News

Armed Forces Voter’s Week aims to educate Airmen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Rachel Hammes
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs

Armed Forces Voter’s Week is scheduled to take place between June 27 and July 5.

The week is designed to provide service members and dependents with information about absentee voting, regardless of where they’re stationed or the state in which they claim residency.

“They can send their vote home and participate in elections in their home state,” said Capt. Benjamin Draper, the installation voting assistance officer at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. “They have that right, which is guaranteed by the Move Act and the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, which was established by Congress 30 years ago.”

Civilians serving overseas are also given this right.

Draper said because service members have to be careful of the way they express their political beliefs, it’s important to seize an opportunity to express their opinion.

“Service members sacrifice a lot – not just to defend the nation, but to defend our rights,” he said. “One of our key rights is our right to vote and have a say in our government. If you’re not doing that, you’re missing an opportunity.”

Many service members are aware they can vote absentee in national elections, but don’t realize they have the same right with state elections.

“I think a lot of service members don’t realize they can vote in the state elections – even if they’re a resident of Alaska, but they’re stationed here at Offutt,” he said. “They can send their votes home and have a say in how the primaries turn out.”

Draper suggests those with questions make inquiries at the Offutt Voting Office, or with their unit’s voting assistance officer.

“They can also go online to fvap.gov,” he said. “It’s a great resource, and they also have a lot of state-specific information.”