Secretary Raffensperger to Military: “Our Heroes Must Be Heard at the Ballot Box”

February 13th, 2024

Atlanta - Secretary Raffensperger is reminding our armed forces and those living abroad that their right to vote does not only extend to their physical address within Georgia. The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) is the backbone of military and overseas voting in the United States. Eligible individuals, such as U.S citizens serving in the military aboard, working overseas, and their family members, are extended protections that allow them to participate in elections and cast their votes securely while overseas.

Citizens who are eligible for UOCAVA may receive their ballots electronically or by traditional mail by using the Federal Post Card Application. One request may be made for every election in the current election cycle. For electronic ballot delivery, applicants are reminded to provide a valid email address on the application, and this option is exclusively available for federal elections. Any inquiries can be directed to [email protected].

"Every military hero, serving both at home and abroad, embodies the spirit of sacrifice and commitment to safeguard our constitutional rights. Their voices must be actively heard at the ballot box,” said Secretary Raffensperger. “The ballot box is where their sacrifices truly resonate, shaping our nation for the values in which they stand.”

Download the Federal Post Card Application to get started on your request for the 2024 election cycle. Your county election office – or the election office in the county you lived in prior to your federal service – will be able to verify your UOCAVA status. As a military member or overseas resident, UOCAVA provides many allowances for ensuring that your right to vote is preserved, and that your voice is heard.

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Georgia is recognized as a national leader in elections. It was the first state in the country to implement the trifecta of automatic voter registration, at least 17 days of early voting (which has been called the “gold standard”), and no-excuse absentee voting. Georgia continues to set records for voter turnout and election participation, seeing the largest increase in average turnout of any other state in the 2018 midterm election and record turnout in 2020, and 2022. 2022 achieved the largest single day of in-person early voting turnout in Georgia midterm history utilizing Georgia’s secure, paper ballot voting system. Most recently, Georgia ranked #1 for Election Integrity by the Heritage Foundation, a top ranking for Voter Accessibility by the Center for Election Innovation & Research and tied for number one in Election Administration by the Bipartisan Policy Center.