Voter Awareness Brief

Voter Awareness Brief

Introduction VOTING HISTORY FACTS ELIGIBILITY LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD RESOURCES

Voting History Facts 14th Amendment (1868) Males/21 yrs old 15th Amendment (1870) Eliminated Race Base Qualification to Vote 17th Amendment (1913) Elect US Senators by popular vote after they had previously been elected by the State Legislatures 19th Amendment (1920) Extended Voting Rights to Females 24th Amendment (1964) Poll taxes prohibited 26th Amendment (1971) Age reduced to 18

Voting History Facts Percentage of eligible voters who cast a vote for President in 2004 60%

Military Voters Participation Voting Participation Data P e rc e n ta g e 90 80 78 79 77 80 70 60 2000 50 40 2004 30 20 10 0 Army Navy Air Force Services Marine Corps

Voting Information Each State controls it’s own elections You can vote in your state of legal residency You can vote in all elections where your are eligible You can only vote in one state You cannot arbitrarily choose a state Contact your Legal Office for residency questions

Your Responsibility Ensure you are eligible to vote Register to Vote before the deadline Keep your contact information up to date Vote your ballot when you receive it Ensure you follow directions on the registration and ballot

How to register Fill out the SF-76 Federal Post Card Application - Get copy of FPCA from UVAO - Get copy of FPCA on Line at: www.manpower.uamc.mil/voting, or www.fvap.gov Follow the directions for your state in Chapter 3 of the Voting Assistance Guide

Voter Turn-out from 19602004 Presidential Election Voter Turnout 1960-2004 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 Turnout

Voter Turn-out by Age in USA 80% 2000 70% 2004 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74

ELIGIBILITY U.S. Citizen 18 Years of Age Stationed away from Home or Record, in or outside of continental United States (Military/Family Members/Civilian) Other requirements vary by state of residence

LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD Reasons to Vote Silence is consent Right to vote Responsibility to society

Resources Unit Voting Assistance Officer 2008-2009 Voting Assistance Guide 2008-09 USMC Voting Action Plan www.fvap.gov www.manpower.usmc.mil/voting

USMC Voting Webpage

Summary VOTING HISTORY FACTS ELIGIBILITY RESOURCES

QUESTIONS