Voting reps spread info on voting opportunities

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Matthew Hubby
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Team Dover volunteers have helped increase the flow of information regarding when and how to vote through the Federal Voting Assistance Program.

The FVAP was created under the Uniformed and Overseas Absentee Citizen Voting Act in 1986 to provide U.S. citizens worldwide with a broad range of information and assistance in their participation in the democratic process, regardless of where they live or work.

"This is a very important program, and I am very proud to be heading it this year," said John Murphy, 436th Airlift Wing historian. "The voting representatives are going around their squadrons and units to make sure that everyone gets their chance to vote in their state. It's an important process and one we can't afford to miss out on. Everyone deserves their voice to be heard even if they aren't in their home state."

The FVAP allows servicemembers to file an absentee ballot when their military duties take them out of their home of record state. If they are registered to vote absentee voters are given a special ballot which they fill out and mail back to their home state, to ensure their vote is counted. If they are not registered, they can send in a form that will register them and allow them to receive the ballot.

"My job as a voting representative is to provide the information and means to give everyone the opportunity to register and vote at their home of record," said Xan Salas, 436th Force Support Squadron arts & crafts director. "State and local governments are just as important as federal elections, and it's my job to make sure everyone gets a chance to have their voice heard."

Voting representatives provided information to enable servicemembers to put their votes out there, but they are not allowed to influence or intimidate voters in any way.

"We take our jobs very seriously, because it is important to us," said Mrs. Salas. "I have been a voting representative for several years, and every year people tell me their voice doesn't matter. I'm here to remind them that it does."