R 151717ZAUG08
MARADMIN 450/08
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC/MR//
SUBJ:  ARMED FORCES VOTERS WEEK 31 AUGUST - 7 SEPTEMBER 08
REF/MCO 1742.1A
POC/DAVID JAMES/YA-2/UNIT: MRP-4/-/TEL: 703-784-9511//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  ON 4 NOVEMBER 2008, THE UNITED STATES WILL ELECT A NEW PRESIDENT.  THE FAST APPROACHING ELECTION MEANS IT IS TIME FOR ALL MARINE COMMANDS TO MAKE THEIR LAST PUSH TOWARDS DISSEMINATING ABSENTEE VOTING INFORMATION TO ALL MARINES AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS.  OUR GOAL IS TO CONTACT 100% OF OUR ELIGIBLE VOTING POPULATION TO PROVIDE ABSENTEE VOTING INFORMATION AND TO ASSIST THEM IN REGISTERING TO VOTE WITH THEIR HOME STATE.
2.  31 AUGUST   7 SEPTEMBER 2008, HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS ARMED FORCES VOTERS WEEK. THIS WEEK MARKS THE LAST WEEK THAT AN INTERESTED VOTER CAN COMPLETE AND SEND IN A FEDERAL POST CARD APPLICATION (SF-76) TO REGISTER TO VOTE AND REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT FROM THEIR LOCAL ELECTION OFFICE. DURING ARMED FORCES VOTERS WEEK, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ALL COMMANDS:
A. ENSURE UNIT VOTING ASSISTANCE OFFICERS ARE ASSIGNED, TRAINED AND PREPARED TO ASSIST ALL ELIGIBLE VOTERS WITH VOTER REGISTRATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH MCO 1742.1A, ENCLOSURE 1, PAR (12). 
B. EMPHASIZE AT FORMATIONS AND GATHERINGS THE IMPORTANCE OF REGISTERING NOW TO ENSURE THEY CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE ELECTION.  SPECIAL EMPHASIS SHOULD BE GIVEN TO MARINES/ELIGIBLE VOTERS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 18-26.
C. ENSURE MOTIVATIONAL VOTING POSTERS AND BANNERS HAVE BEEN DISPLAYED IN COMMUNAL AREAS TO REMIND MEMBERS OF THE UPCOMING ELECTION AND THE IMPORTANCE OF REGISTERING. 
D. ENCOURAGE MARINES/ELIGIBLE VOTERS NOT CURRENTLY REGISTERED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE VOTING PROCESS.
E. COORDINATE ARMED FORCES VOTERS WEEK ACTIVITIES WITH ALL BASE/STATION VOTING ASSISTANCE OFFICERS IN ORDER TO MAXIMIZE THE EFFORT.
F. PUBLISH ARTICLES ON THE ELECTION IN BASE/STATION NEWSPAPERS AND IN OTHER INTERNAL MEDIA, INCLUDING PLAN OF THE DAY AND CLOSED-CIRCUIT TELEVISION.
3.  I AM CONFIDENT THAT WELL COORDINATED ARMED FORCES VOTERS WEEK ACTIVITIES WILL ENSURE THAT ANYONE INTERESTED IN VOTING WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE AND HAVE THEIR VOTE COUNTED. 
4.  RELEASE AUTHORIZED BY MR. T. R. LARSEN, DIRECTOR, PERSONAL AND FAMILY READINESS DIVISION.//