ALCGPSC 004/21 - 2021 VOTER REGISTRATION AND ABSENTEE BALLOT NOTIFICATION

united states coast guard

15 JAN 21

UNCLAS
ALCGPSC 004/21
SUBJ:  2021 VOTER REGISTRATION AND ABSENTEE BALLOT NOTIFICATION
A. Coast Guard Voting Assistance Program, COMDTINST 1742.3 (series)
1. The right of U.S. citizens to vote is protected by the U.S.
Constitution. Every voter must have the opportunity to register and
vote, in person or by absentee, in any election for which he or she
is eligible. To vote in U.S. elections, Coast Guard members and their
eligible dependents must be registered in their state of legal
residence.
2. 2021 is a federal voting off-year, however off-cycle special
elections can be expected, and all eligible voters are encouraged to
vote. If members or their voting eligible dependents do not expect to
be present in their state of legal residence to vote, they may do so
by using an absentee ballot.
3. Eligible voters who wish to register and vote absentee should do
so by completing the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). Please
note that each state has their own deadlines for the receipt of
absentee ballot requests and can be up to 21 days prior to the
election.
4. The FPCA (SF-76) can be completed easily online at the Federal
Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) website: http://www.fvap.gov.
The website has an automated assistant to help members complete,
save, and print the FPCA. Additionally, they can print a pre-paid
envelope template for submission by mail. The FPCA is postage-paid
within the U.S. Postal Service system, including APO and FPO
addresses. Many states and territories allow return of FPCAs by fax.
Note: Each state or territory has specific instructions for
completing and submitting to local election offices.
5. Per REF (A), commands should provide the FPCA to all assigned
military personnel and their eligible family members by:
   a. Communicating the FPCA availability on the FVAP website to all
   members.
   b. Having Unit Voting Assistance Officers (UVAO) registered and
   trained with FVAP. Please see https://www.fvap.gov/vao/overview on
   how to be a UVAO.
   c. Providing FPCAs in hardcopy or electronic means to members.
   COVID-19 has impacted FVAP’s supply of printed forms and voting
   material. All documents should be downloaded off the website at:
   http://www.fvap.gov.
6. For questions please contact the Service Voting Action Officer,
Ms. Keirsten Current at keirsten.e.current2@uscg.mil.
7. Released by RDML S. N. Gilreath, Commander, Personnel Service
Center.
8. Internet release is authorized.