An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Resource | Jan. 28, 2021

Voting (Military)

Coast Guard Federal Voting Assistance Program

While many Coast Guard military members and their families will be far from home on Election Days, they will be able to cast their votes -- thanks to absentee ballots and the Coast Guard's Voting Assistance Program. 

The Voting Assistance Guide and your Command Voting Assistance Officer can assist you with registering and requesting a ballot using the Federal Postcard Application (FPCA) Standard Form 76. Completing the FPCA and sending it to your local voting jurisdiction is all it takes.

The best time to apply for an absentee ballot is more than 90 days before the election.

In most states, ballots are mailed to voters 45 days before the election.

Remember, every vote counts. You are a part of this nation's way of life by exercising your right to vote!

How to Register for an FVAP Portal Account:

  1. Visit www.fvap.gov.
  2. Look for the Admin Portal (small print) link in the bottom right hand corner of the page.
  3. Click on the link and follow the instructions.
  4. Ensure you register as a UVAO or Recruiting Officer, as appropriate.

Useful Information:


The U.S. Department of Defense is committed to making its electronic and information technologies accessible to individuals with disabilities in accordance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794d), as amended in 1998. DoD websites use the WCAG 2.0 AA accessibility standard.

For persons with disabilities experiencing difficulties accessing content on a particular website, please use the form DoD Section 508 Form.  In this form, please indicate the nature of your accessibility issue/problem and your contact information so we can address your issue or question. If your issue involves log in access, password recovery, or other technical issues, contact the administrator for the website in question, or your local helpdesk.