2024-2025 Election Cycle Voting Action Plan 

Important Dates for Voting Assistance Officers (VAOs)

2023

Nov 1 VAO of the Quarter Deadline for SVAOs to submit nominations for the 3rd

Quarter 2023 VAO of the Quarter

Nov 15 FVAP Email Blast

FVAP will send an email to all Uniformed Service 

members with active email addresses from 

November 15-17. This email will remind them of the 

upcoming primary elections and emphasize the need 

to fill out an FPCA, and will promote direct-to-voter 

training video.

Nov 15 Order Supplies

Order new Voting Assistance Guides, FPCAs, 

FWABs, brochures and motivational posters. This is 

an ongoing task for all VAOs. Order your 2023

FPCA/FWAB forms through proper channels; 

https://www.fvap.gov/vao/materials/usm-order.

Dec 6 FVAP Email Blast

FVAP will send an email to all Uniformed Service 

members with active email addresses from 

December 6-8. This email will remind them of the 

upcoming primary elections and emphasize the need 

to fill out an FPCA, and will promote direct-to-voter 

training video.

Dec 31 Measures of Effect and 

Performance

Deadline for VAOs and Installation Voter Assistance 

Office staff to submit metrics in the FVAP portal. 

SVAOs must submit metrics to FVAP by January 15th. 

2024

Jan 1 VAO of the Quarter Deadline for SVAOs to submit nominations for the 4

th

Quarter 2023 VAO of the Quarter

Jan 3 Command Emphasis Campaign

Release Voting Awareness/Emphasis messages via 

Commanders, Base Newspapers, electronic mail, etc. 

Messages may be obtained by VAOs through their 

SVAO/FVAP.

Jan 10 FVAP Email Blast

FVAP will send an email to all Uniformed Service 

members with active email addresses from January 

10-12. This email will remind them of the upcoming 

primary elections and emphasize the need to fill out 

an FPCA, and will promote direct-to-voter training 

video.
Jan 10 IVA Office Outreach

IVA Office personnel should ensure the contact 

information for their office is correct as found on 

FVAP.gov: http://www.fvap.gov/info/contact/ivaoffices. Email: vote@fvap.gov with updated contact 

information.

SVAOs will reach out to IVA Offices to confirm.

Jan 10 VAO In-Person Workshops

DoD Instruction 1000.04, Enclosure 4.2.t., requires all 

VAOs to complete either an FVAP or Serviceprovided workshop. Our 2024 in-person workshops 

kickoff at TBD. Find your workshop at 

http://www.fvap.gov/vao/training.

Jan 15 Distribute FPCAs to UOCAVA 

voters

Deadline for VAOs to distribute FPCAs (electronically 

or in hand) to all UOCAVA voters and encourage 

them to complete and submit to their local election 

official to apply to register and request an absentee 

ballot for all elections in 2024.

Jan 21 Public Service Announcements

Create Service or base specific public service 

announcements with high ranking officials 

highlighting the importance of voting. Begin airing 

these PSAs at base theaters or on AFN. Examples 

can be found on http://www.fvap.gov/info/outreach.

Feb 7 FVAP Email Blast

FVAP will send an email to all Uniformed Service 

members with active email addresses from February 

7-9. This email will remind them of the upcoming 

primary elections and emphasize the need to fill out 

an FPCA now, and will promote direct-to-voter 

training video.

Feb 11 Super Bowl Challenge

FVAP will air public service announcements during 

the Super Bowl on Armed Forces Network. Host a 

voter registration drive or hang voting posters 

around your base Super Bowl Party. Send photos to 

FVAP.

Mar 7 FVAP Email Blast

FVAP will send an email to all Uniformed Service 

members with active email addresses from March 4-

6. This email will remind them of the upcoming 

primary elections and emphasize the need to fill out 

an FPCA now, and will promote direct-to-voter 

training video.

 Mar 31 Measures of Effect and 

Performance

Deadline for VAOs and Installation Voter Assistance 

Office staff to submit metrics in the FVAP portal. 

SVAOs must submit metrics to FVAP by April 15th.

Apr 1 VAO of the Quarter Deadline for SVAOs to submit nominations for the 2nd

Quarter 2024 VAO of the Quarter
Apr 4 IVA Office Outreach

IVA Office personnel should ensure the contact 

information for their office is correct as found on 

FVAP.gov: http://www.fvap.gov/info/contact/ivaoffices. Email: vote@fvap.gov with updated contact 

information.

SVAOs will reach out to IVA Offices to confirm.

Apr 4

FVAP Email Blast

FVAP will send an email to all Uniformed Service 

members with active email addresses from April 4-6. 

This email will remind them of the upcoming primary 

elections and emphasize the need to fill out an FPCA 

now, and will promote direct-to-voter training video.

May 2 FVAP Email Blast

FVAP will send an email to all Uniformed Service 

members with active email addresses from May 2-4. 

