Voting Bills

STAUS AS OF JUNE 10, 2009

H.R. 1604 , amended-Help America Vote Act of 2002 to allow all eligible voters to vote by mail in Federal elections (.Universal Right to Vote by Mail Act of 2009);

Sponsor: Rep Davis, Susan A. [CA-53] (introduced 3/19/2009)      Cosponsors (50)
Latest Major Action: 6/10/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 4 - 2.

_______________

H.R.1719IH To amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 and the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to promote the use of the Internet by State and local election officials in carrying out voter registration activities, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Lofgren, Zoe [CA-16] (introduced 3/25/2009)      Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 3/25/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.

______________________

H.R.2082 To amend the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act to require States to accept absentee ballots of overseas military and civilian voters which are submitted by the voter to a provider of express mail services not later than the day before the date of the election involved for transmission to the appropriate State election official, to require the Secretary of Defense to reimburse overseas military voters for the costs of using a provider of express mail services to transmit the ballot to the official, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Holt, Rush D. [NJ-12] (introduced 4/23/2009)      Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 4/23/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.

___________________

H.R. 2510, (To amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to reimburse States for the costs incurred in establishing a program to track and confirm the receipt of voted absentee ballots in elections for Federal office and make information on the receipt of such ballots available by means of online access, and for other purposes) Absentee Ballot Tract, Receive and Confirm Act

Latest Major Action: 6/10/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

;Rep Davis, Susan A. [CA-53] (introduced 5/20/2009)

____________________

H.R. 512, amended, Federal Election Integrity Act of 2009

To amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit certain State election administration officials from actively participating in electoral campaigns.

_________________

H.R. 2393, Military Voting Protection Act of 2008

To amend the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act to improve procedures for the collection and delivery of marked absentee ballots of absent overseas uniformed services voters, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep McCarthy, Kevin [CA-22] (introduced 5/13/2009)      Cosponsors (38)
Related Bills: S.1026
Latest Major Action: 6/10/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

_______________________________

MILITARY VOTING RIGHTS USA
"For Those Who Sacrifice The Most"
        www.MVRUSA.ORG

June 10, 2009
Contact:
Roman Buhler
202 255-5000
Info@MvrUSA.Org

HOUSE PANEL UNANIMOUSLY BACKS MILITARY VOTING RIGHTS BILL

Military Voting Rights USA praised the House Administration Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives for today unanimously approving the Military Voting Protection Act sponsored by Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Dan Boren (D-OK), and 32 other House co-sponsors.

"If this bill is enacted, military voters will be able to get their ballots express mailed home in 4 days, not 3 weeks" said Jessie Jane Duff, a 20 year U.S. Marine Corps veteran from the group Military Voting Rights USA.

Ms. Duff testified in favor of the bill on May 21, 2009 at the Committee on House Administration's Elections Subcommittee hearing on military voting.

"There is no reason military voters should not be able to cast their vote on the Friday before the election and know that it will be counted on Tuesday" said Ms. Duff.

"With four day instead of 3 Week ballot delivery time, turnout will increase and fewer military voters will be disenfranchised because their ballots arrive too late to be counted" said Ed Fitzmaurice, another leader of Military Voting Rights USA and a former U.S. Marine Corps piliot. Mr. Fitzmaurice served until recently as Chairman of the U.S. Government's National Mediation Board.

We hope that H.R. 2393 will be bought to the House floor for a vote in the near future" said Fitzmaurice.

Senator John Cornyn has introduced an identical bill S. 1026 in the U.S. Senate with 25 bipartisan co-sponsors.

Military Voting Rights USA is a national network of veterans and military voting rights advocates working to make it easier for military voters to participate in the elections process.

For more information please go to the Military Voting Rights USA website at www.MVRUSA.ORG.

May 13, 2009

# 21                                                                            November 14, 2008

2008 ELECTIONS NOT OVER:

GEORGIA TO HOLD RUNOFF ELECTION ON DECEMBER 2, 2008

Georgia will hold a runoff election for the following federal and statewide offices on December 2, 2008.

