Get ready - Armed Forces Voters' Week approaches

  • Published
  • By Staff Reports
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Armed Forces Voters' Week is scheduled to take place June 30 to July 7. Military members and dependents of voting age will receive a postcard application form to register to vote.

Unit voting assistance officers highly encourage personnel to complete the forms immediately. These UVAOs will make 100 percent contact within their squadrons to assist voters and answer any questions.

"Voting is the most important right of any U.S. citizen. During any election, every eligible individual has the opportunity to exercise a single vote. It's this vote which serves as the foundation for our country's democracy," said Capt. Travis Epp, 100th Operations Support Squadron chief of current operations and installation voting assistance officer from Roseborg, Oregon.

The UVAOs will also staff information booths throughout the week:

· Hardstand Fitness Center - June 30, 3 to 5 p.m. and July 2, 6 to 8 a.m.
· Northside Fitness Center - July 1, 3 to 5 p.m. and July 3, 6 to 8 a.m.
· BXtra food court - July 1, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and July 3, 6 to 8 a.m.

Traditionally, registered voters will receive absentee mail-in ballots prior to the election deadline, explained Epp. This ensures there is plenty of time for members to vote and mail back their ballots.

"For deployed members, a vast majority of our deployed locations have installation voting assistance offices, which are more than happy to provide assistance," he said.

All U.S. citizens age 18 or older are afforded the right to vote. In some states, if an individual turns 18 before election day, they're permitted to vote before they're actually 18, Epp said.

"An individual's active duty or dependent status does not affect that right in any way," he said. "There are numerous ways to vote, but for individuals stationed or living overseas, the easiest way is through mail-in ballots provided by the individual's residency."

Personnel can receive ballots by registering to vote, either online or by mail, and providing a valid address for the ballots to be mailed.

For more information, contact Capt. Collin Christopherson at DSN 238-7937 or commercial at 01638-547937.