Ready, set, vote; Andersen Airmen receive assistance on the voting process Published Feb. 11, 2014 By Senior Airman Cierra Presentado 36th Wing Public Affairs ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- Military members often face a specific set of challenges during voting season. The Federal Voting Assistance Program is designed to help the members of Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, with the early registration process as well as the specific voting rules applied to each individual state. With registration deadlines to vote in some state's primary run-offs as early as Feb. 1, members are encouraged to register as soon as possible. An appointed voting assistance officer is available in each unit to assist member and their families with all their voting needs. "As the alternate installation VAO, I encourage service members and their families to make sure they are registered to vote," said Priscilla Pacificar, 36th Force Support Squadron, Airman and Family Readiness Center work-life consultant and alternate installation voting assistance officer. "Everyone is entitled to their voting rights and all installation and unit VAOs are here to help assist Team Andersen." According to fvap.gov, most states require individuals who live out of state to complete an absentee ballot application to start the absentee voting process. FVAP encourages the use of the Federal Post Card Application to start the absentee voting process as it is standardized for use across all states and will extend an individual's eligibility to receive a ballot for all federal elections for at least one calendar year. The FPCA acts as a registration and absentee ballot as well as a request form. For deployed members, along with using the FVAP website, a representative will be present at the deployed location to assist members with their voting rights. "Oftentimes we get legal questions concerning voting," said Capt. Sean McGarvey, 36th Wing Legal Office assistant staff judge advocate. "We are available to give legal guidance to members and highly encourage they visit the FVAP website." The Department of Defense encourages all members of the Armed Forces and federal civilian's employees to register and vote. The DOD also actively supports the FVAP to ensure individuals have the resources, time and ability to participate. "We encourage all members of Andersen to make sure they are registered to vote first; the FVAP website or your unit VAO can assist you with the proper tools you will need," Pacificar said. "Members should be aware that if they do not register on time, they may miss out on their chance to vote during the election season." Units VAO's will have absentee ballots available later in the year. For more information call the A&FRC at 366-8136 or email Andersen.vote@us.af.mil. For legal concerns dealing with voting, contact the legal office at 366-2937.