Armed Forces Voting Week is last push to register voters

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Heather Stanton
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Armed Forces Voting Week is Aug. 31 to Sept. 7 and will be Incirlik's biggest campaign to get people registered to vote in this year's general election.

Americans will be able to vote for the new president during the general election scheduled for Nov. 4.

"Registering to vote is as easy as one, two, three," said Porsche Hurley, Incirlik voting assistance officer. "Simply, fill out an SF-76 registration card, and then mail it in. After registration approval, an absentee ballot should come in the mail."

Although the general election is 67 days away, overseas residents must register by Oct. 1 in order to receive an absentee ballot in time to vote. Those ballots must then be filled out and mailed in before Oct. 15 in order to be counted during the general election..

"The absentee ballot program allows American citizens and servicemembers overseas the chance to participate in state and federal elections," said Rada Ford, 39th Force Support Squadron voting representative.

Ms. Hurley and her band of unit voting representatives have scheduled many activities during Armed Forces Voting Week to inform and register Airmen and civilians assigned to Incirlik.

There will be contests throughout the week and a voting rally from 2 to 5 p.m. Sept. 6 at the Base Exchange, said Ms. Hurley. Also, there will be a base-wide scavenger hunt Sept. 4-10. Sign up by 12 p.m., Sept. 3 at the Community Center.

Booths will also be set up at the Sultan's Inn dining facility, the commissary, the Official Document Center and other locations around base to register voters.

To make registration even more convenient, every squadron and group on base appointed a unit voting representative.

"As a unit voting representative, I offer voting assistance by providing ready access to absentee voter registration, ballot requests and absentee ballot submission information," said Ms. Ford. The unit voting representative can also provide assistance with filling out a registration card or absentee ballot.

Ms. Hurley doesn't want anyone to miss voting due to the lack of information.

"There are plenty of resources available for information on political parties, candidates and issues," she said. "The Federal Voting Assistance Program Web site has a wealth of information."

The FVAP Web site, www.fvap.gov, can also be used for registering to vote online or signing up for an absentee ballot.

For more information, contact your unit voting representative or e-mail Ms. Hurley at Porsche.Hurley@Incirlik.af.mil.