United States Senate Candidates:

Saxby Chambliss Republican

Jim Martin              Democrat

Public Service Commission Candidates, District 4- Northern:

Lauren W. McDonald Jr.  Republican

Jim Powell                      Democrat

Appeals Court Judge Candidates:

Sara Doyle              Non-Partisan

Mike Sheffield          Non-Partisan

REQUESTING YOUR BALLOT:

If you are registered to vote in Georgia but did not request a ballot for the November 4, 2008 general election, you may still vote in this runoff election.  You may download the application and submit it to your county registrar via mail, email (as an attachment), or fax.  You must have an absentee ballot request on file at the county registrar's office prior to your ballot being counted.  To request an absentee ballot, submit a completed Federal Post Card Application (Standard Form 76, FPCA), available with instructions at: http://fvap.gov/uniformed-service-members/request-registration-absentee-ballot/states/ga/index.html or from your unit Voting Assistance Officer (VAO), embassy, or consulate.   

RECEIVING YOUR BALLOT:

Georgia offers military and overseas voters the Statewide Write-In Absentee Ballot (SWAB) to use in the event of a runoff election involving federal and statewide offices. Voters who received an absentee ballot for the general election also received a SWAB, including all necessary envelopes and instructions. This ballot should be completed and sent back to the county registrar as soon as possible to meet important deadlines.   The SWAB and instructions can also be obtained at the Georgia Secretary of State’s website:  www.sos.georgia.gov/elections/uocava.

If you received a ballot for the November 4, 2008 general election, your county registrar will mail you an absentee ballot containing all federal, state, and local runoff races for which you are eligible to vote.  It is highly recommended that the SWAB be returned to the county registrar immediately, in case there is a delay receiving the general absentee ballot. If the county registrar receives both the absentee ballot and the SWAB by the deadline, the registrar will count the absentee ballot and not the SWAB.

Additionally, uniformed service members, their family members, and overseas citizens may use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (Standard Form 186, FWAB) to vote in this runoff election for only the U.S. Senate race.  You can get the FWAB from your unit VAO, embassy or consulate.  The online version of the FWAB and Georgia FWAB instructions are available at: http://www.fvap.gov/uniformed-service-members/fed-write-in-absentee-ballot/states/ga/index.html.  

RETURNING YOUR BALLOT:

All ballots must be returned by mail, postmarked by December 2, 2008 and received no later than December 5, 2008. 

VAOs should contact any Georgia voters they assist, inform them of this election, and provide help returning the absentee ballot. Citizens should vote and return ballots immediately upon receipt. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

For more information on candidates, elections, and voting, go to the Georgia Secretary of State website: http://sos.georgia.gov/elections/default.htm.

Questions may be referred to the Director, Federal Voting Assistance Program, Department of Defense, 1155 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC  20301-1155 or : vote@fvap.ncr.gov. Visit the FVAP website at www.fvap.gov.

VOTING INFORMATION NEWS
November 2008 * Vol. 18, No. 11
A roundup of voting news from the Federal Voting Assistance Program
(FVAP) for voters, potential voters and those who assist voters.


THE ELECTION IS UPON US
 
The following explains the three possible scenarios citizens face within
days of the elections and guidance for the VAO for assisting the
citizen:

Scenario 1. The citizen has received the state ballot:  Vote and return
it immediately!  When mailing the voted ballot, the citizen should ask
the mail clerk to hand stamp the ballot envelope so that a date is
clearly visible.  The dated postmark will help ensure that the Local
Election Official can make a proper determination of timely mailing.
Many states that allow late counting of ballots  require the ballot
envelope has been mailed on or before Election Day.  In addition, FVAP
recommends that the citizens always vote and return their regular state
absentee ballot, regardless of the day it is received, as long as it is
mailed by Election Day.

Scenario 2. The citizen has not received the requested ballot:  If the
citizen is a Uniformed Service voter or overseas and has requested the
absentee ballot, but has not received the regular state ballot, the
citizen may be qualified to use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot
(FWAB).  The citizen should obtain a FWAB now, vote it, fax it (if
allowed by the state) and mail it immediately!  The citizen can obtain
the FWAB from the Voting Assistance Officer (VAO), at a US Embassy or
Consulate or American organization overseas such as Democrats Abroad or
Republicans Abroad.

