BY ORDER OF THE 

SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE 

INSTRUCTION 36-3107

1 JULY 2021

Personnel

VOTING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

COMPLIANCE WITH THIS PUBLICATION IS MANDATORY

ACCESSIBILITY: Publications and Air Force forms are available for downloading or 

ordering on the e-Publishing website at www.e-Publishing.af.mil.

RELEASABILITY: There are no releasability restrictions on this publication.

OPR: AF/A1S

Supersedes: AFI36-3107, 1 May 2019

Certified by: SAF/MR 

(Mr. John A. Fedrigo)

Pages: 11

This Department of the Air Force Instruction (DAFI) implements Air Force Policy Directive 

(AFPD) 36-31, Personal Affairs. It details voting assistance provided to members of the uniformed 

services, their spouses and dependents, and United States (US) citizens who have access to 

Department of the Air Force (DAF) installations. In collaboration with the Deputy Chief of Space 

Operations for Human Capital, Chief of the Air Force Reserve, Director of the Air National Guard, 

and Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel and Services, the Assistant Secretary of the 

Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs develops policy for Total Force Human Resource 

Management. This instruction applies to all uniformed and civilian members of the United States 

Space Force (USSF), the Regular Air Force (RegAF), and with the exception of paragraphs where 

explicitly different guidance is provided, it also applies to Air Force Reserve and Air National 

Guard units, herein referred to as the Air Reserve Component (ARC). Refer recommended changes 

and questions about this publication to the office of primary responsibility (OPR), using Air Force 

(AF) Form 847, Recommendation for Change of Publication; route AF Forms 847 from the field 

through the appropriate functional chain of command. This publication may be supplemented at 

any level, but all supplements must be routed to the OPR of this publication for coordination prior 

to certification and approval. The authorities to waive wing or unit level requirements in this 

publication are identified with a Tier (“T-0, T-1, T-2, T-3”) number following the compliance 

statement. See DAFI 33-360, Publications and Forms Management, for a description of the 

authorities associated with the Tier numbers. Submit requests for waivers through the chain of 

command to the appropriate Tier waiver approval authority, or alternately, to the requestor’s 

commander for non-tiered compliance items. Ensure all records generated as a result of processes 

prescribed in this publication adhere to Air Force Instruction (AFI) 33-322, Records Management 
2 DAFI36-3107 1 JULY 2021

and Information Governance Program, and are disposed in accordance with the Air Force Records 

Disposition Schedule, which is located in the Air Force Records Information Management System. 

Compliance with Attachment 1 of this publication is mandatory.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

This document is substantially revised and needs to be completely reviewed for administering the 

Voting Assistance Program on DAF installations. This publication incorporates changes published 

in Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 1000.04, Federal Voting Assistance Program 

(FVAP), that eliminate ratios for unit-level voting assistance and an annual training requirement 

while providing the Military Services greater flexibility in administering voting assistance.
DAFI36-3107 1 JULY 2021 3

Chapter 1

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1.1. The Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs 

(SAF/MR): exercises oversight on all matters for the Voting Assistance Program, to include 

policies, actions, and procedures for implementing voting assistance throughout the DAF.

1.2. Deputy Chief of Staff, Manpower, Personnel and Services (AF/A1) will:

1.2.1. Establish a Voting Assistance Program for the DAF.

1.2.2. Designate the Director of Air Force Services (AF/A1S) as the DAF Voting Assistance 

Program OPR.

1.2.3. Establish DAF Voting Assistance Program operational functions under the Air Force 

Personnel Center (AFPC) Directorate of Airman and Family Care (AFPC/DPFF)

1.2.4. Plan program actions and establish goals and/or milestones.

1.2.5. Ensure voting assistance is emphasized and advertised for Service members attending 

initial entry training (e.g., basic training) and command courses. (T-0).

1.2.6. Ensure command support at all levels for the Department of Defense (DoD) Federal 

Voting Assistance Program (FVAP).

