Commentary: Voting: Do we take our choice for granted?

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt Christopher Price
  • 48th Fighter Wing Assistance Officer
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Imagine a world, where as a military member, you do not have the right to vote, and if you are a citizen of voting age, you must vote...whether you like it or not. Failure to do so would result in fines, not being able to work in the public sector, obtain a loan from a public bank or even get a passport. This world currently exists, and I grew up in one of 30 countries that are subject to this mandatory voting, also known as compulsory voting. Having lived in several countries overseas, finally settling in my mother's home country of Ecuador at the age of six, I had the great fortune to experience a diverse and unique life surrounded by many different cultures and social norms that allowed me to view the world through multiple lenses. While I wasn't eligible to vote in Ecuadorian elections, the process my mother and all of her family had to go through each election cycle affected us all, from having to travel to my family's province (state) of origin during election weekend, to not being able to access basic goods and services, since businesses shut down so owners and employees could travel to their respective provinces and ensure they got their vote in on time. We watched heavily armed police and military take to the streets to ensure people were obeying the "no alcohol during election weekend" law, and controlling the multiple protests and riots led by those that opposed the political climate of that time.

I say all this without judgment, as I didn't know any better. It was just how things were. It wasn't until I moved to the United States at the age of 19 to join the Air Force and pledge allegiance to a country I had never lived in, that I experienced firsthand the freedoms my family in Ecuador could not, and where I earned a greater love and appreciation for the U.S. and the rights we sometimes take for granted. 

This is why being appointed as RAF Lakenheath's Installation Voting Assistance Officer is important to me. I've learned how much the U.S. truly values ALL of its citizen's rights...even those overseas.  That is why on August 28th, 1986, President Ronald Reagan signed into law the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act. This act provides the means for U.S. citizens, military and civilian, to cast their vote, via the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot. These ballots can be mailed to you by your state voting office, or can also be found at your local Installation Voting Assistance Office, located in the customer service section of the MPS, building 977. Each unit and detachment also has a Unit Voting Assistance Officer that can supply them with Federal Post Card Applications and answer questions concerning the voting process. Other resources to help overseas citizens with the voting process can be found at the Federal Voting Assistance Program website at FVAP.gov.  This site offers a vast amount of information, to include state specific information such as state guidelines and primary election dates.

The RAF Lakenheath Installation VAO team is always here to assist you with will all your voting needs, so please feel free to reach out and let us help you make your vote count!