Important note:  If the citizen receives the state absentee ballot after
submitting the FWAB, he or she should vote and return the state ballot
up to and including Election Day.

The citizen should contact his or her VAO to determine registration
status and what options are provided by the state or county according to
the VAG and information obtained from the FVAP website.  Additionally
for many states, the citizen can check his or her registration status
online at http://www.fvap.gov/reference/links/index.html.

The VAO may email FVAP or the voter's local election official providing
the voter information (below) to obtain the status of the ballot.
Further steps will be determined at that point.

Information needed when emailing to vote@fvap.ncr.gov:
The Subject of the email should include the State name and a short
description of the problem (e.g. Voter from North Carolina has not
received Ballot).

The email should include as much of the following information as
possible:  The voter's full name, DOB, last four digits of the SSN, the
complete address in the county and state where he or she claims
residence, the county the FPCA was mailed to, the voter's fax number,
email address and phone number, and the address where the citizen asked
to mail the ballot.

Scenario 3. The citizen has not registered or requested an absentee
ballot:  In some states there may still be time for action.  The citizen
should contact the VAO to determine, using the VAG and the FVAP website,
if the registration is still open and what methods the state allows for
expediting FPCA and ballot delivery.

The citizen should obtain and complete an FPCA, fax or email it (if
state/county allows), and mail the hardcopy immediately to the LEO.  If
the state/county allows faxing and or emailing the blank and the voted
ballot, the citizen should request it on the FPCA and provide email and
fax numbers as required.



REMINDERS FOR THE UPCOMING ELECTION
 
Late Counting:  The following states allow extended counting of absentee
ballots for the November 4, 2008 general election:  Alaska, Arkansas,
District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland,
Massachusetts, Montana, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Texas,
Utah, Virgin Islands, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.  All
require the ballot to be voted and mailed no later than the day of the
election.  See the October issue of this newsletter, or visit
www.fvap.gov <http://www.fvap.gov/>  for State-by-State specific
requirements.

The Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) should be used if the
requested state absentee ballot has not arrived in time to allow the
voter to return it by the state deadline for counting.  If the voter has
yet to receive his or her state absentee ballot have them fill out and
mail in the FWAB now.  However, FVAP recommends that citizens always
vote and return their regular state absentee ballot, regardless of when
they receive it up to and including Election Day.  See the October issue
of this newsletter or the FVAP website for State-by-State Ballot Return
Deadlines.

Postmark:  When mailing your voted ballot, please ask the mail clerk to
hand stamp the ballot envelope so that a date is clearly visible.  The
dated postmark will help ensure that the Local Election Official can
make a proper determination of timely mailing.  Generally, if a state
allows late counting of ballots, the ballot envelope must have been
mailed on or before Election Day

Affidavit, Notary or Witness:  The following states require an
affidavit, notary or witness on the ballot return envelope for both the
state issued ballot and the FWAB:  Alabama, Alaska, Guam Louisiana,
North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Virginia and Wisconsin.
Refer to the State-by-State Instructions at www.fvap.gov
<http://www.fvap.gov/>  to determine if your state requires the voted
ballot to be postmarked.

Questions regarding absentee voting should be referred to your Voting
Assistance Officer or refer to the 2008-09 Voting Assistance Guide at
www.fvap.gov <http://www.fvap.gov/> .


FVAP WEBSITE
At times it may be difficult for VAOs to assist all unit members and
eligible family members one-on-one in completing the FPCA.  VAOs should
encourage voters to visit the FVAP website, www.fvap.gov.  Log on today
and you will find:

* Information on absentee voting, including a list of "Frequently Asked
Questions".

* The Voting Assistance Officer section gives you access to forms,
instructions on how to order materials, copies of current and past
newsletters, and much more.

* Links to state election sites where the citizen can read about
upcoming state elections and gain access to candidate information.  It
is another great way for them to stay informed with local issues.
Select the links section from the "Reference Center".

* Citizens can access our automated FPCA tool from the "Quick Links"
section on the home page.

* The online alternative version of the FPCA, which is accepted by all
states including the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Puerto Rico
and the Virgin Islands (Guam does not accept the OFPCA).  Citizens can
print it, fill it out, and mail it to their local election official.

