Get ready to vote ... now!

  • Published
  • By Capt. Tim Smith
  • 459th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office
Isn't this one of the most exciting times in American presidential campaign history? So much energy and interest has been generated this election year by both of America's major political parties. And all you have to do to be a part of this developing history is vote!

But to vote for your candidate, whether he or she be democrat, republican, independent or other, you must register. If you have are not currently registered to vote, do so now! The deadlines are quickly approaching (see registration deadlines at bottom of page).

All Americans of legal voting age should register, whether civilian or military. Military voters should pay particular attention to voting deadlines due to deployments. Even if a servicemember deploys prior to the election date, s/he still has the right to vote, a right to be heard. And that's what your vote is; it's your voice.

But, to be heard and make your vote count, as a deployed servicemember, you will have to do an absentee ballot. The absentee ballot is a form that allows you to write in who you wish to vote for. And a great thing about it is you can send the form in to your county's voting office at no cost to you.

Of course, absentee voting is not exclusive to military voters. Civilians can do it too! But remember to vote, you must be registered.

In the District of Columbia, voters have until Oct. 6 to send in their postmarked Mail-In Voter Registration Applications or to complete walk-in voter registration.

In Maryland, voters have until Oct. 14 to send in their postmarked applications to vote in the general election. You may also register in person at one of Maryland's voter registration locations.

In Virginia, like DC, voters have until Oct 6 to send in their postmarked applications or to register in person at one of Virginia's voter registration locations. They're located in the counties and some cities. See the websites below for more information.

To get more information on voting, military voters should talk to their unit Voting Assistance Officers. And both military and civilian voters can get more information by clicking on the links below to see the election websites for the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. And don't forget to note the voter registration deadlines also listed below.

To vote in the General Election!

DC Voter Registration Deadline: Oct 6, 2008

Contact the DC Board of Elections at 866-328-6837

http://www.dcboee.org/

MD Voter Registration Deadline: Oct 14, 2008

Contact the Maryland State Board of Elections at 800-222-8683

http://www.elections.state.md.us/

VA Voter Registration Deadline: Oct 6, 2008

Contact Virginia State Board of Elections at 800-552-9745

http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/

Presidential Election Day: Tuesday, Nov 4, 2008