Voting assistance available for absentee voters

 
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. – Elections have begun and the Federal Voting Assistance Program here has geared up to help military and U.S. citizens to register to vote.

The FVAP can help people request their ballots for absentee voting in their states’ primaries during the next few months and the general election Nov. 6.

The 2012-13 voting cycle motto is, “It’s a freedom that you defend – vote!”  This is the message given by Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. Norton Schwartz in a recent public service announcement viewable on the Air Force homepage at http://www.af.mil/news/video/index.asp.

“Military members do register to vote at a higher rate than the general population, but we run into trouble when we wait too long to request or return our ballots to our local election officials,” said Air Force Voting Action Officer, William D’Avanzo. “It’s important for voters to send in their Federal Post Card Application well in advance of an election—preferably a minimum of 90 days beforehand.”

Nellis and Creech AFB Installation Voting Assistance Officers, Capt. Michael Bosack and Capt. Ashley Snyder lead the Installation Voter Assistance Office located next to the tax center in Bldg. 625.

“We’re set up to assist voters registering to vote, requesting their ballots and even sending in a back-up Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot in case their state doesn’t get their ballot back to them in time.”  Snyder said.“Squadron members don’t even have to leave their units. We have unit voting assistance officers who can walk voters in their squadrons through the process to exercise their right to vote.”

Voters unable to get to their local IVAO or UVAO for help can go to the FVAP website to get automated post card applications and absentee ballot creations at http://www.fvap.gov and click on the appropriate link in the, “Quick Links” area at the bottom of the page.

Voters looking for their local IVAOs can also use the, “Quick Links” area by clicking on, “Locate a Voting Office Near You.”

For more information on the Federal Voting Assistance Program, visit their website at http://www.fvap.gov.

For more information, call Captain Ashley Snyder at (720) 352-9147 or e-mail ashley.snyder@nellis.af.mil.