1.2.7. Continually evaluate command voting programs.

1.2.8. AF/A1S will:

1.2.8.1. Appoint a permanent federal government employee as the Service Voting 

Assistance Officer (SVAO) to serve as the DAF program manager. (T-0). The SVAO will:

1.2.8.1.1. Develop written policies or instructions to support all eligible military and 

civilian personnel, and their family members, including those in deployed, dispersed, 

and tenant organizations (including units from other uniform services and the ARC).

1.2.8.1.2. Serve as the representative between the DoD FVAP Office and the DAF 

Voting Assistance Program functions.

1.2.8.1.3. Identify manpower requirements for the DAF and ARC to administer the 

Voting Assistance Program as an Airman and Family Readiness program and 

incorporate into fiscal year resource requirements.

1.2.8.1.4. Provide policy and guidance on metric tracking and reporting required by 

the DoD FVAP Office.

1.2.8.2. Coordinate on all Voting Assistance Program Public Affairs releases and fieldlevel instructional guidance messages and announcements.

1.2.8.3. Coordinate required DoD FVAP reporting requirements and final reports with 

appropriate Headquarters Air Force offices prior to release.
4 DAFI36-3107 1 JULY 2021

1.3. Secretary of the Air Force Office of the Inspector General (SAF/IG) will:

1.3.1. Include the Voting Assistance Program as an annual inspection requirement and 

evaluate for effectiveness at every level of command to ensure compliance in accordance with 

DoDI 1000.04. (T-0).

1.3.2. Focus on various areas of the program, with special interest given to issues of 

importance specified by the DoD FVAP Office, DoD Inspector General, and the DAF SVAO.

1.3.3. Provide the DoD Inspector General a report of assessment in accordance with DoDI 

1000.04. (T-0).

1.4. Major Command (MAJCOM), Field Command (FIELDCOM), Direct Reporting Unit, 

Field Operating Agency/A1 or S1 will:

1.4.1. Monitor, evaluate, and ensure the success of the Voting Assistance Program for the 

MAJCOM/FLDCOM/Direct Reporting Unit/Field Operating Agency commander, or 

equivalent.

1.4.2. Designate in writing a primary voting action officer, who may be any military or 

permanent government civilian grade, to coordinate the programs conducted by subordinate 

units within the command. (T-0). Submit a copy of the appointment letter to AFPC/DPFF. (T1). The designee will:

1.4.2.1. Maintain a current listing of each Installation Voting Assistance Officer (IVAO) 

within the command in coordination with the AFPC/DPFF. (T-3).

1.4.2.2. Submit after-action reports and lessons learned as directed by the SVAO. (T-1).

1.4.3. Ensure the appointed member receives FVAP training within the time standards set 

forth in DoDI 1000.04. (T-0). The appointed voting action officer should attend the training 

workshops conducted by the FVAP when unit temporary duty funds are available. If unable to 

attend a training workshop, alternate FVAP training medium may be used.

1.4.4. USSF FIELDCOMs are only responsible for installations that are USSF-led. Those 

installations where USSF units exist but are RegAF-led, the respective MAJCOM retains 

responsibility.

1.5. Air Reserve Component (ARC):

1.5.1. The Director, Air National Guard and Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command will 

appoint a headquarters-level SVAO to coordinate with the DAF SVAO and DoD FVAP Office, 

and to maintain a contingency absentee voting program for units and personnel who have been 

activated or mobilized outside of their residence area. (T-0).

1.5.2. Ensure pre-deployment/activation processing checklists identify voting assistance 

information and availability of the AFPC/TFSC as an assistance resource.

