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VOTING NEWS INFORMATION - June 2004
Embassy of the United States of America, Manila
American Citizens Services
A roundup of voting news from the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) For voters, potential voters and those who assist voters.
Issue Highlights: :
Don't Just Take a Stand, Act! The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) is excited to announce that the Register and Vote 2004 Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign is now “on the air”. TV and radio PSAs have been distributed to major commercial media outlets nationwide as well as to Armed Forces Radio & Television Service (AFRTS) for distribution through Department of Defense outlets. The Register and Vote 2004 Campaign has been produced by the FVAP in cooperation with The Advertising Council.
The television, radio and outdoor PSAs for Register and Vote 2004 illustrate that voting is a simple thing to do, yet very powerful. The ads feature real-life scenarios and actions, which highlight the potential for one person's action to make a difference. Each ad ends with the tag line “Don't just take a stand, act!” The ads conclude by directing viewers to www.registerandvote2004.org for more information on how to register to vote in their state.
The primary objective of the campaign is to motivate citizen participation in the 2004 primary elections as well as in the general election on November 2, 2004. It has also been designed to appeal particularly to younger citizens, the group with the lowest rate of voting participation in the country. Register and Vote 2004 hopes to show 18-24 year-olds that voting is a simple, yet powerful thing to do.
The Web site provides fun, interactive features such as “Spin the Speech”, a game which allows visitors to fill in the blanks of a mock campaign speech or presidential debate, much like the word game MadLibs®. The “I'm a Voter” feature highlights real young voters from the 18-24 year-old audience who visit the Web site and includes interesting details about them and why voting is a part of their lives. The site also features the TV and radio PSAs, which can be viewed and listened to from their personal computer.
We encourage Voting Assistance Officers to utilize the Get Out the Vote campaign and PSAs. They can be an excellent resource when planning voter registration drives and other voter outreach efforts to help encourage participation. We are very excited about this year's Get Out the Vote Ad Campaign and especially the www.registerandvote2004.org Website. For further details please e-mail the FVAP at vote@fvap.ncr.gov.
* A blog is a journal on the web used for posting thoughts, sharing information and interacting with other users
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Voting Assistance Officers "To Do" This Month:
- Celebrate Overseas Citizens Voters Week July 4 to July 10, 2004. Make in-hand distribution of the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to as many people as possible during this week. See “General Election is Nearing” article below for more information.
- Encourage all citizens to participate in the Democratic Process. Stress early action to ensure registration and participation in the November 2nd general election.
- Encourage participation in state primary elections. An updated list of primary elections is available on the FVAP website at http://www.fvap.gov/pubs/primarycal.html .
- Visit the FVAP's website at www.fvap.gov often for up-to-date information and materials.
- Ensure your continued receipt of the Voting Information News (VIN) newsletter and the Voting News Releases. Notify FVAP if your e-mail address and/or mailing address has changed. These publications are also available on-line at the FVAP Website www.fvap.gov (Select Publications and Forms )
- Immediately disseminate News releases. They relay critical, time-sensitive information on special and run-off elections, as well as primary election date changes.
- Post notices on bulletin boards and in high-traffic areas motivating people to register and vote. Include a point of contact name, telephone number and email address so that interested citizens will know how to contact you to obtain additional information or materials.
- Make sure the Embassy/Consulate or installation telephone operator is instructed to refer callers requiring voting assistance to you.
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General Election is Nearing - Use The Plan
On November 2, 2004, we will be electing a President and Vice President, 34 U.S. Senators, the entire House of Representatives and thirteen state Governors. There will also be thousands of other state and local office elections. Election laws differ from state to state, but most state election laws require the absentee ballot requests to be received at least 30 days before the general election. With Election Day so close there is not much time left.
The purpose of The Voting Action Plan is to implement the Federal functions of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) and administer the provisions of the Department of Defense (DoD) Directive 1000.4 . This directive was signed and distributed on April 14, 2004 by the Deputy Secretary of Defense, Mr. Paul Wolfowitz.
