, 24 hours a day. Questions regarding the above may also be referred to the Director, Federal Voting Assistance Program, Department of Defense, 1155 Defense Pentagon, Washington DC 20301-1155. Additionally, the FVAP can be reached via e-mail at vote@fvap.ncr.gov .