1.6. The Judge Advocate General of the Department of the Air Force: ensures installation 

legal assistance attorneys are trained and prepared to address residency and voting questions for 

Airmen and Guardians.
DAFI36-3107 1 JULY 2021 5

Chapter 2

PROCEDURES

2.1. Air Force Personnel Center Directorate of Airman and Family Care (AFPC/DPFF) will:

2.1.1. Issue a biennial DAF Voting Action Plan (VAP) https://www.fvap.gov/vao/directives

on approved coordination with AF/A1S. The DAF VAP remains in effect (with version 

updates) until superseded by a new plan issued in general election years only. The DAF VAP 

provides the operational guidance to effectively execute the Voting Assistance Program.

2.1.2. Establish and maintain a Voting Assistance Program homepage on the AFPC website 

https://www.afpc.af.mil/Benefits-and-Entitlements/Voting/.

2.1.3. Implement metric tracking and reporting as required by AF/A1S and the DoD FVAP 

Office.

2.1.4. Provide AF/A1S after-action reports and lessons learned reports in accordance with 

DoDI 1000.04, in the format specified by and for coordination to the DoD FVAP Office.

2.1.5. Provide information and responses to command and installation Voting Assistance 

Program questions, problems, or queries.

2.1.6. Train the AFPC Total Force Service Center (AFPC/TFSC) in providing 24/7 responses 

to queries from an IVAO, a Unit Voting Assistance Officer (UVAO), and eligible voters as 

defined in DoDI 1000.04 (see Terms in Attachment 1).

2.1.7. Ensure installation Voting Assistance Program activities are aligned under the 

installation Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC) with 24/7 support capability 

provided by the AFPC/TFSC.

2.2. Air Force Personnel Center Total Force Service Center (AFPC/TFSC) will:

2.2.1. Provide responses to queries from eligible voters who are unable to contact installation 

voting assistance support due to being stationed overseas or assigned outside their area of 

residency.

2.2.2. When necessary, refer questions and/or queries from the eligible voters to AFPC/DPFF 

for resolution.

2.2.3. Document voting assistance in the designated tracking system when provided via phone, 

email, or other means.

2.3. Air Reserve Component (ARC):

2.3.1. ARC units co-located or activated and mobilized on a DAF installation should refer 

members to the Installation Voting Assistance (IVA) Office within the A&FRC for voting 

assistance support. Co-located ARC units may also use the AFPC/TSFC identified in 

paragraph 2.2 as an additional source of information and assistance.

2.3.2. ARC units not co-located on a DAF installation, and units or members activated or 

deployed to a location not-supported by DAF or other host/tenant service agreements may use 

the AFPC/TFSC identified in paragraph 2.2 as the primary source of voting information and 

assistance.
6 DAFI36-3107 1 JULY 2021

2.4. DAF Installation Commanders will:

2.4.1. Designate the installation A&FRC as the IVA Office and as a Voter Registration 

Agency as defined in DoDI 1000.04 (Terms in Attachment 1). (T-0).

2.4.2. Appoint an IVAO, in writing, from the permanent federal government civilian staff at 

the A&FRC and send a copy of the appointment letter to AFPC/DPFF and the command voting 

action officer. (T-0). The designee should be GS-12 or higher; however, an enthusiastic 

volunteer at a lower grade may be designated. An alternate IVAO should also be appointed to 

ensure continuity during the absence of the primary IVAO.

2.4.3. Ensure IVAO training is completed within the time standards and documented as 

required in accordance DoDI 1000.04. (T-0).

2.4.4. Ensure unit commanders appoint, in writing, one UVAO assigned to each unit with 

permanently assigned active duty members. (T-0). The DAF standard unit is a squadron. To 

eliminate unnecessary additional duty assignments for administrative purposes, units with less 

than 25 permanently assigned active duty members will be serviced by the IVA Office. (T-1).

2.4.4.1. Commanders will ensure UVAOs are available and equipped to assist members 

of the Armed Forces for all elections. (T-0). UVAOs shall be provided the time and 

resources needed to perform their voting assistance duties. (T-0).

2.4.4.2. Commanders will require that UVAOs complete voting assistance training as 

prescribed in DoDI 1000.04 within 30 days of appointment. (T-0).