This email will remind them of the upcoming primary 

elections and emphasize the need to fill out an FPCA 

now, and will promote direct-to-voter training video.

Jun 6 FVAP Email Blast

FVAP will send an email to all Uniformed Service 

members with active email addresses from June 6-8. 

This email will remind them of the upcoming primary 

elections and emphasize the need to fill out an FPCA 

now, and will promote direct-to-voter training video.

Jun 13 Public Service Announcements

Run a Service or base specific public service 

announcement with high-ranking officials 

highlighting the importance of voting at base 

theaters or on AFN. Examples can be found on the 

FVAP Facebook page.

Jun 28 Armed Forces Voters Week and 

Overseas Citizens Voters Week

VAOs should plan and participate in Voting 

Emphasis Week (June 28-July 4, 2024) activities to 

encourage eligible citizens to apply to register to 

vote and request an absentee ballot. VAOs are 

encouraged to plan events around installation 4th of 

July activities. Invite military Families and promote 

availability of new direct-to-voter training video!

Jun 30 Measures of Effect and 

Performance

Deadline for VAOs and Installation Voter Assistance 

Office staff to submit metrics in the FVAP portal. 

SVAOs must submit metrics to FVAP by July 15th.

Jul 1 VAO of the Quarter Deadline for SVAOs to submit nominations for the 2nd

 

Quarter 2024 VAO of the Quarter

Jul 1 Command Emphasis Campaign

Release Voting Awareness/Emphasis messages via 

Commanders, Base Newspapers, electronic mail, etc. 

Messages may be obtained by VAOs through their 

SVAO/FVAP. Campaign should run in coordination 

with the Voting Emphasis Week.

Jul 5 FVAP Email Blast

FVAP will send an email to all Uniformed Service 

members with active email addresses from July 5-7. 

This email will remind them of the upcoming primary 

elections and emphasize the need to fill out an FPCA 
now, and will promote direct-to-voter training video.

Jul 5 LES Statement

FVAP will ensure that a voting message encouraging 

Active Duty members to register and request an 

absentee ballot be added to the Leave and Earnings 

Statement for all DoD personnel.

Jul 5 IVA Office Outreach

IVA Office personnel should ensure the contact 

information for their office is correct as found on 

FVAP.gov: http://www.fvap.gov/info/contact/ivaoffices. Email: vote@fvap.gov with updated contact 

information.

SVAO will reach out to IVA Offices to confirm.

Jul 15 Distribute FPCAs to UOCAVA 

voters

Deadline for VAOs to distribute the FPCA

(electronically or by hand) to UOCAVA voters they 

assist and encourage them to complete and submit 

to their local election official to apply to register and

request an absentee ballot for the 2024 General 

Election.

Aug 1 FVAP Email Blast

FVAP will send an email to all Uniformed Service 

members with active email addresses from August 1-

3. This email will remind them that the November

election is 90 days away, and will promote direct-tovoter training video.

Aug 1 Military Spouse Voters Week

VAOs should encourage all absentee military spouse 

voters to register to vote and submit and FPCA. 

Absentee Voting Week runs from August 1-8, 2024. 

Share the FWAB video clip with voters. 

Sept 3 IVA Office Outreach

IVA Office personnel should ensure the contact 

information for their office is correct as found on 

FVAP.gov: http://www.fvap.gov/info/contact/ivaoffices. Email: vote@fvap.gov with updated contact 

information.

FVAP/SVAO will reach out to IVA Offices to confirm.

Sept 3 FVAP Email Blast

FVAP will send an email to all Uniformed Service 

members with active email addresses from 

September 6-8. This email will remind them that the 

November election is 60 days away, and will promote 

direct-to-voter training video.

Sept 21 Ballot Mailing Deadline

Deadline for States to send absentee ballots to 

UOCAVA voters. Voters should begin checking their 

mail boxes and email for their ballot. Vote and return 

your ballot upon receiving it.

Sept 23 Public Service Announcements

Run Service or base specific public service 

announcements with high ranking officials 

highlighting the importance of voting at base 

theaters or on AFN. Examples can be found on the 

FVAP Facebook page.
Sept 23 LES Statement

FVAP will ensure that a voting message encouraging 

Active Duty members to register and request an

absentee ballot be added to the Leave and Earnings 

Statement for all DoD personnel.

Sept 30 Recommended Mailing Dates

Voters in Iraq, Afghanistan, ships at sea and other 

overseas locations without access to the military 

postal system should send voted ballots in now so 

they arrive in time to be counted.

Oct 1 Absentee Voting Week

VAOs should encourage all absentee voters to 

complete and return their absentee ballot. Absentee 

Voting Week runs from October 1-8, 2024. Share the 

FWAB video clip with voters.

Oct 1 VAO of the Quarter Deadline for SVAOs to submit nominations for the 3rd

Quarter 2024 VAO of the Quarter

Oct 1 Command Emphasis Campaign

Release Voting Awareness/Emphasis messages via 

Commanders, Base Newspapers, electronic mail, etc. 