* A list of international toll free phone and fax numbers to contact the
FVAP.

* Information on communicating with elected officials, including local,
state, and federal offices, and tips for telephoning or writing their
elected officials.

* Information for Armed Forces Recruiting Offices, including information
on the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) and voter registration
information for military recruiters.  Select Military Recruiter
Information from the "Reference Center".

* Links to the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, National
Governor's association, and many more. 
 


POST-ELECTION SURVEY HEADED YOUR WAY
 
Each Presidential election year, the Federal Voting Assistance Program
(FVAP) conducts surveys to determine voter participation in the
electoral process and to evaluate our program.  This survey is not the
same as the Election Day survey conducted by the U.S. Election
Assistance Commission.
 
There are six populations that make up the FVAP Post-Election Survey.
These include the following: Uniformed Services members, Federal
civilians overseas, non-Federal overseas citizens, Unit Voting
Assistance Officers, Department of State Voting Assistance Officers and
U.S. local election officials will receive surveys during the week of
November 2, 2008.
 
If you receive one of these surveys in the mail, we encourage you to
take a few minutes and fill out either the paper questionnaire or
respond via the Internet.  Instructions for Internet response will be
provided in the survey package.
 
Your participation in this survey can play a very important part in
improving the absentee voting process for Uniformed Service members and
U.S. citizens overseas.  We ask that you fill out and return the survey
as soon as you receive it.  If you have any questions or need any
assistance regarding the survey, please contact Ms. Erin St. Pierre at
1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or vote@fvap.ncr.gov.  The FVAP thanks you in
advance for your participation. 
 


STATE DEPARTMENT REACHES OUT TO VOTERS
 
* Weathering two hard rainstorms, Tokyo's ACS staff assisted more than
60 people register to vote during Community Friendship Day Celebration
hosted by the US Embassy in Tokyo for the American and local communities
at the Embassy Housing Compound.

* Embassy Amman has been providing voting assistance to the 20,000+
American Citizen resident and visitor community in this high interest
Presidential election year.

* Hong Kong has been reaching out to American students and Johannesburg
registered 50 new voters at their outreach event on July 4th.



RECENT NEWS
Arizona announced a new web-based voting system for overseas voters to
securely submit their voted ballots for the upcoming General Election.
More information can be found at www.azsos.gov  by clicking on the
"Military & Overseas Voter" icon.
 

VOTING ASSISTANCE OFFICERS "TO DO" LIST
* Remind citizens to vote and return any absentee ballots regardless of
when they receive it up to election day.
* International toll-free fax numbers are available at:
http://www.fvap.gov/contact/toll-free-fax/index.html.
* Visit www.fvap.gov <http://www.fvap.gov/>  more often to keep current
on news and updates for UOCAVA citizens.
Check the updates to the Voting Assistance Guide from the FVAP website
and ensure your hard copy of the Guide is up to date. 



 Voting Action Officers
Department of State: Office of Overseas Citizens Services
Chief VAO: Ms. Elizabeth Gracon (202) 736-4986, fax: (202)
647-6201, votinginfo@state.gov
Deputy VAO: Mr. Tyler Mason (202)647-6129, fax: (202) 647-6201
http://travel.state.gov/law/info/info_2964.html

Service Voting Action Officers
Army: Mr. Alton Perry (703) 325-4530, DSN: 221-4530, fax:
(703) 325-4532, DSN fax: 221-4532,
alton.c.perry@conus.army.mil,
https://www.hrc.army.mil/site/Active/TAGD/pssd/psb/votingindex.htm

Navy: LT Jason Watkins (901) 874-6647, DSN:  882-6647, fax:
(901) 874-6844,
DSN fax: 882-6844, vote@navy.mil,

https://www.cnic.navy.mil/cnic_hq_site/BaseSupport/CommandStaff/NavyVoti
ngProgram/index.htm

Air Force: Mr. Gilbert D. Harrison, Jr. (210) 565-5000, toll free:
1-800 616-3775 (Select options 1, then 1, then 2
from menu), DSN: 665-5000, fax: (210) 565-2543, DSN fax:
665-2543,
afpc/dpffofvotefund@randolph.af.mil,
http://www.afcrossroads.com/VoteFund/Vote/default.htm