2.4.4.3. UVAOs should maintain a copy of the training certificate in a continuity folder or 

book as described in the DAF VAP.

2.4.4.4. Commanders will ensure that performance evaluations of Service members 

assigned as UVAOs include performance for this duty in accordance with DoDI 1000.04. 

(T-0).

2.4.5. Ensure availability of legal assistance advisors to provide answers to legal questions 

regarding residency issues and the right to vote. (T-1).

2.4.6. Ensure voting registration materials and assistance information is continually available 

at a well-advertised and fixed location on the installation such as the A&FRC or Military 

Personnel Flight. (T-0).

2.4.7. Ensure all personnel deploying in excess of six months are briefed on the absentee 

voting process and are afforded the opportunity to complete a Standard Form (SF) 76, Voter 

Registration and Absentee Ballot Request: Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). (T-0). A 

SF 186, Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB), may also be provided depending on the 

timing of the deployment in relation to a Federal election. The SF 76 and SF 186 are prescribed 

in DoDI 1000.04.

2.4.8. Ensure voting assistance information and support is identified in administrative 

checklists for in-processing, pre- and post- deployment, and detaching personnel. (T-0).
DAFI36-3107 1 JULY 2021 7

2.5. DAF Installation Voting Assistance (IVA) Office will:

2.5.1. Offer voting assistance services to all in- and out-processing personnel for permanent 

change of station or deployments of six months or longer; assigned personnel changing their 

mailing address; and upon request by military, civilian, contractors or any US citizen with 

access to the installation and IVA Office. (T-0). Members relocating in or out and those 

deploying will be provided a voting assistance information sheet (template found in DAF VAP) 

by the IVA Office during relocation or deployment processing. (T-3).

2.5.2. Advise uniformed service members who are being released from active duty that they 

should notify their local election office that they are no longer covered in accordance with 

DoDI 1000.04. (T-0). These departing service members will be provided the opportunity to 

submit a National Mail Voter Registration Form, available from the US Election Assistance 

Commission at https://www.eac.gov/voters/national-mail-voter-registration-form/ and per 

DoDI 1000.04. (T-0).

2.5.3. Upon request, provide the National Mail Voter Registration Form to federal civilian 

employees and other US citizens who have access to the IVA Office within the US, and to 

uniformed services voters who currently reside in their voting districts. (T-0).

2.5.4. Upon request, transmit completed voting registration forms (SF 76 or National Mail 

Voter Registration Form). (T-0). If voter decides to leave the form with the DAF IVA Office 

to be mailed, the DAF IVA office must mail the voting registration form within five calendar 

days. (T-0).

2.5.5. Maintain and collect voting program metrics in the FVAP Portal information system or 

submit to AFPC/DPFF and the DAF SVAO as prescribed in DoDI 1000.04. (T-0).

2.5.6. Establish/maintain a standard organizational email address in the form of 

vote.base@us.af.mil or similar format. (T-1). The IVA Office will also be equipped with a 

dedicated telephone with voicemail. (T-0).

2.5.7. Ensure all co-located ARC units and geographically separated units (GSUs) supported 

by a DAF installation are provided voting assistance. (T-0).

2.5.8. Provide voter assistance to those units with less than 25 permanently assigned active 

duty members, as shown in paragraph 2.4.4. (T-1).

2.6. DAF Installation Voting Assistance Officer (IVAO) will:

2.6.1. Report directly to the installation commander for FVAP matters. (T-0).

2.6.2. Establish a voting assistance program and ensure compliance in accordance with 

DoDI 1000.04. (T-0). The IVAO may use the DoD FVAP Installation Voter Assistance 

Office Handbook as a guide for administering the IVA Office. The DAF VAP, the FVAP 

VAP, and Voting Assistance Guide are available on the FVAP website at: 

https://www.fvap.gov/vao/directives and https://www.fvap.gov/, respectively.

