Speak up! Published Feb. 11, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Rebekah Phy 305th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs McGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. -- The future is in your hands ... literally! And, though it may sound cliché, every voice (and vote) really does count. It's election time, and for servicemembers and their families, the Federal Voting Assistance Program is here to provide assistance. The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act covers the voting rights of active-duty members of the Uniformed Services, members of the Merchant Marine, their eligible family members and citizens residing outside of the U.S. The FVAP carries out the responsibilities of the Act by informing and educating U.S. citizens worldwide of their right to vote, fostering voting participation, and protecting and enhancing the electoral process at the federal, state and local levels. "Voting assistance officers, through the FVAP, are here to assist all servicemembers and their families, if needed, in the voting process," said Maj. Daniel Castiglia, installation voting assistance officer. According to the FVAP Web site, VAOs are responsible for providing accurate, non-partisan voting information and assistance to citizens attempting to exercise their Constitutional right to vote. Being proactive is the best thing a voter can do, Major Castiglia said. "Seek out your unit voting assistance officer, obtain absentee voting materials and, most importantly, vote!" he said. A main objective of the FVAP seems to be educating servicemembers about the importance of voting. The importance of voting is echoed in a letter from the chief of staff and secretary of the Air Force, they said, "The outcome of these elections will influence the 'weave' of our nation's future fabric." For more information about voting or the FVAP, visit www.afcrossroads.com/votefund/vote/default.htm and www.fvap.gov.