SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  

The Air Force Voting Assistance Program is a year-long initiative directed by the Secretary of Defense to assist military personnel, their families and civilian personnel with access to the installation, to register and vote either at the polls or by absentee ballot.

 

The program also focuses on educating and informing personnel, ages 18-24, who have historically shown low voter participation. According to a Current Population Study, performed by the U.S. Census Bureau, 15.6 percent of the U.S. population in 2014 between the ages of 18-24 actually voted; nearly 39 percent were registered to vote.

 

"Our goal for Sheppard is simple,” said Capt. Blaise Eisenbeil, Sheppard installation voting assistance officer. “We will contact 100 percent of each organization's members; encourage them to register to vote, and offer assistance in submitting their absentee ballots. This can be accomplished by visiting one of four information booths across the base, or online at www.fvap.gov.”

 

On June 6, 2016, Brig. Gen. Patrick Doherty, 82nd Training Wing commander, and Col. Gregory Keeton, 80th Flying Training Wing commander, signed a VAP endorsement letter for all Sheppard Airmen, which states the importance of the installation’s program and emphasizing the right to vote.

 

Sheppard personnel can seek assistance with the VAP at any time. In addition, Sheppard will have its annual Voters Week, from June 27 through July 5. During this time, booths will be present to assist members with their voting needs located at the 82nd Medical Group Clinic lobby, the Base Exchange, Building 2320 at the 80th FTW and the Military Personnel Flight in Building 402 in room 241. Unit Voters Assistance Officers will offer assistance with voting registration, requesting a ballot, and mailing the FPCA (Federal Post Card Application) or NVRF (National Voter Registration Form) for the voter.

 

Past and upcoming election dates for 2016 are listed in the table below. The General Election date is November 8, 2016.

 

2016 Primary Election Dates

 

State	Presidential Primary	State Primary	State Primary Runoff
Alabama	March 1	March 1	April 12
Alaska	-	August 16	-
Arizona	March 22	August 30	-
Arkansas	March 1	March 1	March 22
California	June 7	June 7	-
Colorado	-	June 28	-
Connecticut	April 26	August 9	-
Delaware	April 26	September 13	-
Florida	March 15	August 30	-
Georgia	March 1	May 24	July 26
Hawaii	-	August 13	-
Idaho	March 8	May 17	-
Illinois	March 15	March 15	-
Iowa	-	June 7	-
Kansas	-	August 2	-
Kentucky	Democratic: May 17	May 17	-
Louisiana	March 5	November 8	December 10
Maine	-	June 14	-
Maryland	April 26	April 26	-
Massachusetts	March 1	September 8	-
Michigan	March 8	August 2	-
Minnesota	-	August 9	-
Mississippi	March 8	March 8	March 29
Missouri	March 15	August 2	-
Montana	June 7	June 7	-
Nebraska	May 10	May 10	-
Nevada	-	June 14	-
New Hampshire	February 9	September 13	-
New Jersey	June 7	June 7	-
New Mexico	June 7	June 7	-
New York	April 19	June 28	-
North Carolina	March 15	March 15	May 24
North Dakota	-	June 14	-
Ohio	March 15	March 15	-
Oklahoma	March 1	June 28	August 23
Oregon	May 17	May 17	-
Pennsylvania	April 26	April 26	-
Rhode Island	April 26	September 13	-
South Carolina	Republican: February 20	June 14	June 28
Tennessee	March 1	March 1	May 24
Texas	March 1	March 1	May 24
Utah	-	June 28	-
Vermont	March 1	August 9	-
Virginia	March 1	June 14	-
Washington	May 24	August 2	-
West Virginia	May 10	May 10	-
Wisconsin	April 5	August 9	-
Wyoming	-	August 16	-

Table courtesy of https://www.fvap.gov/vao/vag/appendix/state-elections

 

 

If you have any questions about the Voters Assistance Program, how to register to vote, or need assistance with your absentee ballot, visit https://www.fvap.gov or contact Capt. Blaise Eisenbeil at 940-676-4313 or 1st Lt. Thomas Denninghoff at 940-676-4495.

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2016 SAFB Installation Voting Assistance Program Endorsement.pdf