2.6.3. Initiate a communication network that provides notification to DAF members of the last 

date before a general federal election upon which absentee ballots mailed from a postal facility 

supporting the installation can reasonably be expected to be timely delivered to the appropriate 

state and local election officials. (T-0).
8 DAFI36-3107 1 JULY 2021

2.6.4. Assist personnel (military and civilian) assigned to other uniformed services and GSUs 

with voting matters. (T-0). IVAOs are responsible for providing voting materials and training 

support to GSUs serviced by their installation and tenant units located on their installation, 

regardless of MAJCOM, FIELDCOM, component, or service affiliation. (T-1).

2.6.5. Coordinate FVAP IVAO and UVAO training workshop logistics and participation. 

(T-0).

2.6.6. Track installation metrics. (T-0). Refer to the current DAF VAP for metrics and format 

to track.

2.6.7. Ensure in-hand and electronic delivery of SF 76s between 1-15 January of each calendar 

year; and, between 1-15 July during even-numbered years to absent uniformed services 

personnel and Federal civilian employees and, as practicable, to their family members and 

other US citizens who have access to an IVA Office (within and outside the US). (T-0).

2.6.8. Conduct Armed Forces Voters Week (Overseas Citizen Voters Week for overseas 

bases) and Absentee Voters Week in accordance with the FVAP election Cycle Voting Action 

Plan. (T-0).

2.6.9. Maintain supply of printed voting materials to augment electronic versions to ensure 

sufficient availability of SFs 76, SFs 186, Voting Assistance Guides, and National Mail Voter 

Registration Forms to support voter emphasis weeks and at times when electronic means are 

restricted. (T-3).

2.6.10. Assist in a post-election survey in the manner specified by AFPC/DPFF and the SVAO 

to meet objectives defined by the FVAP Office. (T-0). DAF personnel will not poll members 

on their choice of or their vote for a specific candidate or party. (T-0).

2.6.11. Maintain a current continuity book for the installation Voting Assistance Program. 

(T-3). The DAF VAP provides a recommended format and content (electronic or paper).

2.6.12. Refrain from contacting state and local government officials regarding voting policy 

matters. (T-0). All legislative and other policy matters involving voting assistance and 

elections should be addressed to the SVAO. IVAOs may contact local election officials to 

help resolve any specific problem involving voter registration or absentee voting on behalf of 

a voter, or to engage appropriate local election official assistance for a voter registration drive 

or similar event on an installation.

2.6.13. Ensure non-permanently assigned (trainee, pipeline student, etc.) active duty/status 

military members at Air Education and Training Command locations are offered voting 

information and assistance before graduation from courses, on notice of permanent change of 

duty station, or detachment from the installation (proceeding to next training location). (T-1). 

These non-permanently assigned active duty/status members should not use temporary 

addresses on the SF 76 as it may delay ballot delivery.

2.6.14. Maintain a Voting Assistance Program page on the installation’s public website and 

the page will include links to the AFPC http://www.afpc.af.mil/Benefits-andEntitlements/Voting/ and FVAP https://www.fvap.gov/ voting websites as well as the IVA 

Office organizational email address. (T-0).
DAFI36-3107 1 JULY 2021 9

2.7. DAF Unit Voting Assistance Officer (UVAO) will:

2.7.1. Provide voting assistance within the assigned unit, either in-person or through virtual 

means. (T-0).

2.7.2. Ensure SFs 76 are delivered (either electronically or physically) to all military personnel 

of voting age—and ensure general form availability to all other eligible individuals within the 

unit of assignment, including dependents—for use in general, primary, and special elections. 

(T-0).

2.7.3. Provide SFs 76 and SFs 186 to absent uniformed services personnel and their family 

members seeking assistance, within and outside of the US and to federal civilian employees 

and other US citizens seeking assistance within the unit of assignment. (T-0).