The purpose of The Voting Action Plan is to implement the Federal functions of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) and administer the provisions of DoD Directive 1000.4 . This directive was signed and distributed on April 14, 2004 by the Deputy Secretary of Defense, Mr. Paul Wolfowitz signed and distributed the DoD Directive 1000.4 .
In addition, The Plan disseminates information and guidance, and coordinates tasks related to the Program. Basically, it is a plan of action issued by the Secretary of Defense that lays out a timeline for providing voting assistance.
The Plan is divided into four phases with the overall objective of being to ensure that all citizens covered under UOCAVA are provided the necessary support to participate in the Democratic process.
We are now in Phase II of this plan; one of the most critical times for voting assistance officers (VAO) and voters alike. Included in Phase II is the designation and celebration of two voter outreach campaigns:
“Overseas Citizens Voters Week” July 4 to July 10, 2004 and "Armed Forces Voters Week" September 3-11, 2004.
VAOs, do not wait to the end! Continue your voter outreach program and plan ahead. July 4 is only 121 days from the General Election. Armed Forces Voters Week is a time for VAOs to give the last push for those overseas voters that by then have not yet requested their ballots.
In addition, this year, FVAP has designated the week beginning Oct. 11, 2004 as Overseas Voting Week.
During this time VAOs are asked to announce through the various mediums of communication that voters should return their voted ballot immediately upon receiving it. Help dispel the myth that overseas absentee votes do not count! All properly executed ballots are counted. If by this time overseas voters have not received their regular state ballot they should use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Refer to Page 12 of the 2004-05 Voting Assistance Guide for requirements on completing the FWAB (also available on the FVAP website).
The objective of these campaigns is to promote voter outreach efforts worldwide. These events should help ensure that all citizens have been given a fair chance at receiving information on how to obtain an absentee ballot and return their voted ballot on time to meet the state deadlines.
Events held during these weeks should create excitement about voting. Examples of outreach efforts include disseminating voter information and registration forms, conducting voter registration drives and training workshops and providing general assistance to citizens. Local publicity campaigns, ranging from newspaper articles and posters to television and radio coverage, can inform voters when and where these events occur.
Remember - All FVAP materials are there for you to utilize and localize.
Events should emphasize the importance of registering and requesting an absentee ballot in sufficient time to allow citizens to receive, vote and return the voted ballot in time to meet state election deadlines.
VAOs should note that they cannot advise voters on specific candidates or issues and that all activities should be conducted on a nonpartisan basis . However they may refer these citizens to other information sources such as local, regional and national newspapers, information pamphlets from political parties, the DoD Voting Information Center, and the FVAP website www.fvap.gov (select State Election Sites).
The New Millennium Young Voters Project website at http://www.stateofthevote.org/ , hosted by the National Association of Secretaries of State, is another source for obtaining non-partisan information on candidates.
The FVAP Register and Vote 2004 Campaign has a website at www.registerandvote2004.org designed for US citizens, ages 18 through 24, to provide information on the democratic process and links to candidate information. See article “Don't Just Take a Stand, Act!” above.
These information outlets are excellent resources when planning voter registration drives and other voter outreach efforts to help encourage participation.
Independence Day celebrations at Embassies and Consulates are an excellent opportunity to motivate U.S. citizens worldwide to register and vote. Wherever possible, VAOs at Embassies and Consulates should include voter outreach events with July 4th celebrations.
VAOs should begin planning events now for Overseas Citizens Voters Week and Armed Forces Voters Week. Remind citizens to return their voted ballots as soon as they are received to allow sufficient transit time to their home state. It is especially critical that those citizens covered under UOCAVA who are unregistered and reside overseas submit the FPCA as soon as possible.
The 2004-05 Voting Action Plan will soon be signed and distributed to all DoD Components and other Executive Branch Agencies with employees or family members covered by the UOCAVA . VAOs are encouraged to use their organization's Voting Action Plan or the 2002-03 DoD Voting Action Plan found on the FVAP website at www.fvap.gov (select Voting Assistance Information). The 2004-05 Plan is basically the same except for dates and minor additions.
