UNCLASSIFIED ROUTINE R 071454Z MAR 16 FM CNO WASHINGTON DC TO NAVADMIN BT UNCLAS NAVADMIN 057/16 SUBJ/ABSENTEE VOTER REGISTRATION AND 2016 PROGRAM GUIDANCE// MSGID/NAVADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/DNS// REF A/DOC/OPNAV/15MAY07// REF B/DOC/DOD/13SEP12// NARR/REF A IS OPNAVINST 1742.1B, NAVY VOTING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND REF B IS DODI 1000.04, FEDERAL VOTING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.// RMKS/1. At the beginning of each calendar year, eligible voters who wish to register to vote absentee should do so by completing the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA form can easily be completed online at: http://www.fvap.gov. 2. Another election cycle begins in 2016 with numerous federal, state, and local elections being held, to include the Presidential Election. Choosing our leaders through open elections makes democracy unique and is a freedom that we defend. Everyone is encouraged to exercise their right to vote and to ensure that their voice is heard. 3. The Navy maintains a robust service-wide Voting Assistance Program that relies upon leadership support at every level of the chain of command. The following guidance is provided: a. Commanders, Commanding Officers, and Officers in Charge: Every command of 25 or more individuals is required to maintain a voting assistance program, managed by a command Voting Assistance Officer (VAO). b. Voting Assistance Officers: (1) Duties and responsibilities are outlined in references (a) and (b). (2) VAOs must establish an account in the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) online portal at https://www.fvap.gov/portal/login/welcome.html and will report assistance metrics on a quarterly basis via this tool, while maintaining copies of these metrics for their records. VAOs with voting issues or questions are encouraged to contact the Navy VAO, by emailing vote(at)navy.mil. (3) VAOs must establish a voting distribution list for their command. It should be in the following format ?vote.command_name(at)navy.mil? and include all primary and assistant VAOs within that command as well as vote(at)navy.mil. (4) Per federal law, all VAOs are required to have their performance commented on in an official military evaluation report. To satisfy this requirement, all VAOs must list ?VAO? in the collateral duty block of their official evaluation or fitness report. (5) The voting action plan outlines specific guidance to support the Navy Voting Assistance Program throughout 2016 and can be found at http://www.fvap.gov/vao/guidance/html. Voters who need assistance with the absentee voting process should contact their command Voting Assistance Officer, visit www.fvap.gov, or email vote(at)navy.mil. 4. My point of contact is LT Kristin Hope at kristin.hope(at)navy.mil or (202)433-4000. 5. Released by VADM R. L. Thomas, Director, Navy Staff.// BT #0001 NNNN UNCLASSIFIED//