Officials committed to helping servicemembers vote Published Aug. 19, 2004 By Kathleen T. Rhem American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Defense officials are committed to ensuring servicemembers have the ability to vote from anywhere in the world, Department of Defense's top personnel officer said."We're making a decided effort to make sure everyone gets the chance to vote," said David S. C. Chu, undersecretary for personnel and readiness.Voting assistance officers are available on military installations and in units to assist servicemembers in finding information for their home states and districts. These officers can help people register to vote and request absentee ballots.The U.S. Postal Service has committed to sending voting materials to and from servicemembers overseas via express mail, Mr. Chu said."This year, the post office is going … to expedite the movement of absentee ballots … to help us be sure they get out there in time and to get back and get counted," he said.DOD officials have designated two specific timeframes to raise awareness of issues facing military voters specifically and, more generally, everyone who must vote by absentee ballot. Sept. 3 to 11, which includes Labor Day, has been designated Armed Forces Voters Week. Columbus Day week, Oct. 11 to 15, will be Overseas Voting Week.Voting assistance officers will redouble their efforts to get information to potential voters during these weeks, a DOD spokesman said. Commanders and supervisors will also highlight the importance of voting and options available to troops."We want to bring to light the availability of services provided to assist military members and their family members," the spokesman said.A good source of information is the Web site of the Federal Voting Assistance Program, Mr. Chu said. The site includes links to absentee voting rules for all states and jurisdictions.From this site, potential voters can fill out and submit an on-line version of the Federal Post Card Application, which allows individuals to register to vote or request an absentee ballot from nearly all U.S. jurisdictions.Finally, Mr. Chu said, people should be aware they can use a Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot to vote in congressional and presidential elections if they do not receive their absentee ballots in time. Information on using this form is also available on the FVAP Web site."You can (use this form) if you're a registered voter," Mr. Chu said. "And that is one of your last-ditch options."