DoD Announces on-Line Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (they must do better, but it is a start)

U.S. Department of Defense ^ | Oct 21, 2004 | IMMEDIATE RELEASE

[Former Military Chick]

The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) has made available an official On-line Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (OFWAB). The OFWAB like the paper version has been prescribed by FVAP to serve as an emergency ballot for those overseas citizens covered by the Uniformed and Overseas Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) who do not receive their requested state absentee ballot. The OFWAB is an alternative to the multipart paper version.

Generally, a citizen can only use the FWAB under three, very specific conditions. To be eligible for this ballot, the U.S.citizen must:

1) Be located outside the United States (including APO/FPO addresses);

2) Have applied for a regular ballot early enough so that the request is received by the appropriate local election official at least 30 days before the election; and

3) Not have received the requested regular absentee ballot from the state.

The FWAB is used to vote for federal offices, President/Vice President, U.S. senator, U.S. representative, delegate or resident commissioner to the Congress) in general elections. Some states now allow military and overseas citizens to use the FWAB in elections other than general elections or for offices other than federal offices. The citizen should consult Chapter 3 of the 2004-05 Voting Assistance Guide for specific state or territorial requirements. The citizen may electronically fill in the form before it is printed, or print it and manually fill in the form. In either case, the citizen’s manual signature and date are required. Specific instructions to be followed when submitting the OFWAB may be found at httpe://www.fvap.gov/pubs/onlinefwab.html .

If the form is mailed within the APO/FPO or U.S. postal system, a postage paid indicia may be printed onto your mailing envelope from the FVAP web site at http://www.fvap.gov/pubs/returnenvelope.html .

Citizens who receive their state ballot after submitting either version of the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot should vote and submit their state ballot any time up to and including election day. Citizens should note on the state ballot envelope that a FWAB was submitted.

The FVAP can be contacted through the DoD Voting Information Center (VIC) Citizens may reach the VIC toll-free from 64 countries using the toll-free numbers listed on the FVAP website, http://www.fvap.gov. The VIC provides recorded messages from candidates, as well as other information concerning elections, 24 hours a day.

Questions about this program may also be referred to the director, Federal Voting Assistance Program, Department of Defense, 1155 Defense Pentagon. Additionally, the FVAP can be reached via e-mail at vote@fvap.ncr.gov

[Mortikhi]

Almost posted the same thing, from FoxNews:

We told you about some of the millions of Americans living abroad who are complaining of problems registering as absentee voters and getting ballots. Since then, the Pentagon has posted on its site a federal write-in ballot that civilians and military people overseas can use if their absentee ballots fail to arrive on time.

Here is the link to the Pentagon’s website: http://www.fvap.gov/services/fwab.html.

[Grendel9]

My question pertains to military voting via Internet.

Are they limited to voting only on a paper ballot as was the case 4 years ago? Remember all those military ballots
that got stowed in the hole of a ship and never delivered
on time in Florida? When my Grandson was aboard ship in Bahrain, he wrote me almost every day. Admittedly, the use of the computers was limited to so many minutes each day. But, it was great. Had his own ID aboard ship, etc. So if it worked last year, why can't it work during the election season?

[bin2baghdad]

Currently stationed in CONUS, not overseas. Requested my absentee ballot in August. Still haven't received it, and I'm not eligible to use the OFWAB. I've called the Election Board, but to no avail. I received confirmation in the mail that they approved my request, but alas, no ballot!