Marine Corps: Mr. David E. James (703) 784-9511, DSN: 278-9511, fax:
(703) 784-9823, DSN fax: 278-9823,
mra.voting.officer@usmc.mil,

https://www.manpower.usmc.mil/pls/portal/url/page/m_ra_home/MR/Personnel
/Voting

Coast Guard: LTJG Frank Marcheski (202) 475-5382, fax: (202)
475-5927, Frank.A.Marcheski@uscg.mil

http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg1/cg122/PolicyStandards/Voting/default.asp
 
 
Links to the Services' websites are available at www.fvap.gov.
 

Federal Voting Assistance Program
Department of Defense
1155 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC  20301-1155

(703) 588-1584
DSN 425-1584
TOLL FREE: 1-800-438-VOTE (8683)

FAX: (703) 696-1352
DSN 426-1352

Visit our website for international toll-free phone and fax numbers.

Email: vote@fvap.ncr.gov

Comments or suggestions on this newsletter are welcome and appreciated.

Website:www.fvap.gov

Vote!

For Immediate Release:

September 17, 2008

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer’s

 Statement on Resolution

Supporting Voting Assistance Abroad 

WASHINGTON, DC – House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement concerning passage of H. Con. Res. 388 expressing the sense of Congress that the Department of Defense and the Federal Voting Assistance Program should take additional measures to ensure that U.S. citizens living abroad, including members of the Armed Services and their dependents, are provided with reasonable information on how to register to vote and vote in the 2008 general elections:

“In six weeks, Americans will go to the polls to cast ballots in what promises to be one of the closest and most consequential elections in U.S. history.

“In light of the importance of this year’s election, it is critical that every eligible voter, wherever he or she may live, be given an opportunity to cast a ballot, and have that ballot counted in an accurate and timely fashion.

“Unfortunately, for the 6 million eligible women and men living overseas, many of whom serve in our armed services and diplomatic posts, exercising the franchise presents unique obstacles.   Recent statistics show that less than 17 percent of these citizens participated in the 2006 election.   For tens of thousands of others who did vote, their ballots were rejected because they were received past the required deadline, according to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.  This is simply unacceptable.

“Today’s House passage of H. Con. Res. 388 sends a clear and unmistakable message to the Defense Department’s Federal Voting Assistance Program, the agency responsible for educating U.S. citizens worldwide of their right to vote and increasing their participation, that more needs to be done improve the voting process for all citizens living abroad.

“As a leader on election reform issues, I am pleased to have cosponsored this important resolution.”

Contact: Stacey Farnen Bernards 202-225-3130

Visit majorityleader.house.gov for more press, floor and member resources (202) 225-3130

110th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. CON. RES. 388

Expressing the sense of Congress that the Department of Defense and the Federal Voting Assistance Program should take certain additional and timely measures to ensure that members of the Armed Forces and their dependents are provided with reasonable information on how to register to vote and vote in the 2008 general elections.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 8, 2008

Mr. BLUNT (for himself, Mr. EHLERS, Mr. HUNTER, Mr. SMITH of Texas, Mr. COLE of Oklahoma, Mr. HAYES, Mrs. MILLER of Michigan, Mr. MCCARTHY of California, and Mr. HELLER of Nevada) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of Congress that the Department of Defense and the Federal Voting Assistance Program should take certain additional and timely measures to ensure that members of the Armed Forces and their dependents are provided with reasonable information on how to register to vote and vote in the 2008 general elections.

Whereas members of the Armed Forces and their dependents deserve every reasonable opportunity to participate in the electoral process given their daily sacrifices to protect our liberty and freedom;

Whereas Congress enacted the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act in part to ensure that members of the Armed Forces and their dependents are provided with sufficient information, opportunities, and balloting materials to foster their participation in Federal elections;

Whereas the Election Assistance Commission found that less than 17 percent of the 6 million citizens eligible under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act chose to participate in the 2006 general election;

Whereas the Election Assistance Commission further found that of the 48,600 Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act ballots that were not counted by States and local jurisdictions in the November 2006 elections, 70 percent were not counted due to incorrect or undeliverable addresses;

