Registration drive for overseas voters under way Published July 6, 2004 By Army Sgt. 1st Class Doug Sample American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- With the November general elections coming up, Defense Department officials have designated July 4 to 10 as Overseas Citizens Voters Week to get eligible DOD people stationed abroad registered to vote.The objective is to get overseas voters involved in the electoral process and to stress the importance of registering to vote, said Polli Brunelli, director of the Federal Voting Assistance Program.Throughout the week, voting assistance officers at overseas military installations, U.S. Embassies and consulates will hold registration drives and other activities to get people to vote, Ms. Brunelli said. The emphasis will also be placed on mailing registration forms back in time to meet local and state deadlines, she said.Ms. Brunelli said DOD people overseas should register to vote as early as possible, because each mail system is different in countries outside the United States."Depending on whether their registration forms or ballots are traveling through international mail, or whether they are traveling through APO or FPO mail, they should allow a couple of weeks for the registration forms to get to local election officials,” Ms. Brunelli said. "And local election officials need time to send those ballots back."The Fourth of July was the perfect time to begin the drive because of the patriotism associated with the holiday, Ms. Brunelli said.More information about overseas voter registration can be found on the FVAP Web site at www.fvap.gov.