2.7.4. Assist the IVAO with Armed Forces Voters Week and Absentee Voters Week. (T-0).

2.7.5. Maintain and submit voting program metrics as prescribed by FVAP. (T-0).

2.8. DAF Military Personnel Flight will:

2.8.1. Include the IVA Office for all in- and out-processing personnel for relocation or 

deployments of six months or more. (T-0).

2.8.2. Refer members changing their address to the IVA Office for assistance in updating their 

information with local election officials. (T-0).

2.8.3. Support IVAO requests for products, lists, etc., of personnel serviced by the Military 

Personnel Flight (including tenant units, GSUs, operating locations, etc.). (T-1).

JOHN A. FEDRIGO, SES

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary

(Manpower and Reserve Affairs)
10 DAFI36-3107 1 JULY 2021

Attachment 1

GLOSSARY OF REFERENCES AND SUPPORTING INFORMATION

References

AFPD 36-31, Personal Affairs, 30 July 2018

DAFI 33-360, Publications and Forms Management, 1 December 2015

AFI 33-322, Records Management and Information Governance Program, 23 March 2020

DoDI 1000.04, Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP), 12 November 2019

Title 52 United States Code Section 20506, Voter Registration Agencies

Prescribed Forms

None

Adopted Forms

AF Form 847, Recommendation for Change of Publication

SF 76, Voter Registration and Absentee Ballot Request: Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)

SF 186, Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB)

National Mail Voter Registration Form

Abbreviations and Acronyms

A&FRC—Airman and Family Readiness Center

AF—Air Force

AF/A1—Deputy Chief of Staff, Manpower, Personnel and Services

AF/A1S—Director Air Force Services

AFI—Air Force Instruction

AFPC—Air Force Personnel Center

AFPC/DPFF—Air Force Personnel Center Directorate of Airman and Family Care

AFPC/TFSC—Air Force Personnel Center Total Force Service Center

AFPD—Air Force Policy Directive

ARC—Air Reserve Component

DAF—Department of the Air Force

DAFI—Department of the Air Force Instruction

DoD—Department of Defense

DoDI—Department of Defense Instruction

FLDCOM—Field Command
DAFI36-3107 1 JULY 2021 11

FVAP—Federal Voting Assistance Program

GSUs—Geographically separated units

IVA Office—Installation Voter Assistance Office

IVAO—Installation Voting Assistance Officer

MAJCOM—Major command

OPR—Office of Primary Responsibility

RegAF—Regular Air Force

SAF/IG—Secretary of the Air Force Office of the Inspector General

SAF/MR—Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs

SF—Standard Form

SVAO—Air Force Services Voting Action Officer

US—United States

USSF—United States Space Force

UVAO—Unit Voting Assistance Officer

VAP—Voting Action Plan

Terms

Eligible voter—applies to any of the following:

(1). Absent uniformed services voter:

a. A member of a uniformed service on active duty who, by reason of such active duty, is absent 

from the place of residence where the member is otherwise qualified to vote.

b. A member of the merchant marine who, by reason of service in the merchant marine, is absent 

from the place of residence where the member is otherwise qualified to vote. 

c. A spouse or dependent of a member referred to in the first two sentences of this definition 

who, by reason of the active duty or service of the member, is absent from the place of residence

where the spouse or dependent is otherwise qualified to vote.

(2). Overseas voter:

a. An absent uniformed services voter who, by reason of active duty or service, is absent from 

the United States on the date of the election involved;

b. A person who resides outside of the United States and is qualified to vote in the last place in 

which the person was domiciled before leaving the United States; or

c. A person who resides outside of the United States and (but for such residence) would be 

qualified to vote in the last place in which the person was domiciled before leaving the United 

States.

Voter Registration Agency—an office designated pursuant to section 52 United States Code 

§20506, Voter Registration Agencies, to perform voter registration activities. A recruitment office 

of the military services is considered to be a voter registration agency. All IVA Offices are also 

designated as voter registration agencies in accordance with DoDI 1000.04.