Voting assistance workshop set for March 23

By Joan VaseyMarch 22, 2016

Fort Huachuca, Arizona--A two-hour voting assistance workshop designed to train voting assistance Officers (VAOs) from the installation and individual units will take place at 9 a.m. March 23 in Fitch Auditorium, Alvarado Hall.

VAOs ensure citizens covered by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) understand their voting rights. They also ensure citizens know how to register, vote by absentee ballot and provide accurate nonpartisan voting information and assistance. UOCAVA citizens are U.S. citizens who are active members of the uniformed services, Merchant Marines, commissioned corps of the Public Health Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, their eligible Family members, and U.S. citizens residing outside the United States.

"VAOs are critical to the success of voting assistance programs," said Westley Cooper, Fort Huachuca installation voting assistance officer. "VAOs are responsible for providing accurate, non-partisan voting information and assistance. Many of the VAOs are new to the job and will find it difficult to provide voting assistance or answer voting related questions. This VAO training workshop will answer their questions and make it easier for VAOs to help individuals requiring assistance."

The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) workshop offers the opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge; this training covers VAO responsibilities, describes the absentee voting process, and resources available to conduct a successful voting assistance program. Instructors will explain how to complete the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) and the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Although many of these tools are available online, the workshop will provide an interactive forum to disseminate information and ask pertinent questions. Both Congress and the DOD inspector general have emphasized the importance of all VAOs receiving comprehensive training on how to perform their duties, according to Cooper.

"Attendance at an FVAP Workshop is the best way for VAOs to learn this information," he said. "The workshop will provide critical information, resources, and tools for the successful performance of VAO duties and ultimately the success of the voter in participating in our electoral process."

Maj. Gen. Scott Berrier, commanding general, U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence and Fort Huachuca, is the host and will make opening remarks.

Those who would like to become VAOs should be at least sergeants first class or first lieutenants. They must contact their commanders and express interest. Once notified of their appointment in writing by the commander in accordance with Army Regulation 608-20, the VAO must complete Web-based training within 30 days or attend the FVAP workshop during even-numbered years, if available.

To learn who their unit VAO is, Soldiers should see their commanders. This information is usually provided during unit in-processing, and information that identifies the unit VAO should be prominently displayed in the company area.

During installation in-processing, Soldiers are briefed on the importance of their votes, the location of the Installation Voting Office and the names and contact information for the installation VAOs. At that time, the Soldiers are also provided with a FPCA and a quick reference guide. VAOs are available to help those who elect to complete the FPCA during that time in mailing their completed forms.

"This is an election year, so it is especially important to ensure VAOs know how to assist eligible citizens" Cooper stressed. "It is our responsibility to ensure our population knows their votes count and how to ensure votes are counted when cast. Citizens' votes have a direct effect on them; elected officials decide on matters that affect the military and their Families such as Veteran's benefits, pay raises, healthcare and others."

The Installation Voter Assistance Office is located in Building 41330, Whitside Hall, Room 1. Hours of operation are 8:30-10:30 a.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. On Thursday, the office is open for business from 1:30-3:30 p.m.

For more information, contact 520.533.1912 or usarmy.huachuca.imcom-central.mbx.vote-huachuca@mail.mil.