Some states are dragging their feet about getting absentee ballots to our military, especially those overseas. But, there is a federal web site that provides generic ballots that soldiers can use to at least cast their votes for US Senators and Congressmen if a soldier’s absentee ballot does not arrive in time. The web site is:
The Federal Voting Assistance Program, can be used to request an absentee ballot or, if the absentee ballot does not arrive in time, the generic ballot can be printed and used. (Note: The generic ballot apparently can only be used if you have requested but not received the official absentee ballot.) The generic ballot is referred to as: the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB).
Official absentee ballots allow voting for all the offices (state and local as well as federal) that are to be filled and any other local or state matters in that voting district. But, if the official absentee ballot does not arrive, the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot can be used to vote for US Senators and Congressmen. The FWAB is simplified because the voter can, but does not need to specify the name of the candidate he or she wishes to vote for. The voter only needs to identify the political party for each office and the vote is to be given to that party’s candidate. This makes it very easy to vote, even if the voter does not remember the candidate’s name or the spelling of the name so there is no excuse for not voting at least via these FWAB, generic, ballots.
Whether an official absentee ballot or the Federal generic substitute ballot is used, the ballot needs to be filled out and mailed in time to meet your state’s election schedule.
Typically the absentee ballot needs to be postmarked the day before the election, BUT CHECK YOUR STATE’s requirements. Be safe and return the ballot as soon as possible. If possible, ask to have the envelop canceled with time and date stamp when it is mailed.
Remember, the website is: www.fvap.gov
Our country needs every soldier to vote!!
Lets get this information out to our soldiers!! Please pass it on!
Thank you!!
