Fort Bliss Monitor

Troop Talk

There are 124 days until the Nov. 2 General Election. Five months may seem a long way off, but it is important that Soldiers ensure they are eligible to vote so their votes can be counted.

In most cases, the process for voting is easy, and simply requires Soldiers to fill out a Federal Post Card Application form to vote absentee in the states in which they are registered to vote. Soldiers can obtain FPCAs from the Voting Assistance Officers in their units.

Fort Bliss currently has 130 VAOs, who can assist Soldiers with filling out FPCAs, answering questions or providing information about different political parties. Soldiers should also visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program Website www.fvap.gov, which provides a variety of services, such as a Voting Information Center, which allows callers to hear messages from U.S. senators, representatives and governors. The Website also provides election calendars, links to state and federal sites and information on political organizations. Soldiers can also download publications and forms, including the online FPCA form.

Fort Bliss will also host a variety of activities during the month of August to promote voting among Soldiers and civilians, and the Installation Voting Assistance Office will have personnel outside the commissary and Post Exchange each Saturday and Sunday in August to provide information and assistance to families who want to vote. But let’s not wait until then! Let’s make sure we are eligible and ready to vote now.

Remember, we as Soldiers have a greater responsibility to vote. Soldiers are well informed on the foreign and domestic policies of our government. Our lives and the lives of our families are directly impacted by what decisions our leaders in government make. We also are sworn to protect and defend this nation against all enemies foreign and domestic, and in some cases sacrificing our lives for the freedom we enjoy. So, regardless of our political affiliation, let’s let our voices be heard. Remember, we are voting for many congressional leaders, but more importantly for a commander in chief.

Maj. Gen. Michael A. Vane
Fort Bliss Commanding General



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	July 8, 2004

	Troop Talk There are 124 days until the Nov. 2 General Election. Five months may seem a long way off, but it is important that Soldiers ensure they are eligible to vote so their votes can be counted. In most cases, the process for voting is easy, and simply requires Soldiers to fill out a Federal Post Card Application form to vote absentee in the states in which they are registered to vote. Soldiers can obtain FPCAs from the Voting Assistance Officers in their units. Fort Bliss currently has 130 VAOs, who can assist Soldiers with filling out FPCAs, answering questions or providing information about different political parties. Soldiers should also visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program Website www.fvap.gov, which provides a variety of services, such as a Voting Information Center, which allows callers to hear messages from U.S. senators, representatives and governors. The Website also provides election calendars, links to state and federal sites and information on political organizations. Soldiers can also download publications and forms, including the online FPCA form. Fort Bliss will also host a variety of activities during the month of August to promote voting among Soldiers and civilians, and the Installation Voting Assistance Office will have personnel outside the commissary and Post Exchange each Saturday and Sunday in August to provide information and assistance to families who want to vote. But let’s not wait until then! Let’s make sure we are eligible and ready to vote now. Remember, we as Soldiers have a greater responsibility to vote. Soldiers are well informed on the foreign and domestic policies of our government. Our lives and the lives of our families are directly impacted by what decisions our leaders in government make. We also are sworn to protect and defend this nation against all enemies foreign and domestic, and in some cases sacrificing our lives for the freedom we enjoy. So, regardless of our political affiliation, let’s let our voices be heard. Remember, we are voting for many congressional leaders, but more importantly for a commander in chief. Maj. Gen. Michael A. Vane Fort Bliss Commanding General