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Navy Best Practice - The NVAP Website
The Service Voting Action Officer (SVAO) for the Navy has added a new and powerful feature to their Navy Voting Assistance Program website at www.persnet.navy.mil/nvap. This website which is already considered a best practice, is an excellent example of using the Internet to communicate and expand the voter outreach programs.
This well structured and user friendly website provides navy Voting Assistance Officers (VAO) valuable information and tips throughout the election year, including monthly to-do items.
. The new feature is an online customer service website for VAOs. Command and Staff VAOs can register online to receive voting program assistance, best practices updates, fleet feedback, and VAO execution and reporting requirements directly from the Navy Voting Program Office. This is an important step in each command's effort to more effectively support sailors' -- and their families-- right to vote.
Navy VAOs can sign up by visiting: https://qol.persnet.navy.mil/voting. For additional instructions contact the Navy Voting Action Officer (contact information below).
Correction to May VIN:
North Carolina will hold a state primary election on July 20th. The Republican Party decided not to hold a Presidential primary and the Democratic Party held Presidential preference county caucuses on April 17, 2004 to select delegates to the Democratic National Convention.
Voting Action Officers
Department of State: Office of American Citizen Services
Chief Voting Action Officer: Jack Markey , tel: (202) 647-4937, fax: (202) 647-6201
e-mail: markeyjd@state.gov
Deputy Voting Action Officer: Bonita Harris , tel: (202) 647-5435, fax: (202) 647-6201
e-mail: HarrisBG@state.gov
Service Voting Action Officers
Dept. of the Army: James Davis
tel: (703)325-4530 DSN: 221-4530, fax:(703) 325-4532 DSN fax: 221-4532
e-mail: davisj@hoffman.army.mil
World Wide Web: https://www.perscomonline.army.mil/tagd/pssd/psb/voting/votingindex.htm
Dept. of the Navy: LCDR Mark A. Lofton, USN
tel: (901) 874-4606, DSN: 882-4606, 1-800-368-5056, fax: (901) 874-2689, DSN fax: 882-2689
e-mail: Mill_NavyVote@navy.mil World Wide Web: http://www.persnet.navy.mil/nvap
Dept. of the Air Force: Lt. Col. Lee Shick
tel: (210) 565-2338 (Assistant: MSgt. Julie Schlip), 1-866-229-7074 (select option 4, then 6 from menu), DSN: 665-2338, fax: (210) 565-2543, DSN fax: 665-2543
e-mail: afpc/dpsfvotingpgmdlist@randolph.af.mil
World Wide Web: http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/votefund/
Marine Corps: GySgt Kenneth B. Warford
tel: (703) 784-9511, DSN: 278-9511, fax: (703) 784-9828, DSN fax: 278-9828
e-mail: warfordkb@manpower.usmc.mil
World Wide Web: https://lnweb1.manpower.usmc.mil/manpower/mi/mra_ofct.nsf/mrp/Voting+Home
U.S. Coast Guard: YNCS Lori McNaught
tel: (202)267-1636, fax: (202) 267-4823 e-mail: LMcNaught@comdt.uscg.mil
World Wide Web: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-w/g-wp/g-wpm/g-wpm-1/VotingAssistance/Voting_Assistance.htm
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All of the above can also be reached through the DoD Voting Information Center and the FVAP website.
Federal Voting Assistance Program
Department of Defense
1155 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC
20301-1155
Phone:
(703) 588-1584
DSN 425-1584
Fax:
(703) 588-0108
DSN 425-0108
VOTING INFORMATION CENTER:
(703) 588-1343
DSN 425-1343
TOLL FREE:
1-800-438-VOTE (8683)
Visit our website for international toll-free phone and fax numbers.
E-Mail:
vote@fvap.ncr.gov
Website:
www.fvap.gov
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