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Federal Voting Assistance Program

JBSA Federal Voting Assistance Program

As an American citizen, one of our most important and fundamental rights is the ability to participate in the democratic process through voting. The Federal Voting Assistance Program, or FVAP, ensures service members, their eligible family members, and overseas citizens have the tools and resources to do so - from anywhere in the world.

Voting Assistance Officers, or VAOs, serve at the installation and unit levels.

The Joint Base San Antonio Commander has appointed, in writing, Installation Voting Assistance Officers, or IVAOs, who staff an Installation Voter Assistance Office at each of the Military & Family Readiness Centers below.

Unit/Squadron Commanders appoint, in writing, Unit Voting Assistance Officers, or UVAOs, who provide voting assistance and outreach within the unit.

Additional Resources

VOTING NEWS

IMPORTANT UPCOMING VOTING DATES & INFORMATION

For absentee voters:\

 

S- State Primary; R- State Runoff (if necessary) *Dates subject to change*

March 2026 – 30 Day Notice:
March 3: Arkansas (S), North Carolina (S), Texas (S)
March 10: Georgia CD 14 (Special Election), Mississippi (S)
March 17: Illinois (S)
March 31: Arkansas (R)

April 2026 – 60 Day Notice:
April 7: Georgia CD 14 Special Election, Mississippi (R)
April 16: New Jersey CD 11 (Special General)
April 18: Louisiana (S)

May 2026 – 90 Day Notice:
May 5: Indiana (S), Ohio (S)
May 12: Nebraska (S), North Carolina (R), West Virginia (S)
May 19: Alabama (S), Georgia (S), Idaho (S), Kentucky (S), Oregon (S), Pennsylvania (S)
May 26: Texas (R)
May 30: Louisiana (R)

2026 State Primary Elections: To register and request an absentee ballot use FVAP’s easy online assistant at www.fvap.gov/FPCA to walk you through state-specific form completion. Once you complete the FPCA, print, sign, and send it to your election office. Most states accept the FPCA by email or fax while some require it by mail. Check your state-specific guidelines at FVAP.gov.

Once you receive your requested absentee ballot, vote and return it as soon as you get it. Remember to carefully follow the instructions, especially using a “security envelope” if required, and sign the package as indicated when returning it. To save time, send voted ballots electronically if allowed by state law. Voters can check if their state accepts completed absentee ballots by email, fax, or via an online portal at FVAP.gov/guide. If a requested ballot has not arrived, use the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB) immediately at www.fvap.gov/FWAB. It works like a backup ballot. If your official absentee ballot arrives after sending in the FWAB, complete and send in the official ballot, too. Only one will be counted. To make sure the voted ballot is received by your state. Go to FVAP.gov, click on your state and then the "check the status of your voted ballot" button.

To find your state's election website for specific information on candidates, elections, contact information, and links to your local election offices, visit FVAP.gov and select your state from the dropdown menu. You can also reach out directly to your election office for status updates on your registration and absentee ballot.

Georgia Special Election for U.S. Congressional District 14: The State of Georgia will conduct a U.S. Congressional District 14 special general election on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. Service members, eligible family members, and overseas citizens can register to vote until Feb. 9, 2026, and request an absentee ballot by email, fax, or mail until Feb. 27. Ballots must be postmarked by March 10, 2026, but still must be received by the 3rd day after the election. Detailed instructions and county contact information are available at (Georgia) FVAP.gov. (https://www.fvap.gov/guide/chapter2/georgia) Voters can verify the status of their voting materials by contacting their election office directly. Special Runoff Election (if necessary) The special runoff election (if required) will be on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. Service members, eligible family members, and overseas citizens will receive an instant runoff ballot with their general election ballot package. They may also register to vote until March 9, 2026, and request an absentee ballot by email, fax, or mail until March 27. Ballots must be postmarked by April 7, 2026 but still must be received by the 3rd day after the election. Detailed instructions and county contact information are available at (Georgia) FVAP.gov. (https://www.fvap.gov/guide/chapter2/georgia) Voters can verify the status of their voting materials by contacting their election office directly.

Voters can use the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to register to vote, request a ballot, and update any contact information by using the completion tool available at fvap.gov/FPCA or by using the fillable PDF version. After completing the FPCA, voters must print, sign, and send it to their local election office.

Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB)
If a requested ballot has not arrived, use the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB) immediately at fvap.gov/FWAB via https://www.fvap.gov/fwab-privacy-notice as a backup ballot. If your official absentee ballot arrives after sending in the FWAB, complete and send in the official ballot, too. Only one will be counted.

To make sure your voted ballot is received, go to FVAP.gov, select your state from the pulldown menu and then click the "check the status of your voted ballot" button.

The Department of War is required to send this email notification starting 90 days before each election for federal office. This information is current as of Aug. 31, 2025. As updates may occur, please check the election calendars and state guidelines at FVAP.gov for real time information.

For additional information on the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP), or need help with the absentee voting process, please go to FVAP.gov, call 703-588-1584 (toll free 1-800-438-VOTE or DSN 425-1584), or email (vote@fvap.govor reach out to your Installation Voting Assistance Officer (IVAO) located at the Military & Family Readiness Center (M&FRC) via the following contact listing https://www.fvap.gov/info/contact and click on your branch of service

The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by Joint Base San Antonio, the United States Air Force, or the Department of War of the external website, or the information, products, or services contained therein.

JBSA-Fort Sam Houston

Installation Voting Office
210-221-8683

vote.fortsamhouston@us.af.mil

Military & Family Readiness Center
3060 Stanley Road, building 2797
JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, Texas 78234

JBSA-Lackland

Installation Voting Office
210-671-3723

vote.lackland@us.af.mil

Military & Family Readiness Center
1550 Wurtsmith St, building 5725, room 212
JBSA-Lackland, Texas 78236

JBSA-Randolph

Installation Voting Office
210-652-3112

vote.randolph@us.af.mil

Military & Family Readiness Center
555 F Street West, building 693 
JBSA-Randolph, Texas 78150