Whereas the Election Assistance Commission further found that more than 10 percent of all uncounted military and overseas absentee ballots were rejected because they were received past the required deadline;

Whereas the Election Assistance Commission further found that more effort needs to be made by the States and the Department of Defense to ensure that members of the Armed Forces and their dependents and citizens living overseas are made fully aware of their voting rights;

Whereas the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness and the Federal Voting Assistance Program are required to create and utilize a Federal Post Card Application that allows members of the Armed Forces and their dependents to use a single application to register to vote and request an absentee ballot;

Whereas a survey conducted recently by the Inspector General for the Department of Defense analyzed the effectiveness of the Federal Voting Assistance Program during the 2006 general election, and found that only 40 percent of members of the Armed Forces received voting information from the military and only 33 percent were aware of the Federal Post Card Application;

Whereas in April 2008 the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness testified before the Committee on House Administration that the Department of Defense had not provided all members of the Armed Forces and their dependents with post card applications by the January 15, 2008, deadline, as required by Department policy, and that the Department has yet to comply with this requirement; and

Whereas many of Department of Defense’s outreach efforts, including its Armed Forces Voter Week, are scheduled to occur 60 days before the November 2008 election, which may not provide members of the Armed Forces and their dependents with sufficient time to complete and return the Federal Post Card Applications: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that—

(1) it is in the interests of the United States to ensure that the Secretary of Defense and the Federal Voting Assistance Program provide members of the Armed Forces and their dependents who are eligible under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act with sufficient information regarding opportunities to register to vote and to request an absentee ballot for elections occurring in 2008, including the November 2008 general election;

(2) the Secretary of Defense and the Federal Voting Assistance Program must, on a monthly basis starting July 15, 2008, through the November 2008 general election, provide all eligible members of the Armed Forces and their dependents with an electronic reminder of the voter registration and absentee ballot process available under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, and, as required by Department policy, provide all members of the Armed Forces and their dependents with an electronic or paper copy of the Federal Post Card Application, along with sufficient instruction on completing and returning the application to the appropriate election official;

(3) State and local election officials should work with the Federal Voting Assistance Program to develop methods, consistent with privacy and security, for obtaining updated addresses and contact information, if possible, for any member of the Armed Forces or dependent who has been identified by the State or local election official as having an undeliverable ballot address;

(4) the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness should report to the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate, and the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and Senate not later than September 15, 2008, on the efforts made by the Department of Defense to—

(A) educate members of the Armed Forces on the process of voter registration and absentee voting in the 2008 general election,

(B) provide all eligible members of the Armed Forces and their dependents with the Federal Post Card Application to register to vote and cast absentee ballots in such election, and

(C) cooperate effectively with State and local election officials in their efforts to register these individuals and distribute and collect their absentee ballots;

(5) States must redouble their efforts to make sure that local jurisdictions collect the mandated information for individuals who are eligible under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, and should work in partnership with the Federal Government to develop best practices (including the use of electronic means) for encouraging voting participation among members of the Armed Forces and their dependents and citizens living overseas; and

(6) the Department of Defense, the Federal Voting Assistance Program, the Election Assistance Commission, and State governments should examine recommendations made by the Election Assistance Commission in its September 2007 survey findings regarding the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.

______________________________________________________________________

VOTING INFORMATION NEWS
July 2008 * Vol. 18, No. 7
A roundup of voting news from the Federal Voting Assistance Program
(FVAP) for voters, potential voters and those who assist voters.

CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE - OVERSEAS CITIZENS' VOTING WEEK JUNE 28 - JULY
7, 2008

The Secretary of Defense has designated June 28 through July 7, 2008 as
Overseas Citizens Voters Week.  This is an excellent time to get the
word out as U.S. citizens gather for Independence Day activities.

Overseas Citizens Voters Week is generally geared toward non-military
voters, but the Services are encouraged to have an Independence Day
registration booth, too.  As a Voting Assistance Officer (VAO), you
should make sure that those you support have received and filled out
their Federal Post Card Application (FPCA, SF 76) for registration
and/or ballot request.

You should work with other VAOs on base to plan Overseas Citizens Voters
Week.  The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) schedules this event
the week around the Fourth of July because many bases, embassies and
consulates have celebrations that enable you to reach a large contingent
of people at once. 

