National Armed Forces Voters Week at Warren

  • Published
  • By Capt. Thomas McGillicuddy
  • 90th Security Forces Group
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  Soon it will be July 4, and our nation will celebrate its independence once again. The holiday brings to mind a long weekend filled with barbecues, time spent with family and friends and for many, the most important thing of all, fireworks. Each of us will celebrate the holiday differently, but instead of a barbecue or fireworks, celebrate the holiday by registering to vote.

Our right to vote has been earned for us by generations past, and is being defended by the present generation. Voting is the single most important means we have as Americans to make our voices heard and encourage change within our nation. Beginning June 28, National Armed Forces Voters Week will begin and will run through July 7. Warren is part of the Department of Defense and Air Force Voting Assistance Program, and will host the voters week effort here in Cheyenne, Wyo.

The Air Force Voting Assistance Program is designed to assist Air Force personnel and their family members to register and vote, either at the polls or by absentee ballot. The mission of the VAP is to provide assistance for all elections, regardless of when they are held. Each unit here has a voting assistance officer assigned to it. The VAO's mission is to inform, provide assistance and help military personnel and their families to exercise their right to vote.

VAOs will have the SF 76 Federal Post Card Application, as well as, the 2010-2011 Voting Assistance Guide. The FPCA only takes a few minutes to fill out, and the VAO can assist you if necessary. Any questions you may have about the FPCA, registering to vote or casting an absentee ballot, can be answered by your VAO, the 2010-2011 Voting Assistance Guide or can be answered through the FVAP Web site, http://www.fvap.gov.

The FVAP Web site has multiple links, so anyone who wants to learn about the voting process can access the site and navigate the links to find the answers to their questions. For those members of the Warren community who would like assistance registering or simply have a question, the Warren VAOs will be manning a booth inside the BX lobby on June 28 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. VAOs are also available at anytime to assist service members with questions. This holiday, celebrate July 4 by doing something a little different, register to vote.