Registration for absentee voting open Published Sept. 26, 2014 SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The Federal Voting Assistance Program, or FVAP, encourages military Service members, their eligible family members and overseas citizens to submit a new Federal Post Card Application every January to ensure they can participate in upcoming Federal elections. The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act states any Service member, eligible family member or overseas citizen may be eligible to vote absentee. The FPCA (SF-76) allows citizens to apply to register to vote, request an absentee ballot and/or update contact information with local election offices. The FPCA is the primary method of communication with election officials. The information provided on this form is all the local election office has to determine to meet the State voter registration requirements, which election materials to send and where and how to send a ballot. Their website, www.FVAP.gov, offers an online assistant to complete the form, and provides a blank fillable PDF file. Hardcopies of the form are also available at embassies, consulates and military bases around the world. Once completed, do not forget to print and sign the form before submitting it to the local election office. Contact information can be found at thier website. Don't forget to follow up with an election official to ensure the registration was received. Voting is a personal choice, those who want to vote, voting assistance is available to help provide you with the tools and resources needed to successfully vote using the absentee process. For more information on FVAP or assistance with the absentee voting process, visit www.FVAP.gov, call FVAP at 1-800-438-VOTE (8683), or DSN 425-1584 (CONUS)/312-425-1584 (OCONUS), or e-mail vote@fvap.gov. Follow them on Facebook at Facebook.com/DoDFVAP, or on Twitter @FVAP. For Sheppard information, call Master Sgt. Christopher Grabner, installaition voting assistance officer, at (940) 676-4837.