FVAP Announces Changes to ETS System for 2018

FVAP Announces Changes to Legacy Electronic Transmission Service for 2018

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Beginning January 1, 2018, the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) will provide an email-to-fax conversion service for voters who have difficulty sending election materials to States that do not accept emailed documents.

Voters in States that allow for email submission of registration requests, and return of voted ballots, should send those materials directly to their election officials. In the past, FVAP has forwarded email-to-email transmissions, but, when direct communication is possible, there is no benefit or purpose for FVAP to be included in a transaction between the voter and election office.

Beginning January 1, 2018 the following changes will go into effect:

  • Voters whose States accept materials by email or regular mail will be instructed to send those materials directly to their election officials;
  • FVAP will provide the "fax@fvap.gov" service for voters whose jurisdictions only permit faxing for electronic return of their election materials; and
  • Voters faxing materials will be encouraged to send the fax directly to their election office whenever possible.

As always, FVAP is available to assist voters and election officials who experience issues during the absentee voting process. If you have questions regarding these changes, or would like additional information on which methods of material return are accepted in your state, please visit us at www.fvap.gov or contact us at vote@fvap.gov.

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Federal Voting Assistance Program
The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) is a Department of Defense (DoD) organization that works to ensure Service members, their eligible family members, and overseas citizens are aware of their right to vote and have the tools and resources to successfully do so - from anywhere in the world.

FVAP assists voters through partnerships with the Military Services, Department of State, Department of Justice, and election officials from 50 States, U.S. territories and the District of Columbia. State and local governments administer U.S. elections, including those for federal offices. FVAP supports State and local election officials by providing absentee voting information, materials, training and guidance.

Voters can contact FVAP's call center at 703-588-1584 (toll free 1-800-438-VOTE or DSN 425-1584) or email vote@fvap.gov. Toll-free phone numbers from 67 countries are listed at FVAP.gov. Find FVAP on Facebook at facebook.com/DoDFVAP and follow @FVAP on Twitter.

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