Messages may be obtained by VAOs through their 

SVAO/FVAP. Campaign should run in coordination 

with the Voting Emphasis Week.

Oct 1 Measures of Effect and 

Performance

Deadline for VAOs and Installation Voter Assistance 

Office staff to submit metrics in the FVAP portal. 

SVAOs must submit metrics to FVAP by October 15th.

Oct 1 IVA Office Outreach

IVA Office personnel should ensure the contact 

information for their office is correct as found on 

FVAP.gov: http://www.fvap.gov/info/contact/ivaoffices. Email: vote@fvap.gov with updated contact 

information.

FVAP/SVAO will reach out to IVA Offices to confirm.

Oct 1 FVAP Email Blast

FVAP will send an email to all Uniformed Service 

members with active email addresses from October 

3-5. This email will remind them that the November 

election is 30 days away and to use the FWAB if they 

haven’t received their requested ballot from election 

office. Will include link to FWAB-focused video.

Oct 6 30 days before Election Day

VAOs should encourage voters who have not 

received their requested absentee ballots to 

complete and submit the FWAB.

Oct 20 Recommended Mailing Dates

Voters in overseas military installations with access 

to the military postal system should send voted 

ballots in now so they arrive in time to be counted. –

Use the 11-DOD Label to expedite the mail.
Oct 21 15 days before Election Day

VAOs should stress to voters to complete and return 

their absentee ballot. If voters have not received their 

requested absentee ballots, VAOs should encourage 

them to complete and submit the FWAB.

Oct 28 Recommended Mailing Dates

Stateside Uniformed Service members and their 

families should send voted ballots in now so they 

arrive in time to be counted.

Nov 5 Election Day

VAOs should remind local voters to go to their 

polling place and vote. IVA Offices should ensure 

coverage to answer last minute questions and assist 

voters returning their ballots by fax or email (for 

States that allow these methods of ballot 

transmission). 

Dec 31 Measures of Effect and 

Performance

Deadline for VAOs and Installation Voter Assistance 

Office staff to submit metrics in the FVAP portal. 

SVAOs must submit metrics to FVAP by January 15th. 

2025

Jan 1 VAO of the Quarter Deadline for SVAOs to submit nominations for the 

4th Quarter 2024 VAO of the Quarter

Jan 2 Order Supplies

2024-2025 Voting Assistance Guides, FPCAs, 

FWABs, brochures and motivational posters are 

available. If the prior VAO did not leave materials 

behind, order materials through proper channels: 

http://www.fvap.gov/vao/materials. 

Jan 15 Distribute FPCAs to UOCAVA 

voters

Deadline for VAOs to distribute FPCAs to all 

UOCAVA voters and encourage them to complete 

and submit to their local election official to apply to 

register or to request an absentee ballot for all 

elections in 2019.

Jan 31 After Action Reports

All After Action Reports must be submitted to FVAP. 

VAOs should submit AARs in the format and timeline 

requested by their SVAO. 
Ongoing Tasks

Directory 

Information

The Major Command and Installation Voter Assistance Officers must 

maintain a directory of all local unit VAOs containing names, email 

addresses and office telephone numbers. This directory must be updated 

at least quarterly. 

Website Information

Provide the name, mailing address, e-mail and office telephone 

number of Installation Voter Assistance Office and Installation Voter 

Assistance Officers on the installation website. 

Public Affairs

VAOs must work with PAO to publicize primary elections and inform 

military personnel and their family members of their right to vote. Voting 

outreach efforts should be incorporated into military and family appreciation 

events such as air shows and open houses.

Training

VAOs must attend a training workshop or complete online training. More 

information regarding in person and online training can be found at 

http://www.fvap.gov/vao/training. 

Voter Support

VAOs should make time in their schedules to help voters fill out Federal 

Postcard Applications or use the online wizards. With unit members voting 

in different States, voter support must remain an ongoing task. 

News Releases

Sign up for the FVAP email updates to receive election news. You can sign 

up by emailing vote@fvap.gov or by visiting 

https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USFVAP/subscribers/new.

VAO To-Do Lists FVAP creates monthly to-do lists with recommended tasks for all VAOs. 

These lists can be obtained by contacting FVAP, your SVAO or IVAO.

VAOs should consult their service guidance for additional information on service-specific voting activities.

Key FVAP Resources for VAOs

Website FVAP.gov Up-to-date Voting Assistance Guide and FPCA and 

FWAB online assistants

Email vote@fvap.gov Email FVAP with voting assistance questions

Telephone 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) Call FVAP with voting assistance questions

Facebook Facebook.com/DoDFVAP FVAP and UOCAVA updates

Twitter Twitter.com/FVAP FVAP and UOCAVA updates

For Service specific Voting Action Plans visit http://www.fvap.gov/vao/directives.