Air Force leaders strive for new voter milestone Published June 23, 2016 By Senior Airman Kyle Gese 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs 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. - 2016 SAFB Installation Voting Assistance Program Endorsement.pdf