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In November every seat in the House of Representatives and one third of the Senate will be up for election. For service members, different situations may determine different ways of voting, but no matter where they may find themselves, registering will always be the same.

Photo by Marine Corps News

468 seats up for grabs

26 Feb 2014 | Lance Cpl. Sarah A. Luna Marine Corps Base Quantico

In November every seat in the House of Representatives and one third of the Senate will be up for election.

For service members, different situations may determine different ways of voting, but no matter where they may find themselves, registering will always be the same.

“Members of the service can register to vote by visiting www.fvap.gov or by visiting their Unit Voting Assistance Officer,” said Capt. Tyvon Petway, the Unit Voting Assistance Officer for Marine Corps Base Quantico.

Petway also said that a voter will usually register in the state of legal residence and, if they are overseas, they can vote absentee.

People who are overseas, however, are not the only ones who can vote absentee. Anyone who is registered to vote is also eligible for absentee voting. A ballot will be sent to the location of the person’s home away from home. Individual states or municipal locations may have different absentee rules and deadlines.

According to the Federal Voting Assistance Program, found online at www.fvap.gov, registering and requesting to participate in absentee voting can be done by using the Federal Post Card Application. This form can be found at the local UVAO or by contacting the Federal Voting Assistance Program.

Service members who are located in the U.S. and want to vote in person must go to their assigned polling place.  A voting center is available on Marine Corps Base Quantico in Lejeune Hall, Room 106, for those who did not recieve an absentee ballot and want to vote on a provisional ballot.

Petway said state primaries are held frequently, and according to www.fvap.gov, it’s already too late to register for the March primaries in Texas and Illinois.

“Voting is a very important civil right because it’s a legal and human right, privilege and responsibility,” said Petway. “Voting in an election gives the public or the community power to determine their future leaders.”

A UVAO is available in every Marine Corps unit. For information, visit www.fvap.gov.

Correspondent: sarah.a.garcia@usmc.mil


Marine Corps Base Quantico