The VAOs on base should coordinate with their installation VAO and their
Service Voting Action Officer (see page 3) in the development of
"Overseas Citizens Voters Week.    Publicize 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.  Your
Installation VAO and Service Voting Action Officer will have "good
ideas" to pass on to you.  Also look on the FVAP website for "good
ideas" from other Services.

The objective of this campaign is to promote voter outreach efforts
worldwide.  Events should help ensure that all citizens have been given
the opportunity to receive information on how to obtain an absentee
ballot and how to return their voted ballot on time to meet the state
deadlines.

Events held during this week 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.

In preparation VAOs should do the following:
1 - Gather voting materials (forms, posters, pamphlets)
2 - Contact the installation organization in charge of
social activities and see if there will be an Independence Day
celebration
3 - Prepare to set up a booth or table at the Fourth of
July Celebration so you can share voting information
4 - Prepare short information pieces for local
newsletters or bulletin boards regarding the upcoming event or elections
coming up


THE FUNDAMENTALS OF BEING A VOTING ASSISTANCE OFFICER - FVAP WORKSHOPS

It is highly recommended that as a Voting Assistance Officer, you attend
a training workshop. 

The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) Workshop The FVAP conducts
Voting Assistance Officer (VAO) training on the first and third Thursday
of every month at the FVAP office.  In addition, the FVAP provides a
number of regionally-held workshops at select military installations and
mobilization sites as requested by the Services.  These workshops are
oriented towards VAOs and persons who provide voting assistance at U.S.
Embassies and Consulates, Military installations, and American Citizen
Organizations overseas.  VAOs from nearby installations, regardless of
Service, should be invited to attend these workshops at the host
installation.  Although primarily for VAOs, workshops are open to any
interested persons.

The workshop takes approximately two hours and is an interactive,
hands-on training session with the participants asking questions and
making comments as the workshop progresses.  The workshop provides
timely information about the absentee registration and voting process
for Uniformed Services voters and U.S. citizens overseas; information,
resources and tools critical to preparing VAOs to effectively perform
their duties in assisting Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee
Voting Act (UOCAVA) citizens.

Role of the VAO
VAOs are critical to the success of voting assistance programs.  In
fact, the knowledge and effectiveness of a VAO, combined with a
comprehensive voting assistance plan, may very well determine whether a
citizen understands how and when to participate in the election process.
VAOs are responsible for providing accurate, non-partisan voting
information and assistance to citizens of all 55 states and territories
who want to exercise their right to vote.  Many VAOs are new to the job
and may find it difficult to provide voting assistance or answer voting
related questions. The VAO training workshop will answer these questions
and make it easier for VAOs to help individuals follow the proper
absentee ballot procedures.

Basic agenda
The Installation VAO begins by introducing the commander (General/Flag
officer or other high ranking official) who will give the opening
remarks and introduce the FVAP person who will conduct the workshop.  If
the local election official is available, FVAP will present him or her.
(The local election official will answer questions pertinent to local
military voters that may come up during the session and may distribute
local forms.)  The workshop will cover the following topics: the UOCAVA
and the FVAP, the VAO duties and responsibilities, the absentee voting
process, how to use absentee voting materials and additional resources.

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 VAOs may refer these citizens to other information
sources such as local, regional and national newspapers, information
pamphlets from political parties, and the FVAP website www.fvap.gov
(select State Election Sites). 


Online VAO Training Courses

In addition to the onsite VAO Training courses, the FVAP has the two
versions (Uniformed Service, and Overseas Citizens.) of the VAO training
courses online in Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 formats at
www.fvap.gov. The Adobe Acrobat version requires Acrobat Reader 7.0 or
higher to view. This material is also on the VAO Resources CD, available
upon request through email at vote@fvap.ncr.gov. 

FVAP also provides a self-administered VAO training, available online
and on the VAO Resources CD. The self-administered training is targeted
to VAOs who are not able to attend an instructor-led workshop. Once the
training is complete, the VAO will be able to print off a training
certificate to place in the Voting Program Continuity Folder.

