Incirlik prepares to get the vote out Published March 20, 2008 By Tech. Sgt. Ray Bowden 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- If the 2008 Presidential Election voter turnout is anything like its 2004 predecessor, more than 120 million Americans will cast their ballot for a new president Nov. 4. An estimated 126 million registered voters, or 64 percent of voting-age citizens, voted in the 2004 Presidential Election, the highest turnout in a presidential election year since 1992, when 68 percent of voting-age Americans managed to get to get to the polls. Porsche Hurley, 39th Services Squadron administrative assistant, serves as Incirlik's installation voting assistance officer, a role which requires her to train the base's 22 voting representatives and ensures they have the materiel and resources to facilitate voting on the installation. Ms. Hurley also oversees the base's publicity plan regarding voting information, coordinates wing resources to support the voting assistance program and installation voting plan and, as voting assistance officer, works directly for the wing commander. "The commander is required to develop and administer the base's voting program and provide one unit voting officer or 'representative' for every 100 Airmen," she said. Ms. Hurley also chairs the Wing Voting Committee, a group comprised of representatives from the wing legal office, 39 SVS marketing, 39th Mission Support Squadron military personnel flight, 39th Comptroller Squadron, and other Incirlik organizations and units. "The voting committee is Incirlik's primary means of ensuring everyone stationed here knows how to vote and knows what their rights are concerning voting," said Ms. Hurley. "Typically, we have eight or nine members, but because it happens to be an election year, we currently have eleven." Under the Federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, military and overseas voters may vote by absentee ballot. To register to vote via absentee ballot, Incirlik members may fill out the Federal Post Card Application, known also as the "Standard Form 76," which may be found online at www.fvap.gov/pubs/getpubs, or at Incirlik's Official Document Center, at the 39 MSS MPF customer service counter. Anyone submitting this form must affirm an oath returned with their ballot that they will be absent or unable to vote in person. Incirlik members who will be on leave status in the United States should not submit this form and plan to vote at their polling place. To be counted, absentee ballots must be for the Presidential General Election on Nov. 4 and must be received by the local board of elections by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day; or be mailed on or before Election Day. According to Col. Phil McDaniel, 39th Air Base Wing commander, every vote counts. "I encourage every Incirlik Airman and civilian of voting age to take advantage of one of our fundamental rights as American citizens and vote for the candidate of your choice - not just in this upcoming presidential election, but in every election," he said. "Voting is the best one way in which we as American citizens and servicemembers can let our voices be heard." Questions concerning voting may be directed to Ms. Hurley at 676-3108 or by contacting any Incirlik squadron or unit voting representative.