Airmen can pick their boss with a single vote

  • Published
  • By Capt. Allison Ecung
  • 514th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  The right to vote is a freedom guaranteed to all Americans that should not be taken lightly.

When our country was founded very few individuals were allowed the privilege to vote, and it took nearly 200 years to extend that right to all citizens. As members of our nation's armed forces it is even more important to exercise our political authority to select the leaders who will create and decide military policies.

The right to vote represents the ability to exercise political authority and it is important to take part in the process of selecting the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

Some servicemembers may believe it is too complicated to register to vote when they're stationed away from home because they are unsure of the process and end up choosing to simply not vote.

Another argument often heard is that personnel don't vote because they don't like either of the two main parties or the candidates. Although there are several political party affiliations within the nation, it is important to understand the Defense Department does not support any particular party, so individuals should be sure to research candidates to make the most informed vote possible.

Servicemembers have the opportunity to register for any party or as an independent voter. Servicemembers can research political parties through various methods including the Federal Voting Assistance Program website at www.fvap.gov.

Every base has some form of voting assistance program to help military members and their families vote even when stationed outside of their state of residence. Assistance is also available for personnel deployed to remote locations. By contacting local voting assistance representatives, servicemembers can receive help with voting by polls or absentee ballots.

Registering to vote via absentee ballot from a servicemember's home state is easy with help from the voting assistance program office.

Some people feel that due to the Electoral College their vote doesn't matter. In most states the winner of the majority of popular votes receives all electoral votes for the state. Once a candidate receives a certain number of the electoral vote they are declared the winner.

Unfortunately this means that a candidate can win a large election without receiving the majority of the popular votes depending on which states they win. Service members should not be discouraged by this since it ensures fair representation no matter where they live. Each vote is still imperative, especially when considering examples like Florida during the 2000 presidential election and 2012 Iowa republican primary. In both cases, absentee ballots were critical to deciding the outcome when the margin of difference was only a few hundred votes. Every single vote counted, particularly the absentee ballots from military members overseas and out of state.

This voting season make sure to visit the voting assistance program office to register and vote in upcoming elections.

"The voter assistance program gives members an opportunity to exercise their right; it's an extension of our duty," said Maj. Stephanie Sweet, 514th Air Mobility Wing voting assistance officer. "Families should know the importance of it and the benefits."