It is important to use the 2008-09 Voting Assistance Guide, and the FPCA
(SF76) and the FWAB (SF186) while taking any of these courses. 


2008-09 PRESIDENTIAL POST-ELECTION SURVEY Each presidential election
year, the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) conducts
post-election surveys as required by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens
Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA).  These surveys help determine voter
participation by military and overseas citizens in the electoral process
and assist us in evaluating and improving our program.  This survey is
not the same as the Election Day survey conducted by the U.S. Election
Assistance Commission. 

There are six populations that make up the FVAP post-election survey.

* Department of State Voting Assistance Officers
* Local Election Officials
* Unit Voting Assistance Officers
* Uniformed Service Members (active duty and reserve)
* Overseas Citizens - Non-Federal Employees
* Federal Civilian Employees Overseas

The actual survey will be administered in November 2008.  If contacted
to take the survey, we strongly encourage you to participate, as your
responses will play a very important part in improving the absentee
voting process for military and overseas absentee voters.  If you have
any questions or comments regarding the survey, please contact Ms. Erin
E. St Pierre at 1-800-438-8683 or vote@fvap.ncr.gov.

The FVAP thanks you in advance for your participation!


Voting Assistance Officers' "To Do" This Month:
* Take inventory of your supplies.  You want to make sure you have
FPCAs, FWABs and posters on hand for Overseas Citizens' Voting Week

* Be sure your contact information has been posted correctly in your
area.  Make sure installation or Embassy/Consulate telephone operators
know to refer callers requiring voting assistance to you

* Review the 2008-09 Voting Assistance Guide's Introduction, Chapter 1
and Chapter 2 for important information.

* Every month you should be checking the FVAP website (www.fvap.gov) for
updates to the 2008-09 Voting Assistance Guide.

Voting Action Officers

Department of State: Office of Overseas Citizens Services
Chief VAO: Mr. Jack Markey (202) 736-4937, fax: (202)
647-6201, votinginfo@state.gov
Deputy VAO: Ms. Elizabeth Gracon, (202) 647-6129, fax: (202)
647-6201
http://travel.state.gov/law/info/info_2964.html

Service Voting Action Officers
Army: Mr. Alton Perry (703) 325-4530, DSN: 221-4530, fax: (703)
325-4532, DSN fax: 221-4532,
alton.c.perry@conus.army.mil,
https://www.hrc.army.mil/site/Active/TAGD/pssd/psb/votingindex.htm

Navy: LT Jason Watkins 1-866-U-ASK-NPC (827-5672) (select
option 6 from menu), fax: (901) 874-6844,
DSN fax: 882-6844, vote@navy.mil,
http://www.cni.navy.mil/cnic_hq_site/BaseSupport/CommandStaff/NavyVoting
Program/index.htm

Air Force: Mr. Gilbert D. Harrison, Jr. (210) 565-5000, toll free:
1-800 616-3775 (Select options 1, then 1, then 2 from menu), DSN:
665-5000, fax: (210) 565-2543, DSN fax: 665-2543,
afpc/dpffofvotefund@randolph.af.mil,
http://www.afcrossroads.com/VoteFund/Vote/default.htm
 
Marine Corps: Mr. David E. James (703) 784-9511, DSN: 278-9511, fax:
(703) 784-9823, DSN fax: 278-9823,
mra.voting.officer@usmc.mil,
https://www.manpower.usmc.mil/pls/portal/url/page/m_ra_home/MR/Personnel
/Voting

Coast Guard: LTJG Frank Marcheski (202) 475-5375, fax: (202)
475-5927, Frank.A.Marcheski@uscg.mil

http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-w/g-wp/g-wpm/g-wpm-1/VotingAssistance/Voting_As
sistance.htm

Links to the Services' websites are available at www.fvap.gov.


Federal Voting Assistance Program
Department of Defense
1155 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC  20301-1155

(703) 588-1584
DSN 425-1584
TOLL FREE: 1-800-438-VOTE (8683)

FAX: (703) 696-1352
DSN 426-1352

Visit our website for international toll-free phone and fax numbers.

Email: vote@fvap.ncr.gov

Comments or suggestions on this newsletter are welcome and appreciated.

Website:www.fvap.gov

Vote!