The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) works to ensure service members and their eligible family members are aware of their right to vote and have the tools and resources to successfully do so from anywhere in the world.

The Director of FVAP administers the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) on behalf of the Secretary of Defense. UOCAVA, as amended by the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act, requires states to transmit requested absentee ballots to UOCAVA voters no later than 45 days before a federal election.

FVAP assists voters through partnerships with the Military Services, Department of State, Department of Justice, election officials from 50 states, U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia.

National Guard Service members who retire and reside within the United States are not covered by UOCAVA and, therefore, are not eligible for FVAP. However, FVAP does offer some assistance as a service member transitions into permanent retirement. If a service member retires in a foreign country, they are covered by UOCAVA and are eligible for FVAP.

Service members and their eligible family members should notify their election office of their change in voter registration status and update their information so that they can begin to vote locally. This can be done one of two ways:

If you have voted absentee or locally and are staying in the same voting residence after separation:

• Notify your election office of your change in status and that you will be voting locally in future elections. A sample letter for staying is provided for your convenience.

If you voted absentee or locally and are moving to a new state or county after separation:

• Notify your election office of your change in status and that you will no longer be voting in that jurisdiction. A sample letter for moving is provided for your convenience.
• Fill out a National Voter Registration Form to register as a civilian.

If you will be moving abroad after separating from the military, you will remain a UOCAVA voter. You should send in a new Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) with your updated mailing address and new classification selection. The FPCA can be found at FVAP.gov. Your voting residence address in the U.S. will remain the same. 

Additional information about registering to vote locally can be found on your State/Territory Election website.

Federal Voting Assistance Program Homepage
https://www.fvap.gov/

Federal Voting Assistance Program Residency Fact Sheet
https://www.fvap.gov/uploads/FVAP/Outreach-Materials/FVAP_VotingResidence_Military.pdf

Air Force Personnel Center’s Department of the Air Force Voting Assistance Program
https://www.afpc.af.mil/Military-and-Family/Voting/

Air Force Installation Voter Assistance Office Contact Information
https://www.fvap.gov/info/contact/iva-offices?serviceId=1

Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA)
https://www.justice.gov/crt/uniformed-and-overseas-citizens-absentee-voting-act

Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act
https://www.eac.gov/sites/default/files/document_library/files/Military-and-Overseas-Voter-Empowerment-%E2%80%9CMOVE%E2%80%9D-Act.pdf