OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. — The Secretary of the Air Force issued new guidance to Air Force Instruction 36-3107 in August implementing changes that re-align Installation Voting Assistance office responsibilities, update Air Force Personnel Center responsibilities, and clarify Unit Voting Assistance Officer responsibilities.

Units with over 25 personnel are required to have a UVAO and larger units will be required to have one per every 50 members.

The Federal Voting Assistance Program and the Installation Voting Assistance office help ensure Airmen and their eligible family members have the tools and resources necessary to exercise their right to vote.

The IVA office is available to assist with voting dates and locations, obtaining absentee ballots, and a host of other services to ensure members are mission ready and not bogged down with undue stress related to voting.

“As Congress and the courts have repeatedly affirmed, voting is a citizen’s most fundamental right,” said Kevin Dowell, Offutt Air Force Base’s primary Installation Voting Assistance Officer.

Members of the military, their families and U.S. citizens living abroad face unique challenges to participate in U.S. elections, but the IVA office wants to ensure they have the chance to vote wherever they are in the world.

“Your IVA office is here to help you exercise the very right you protect – your right to vote,” said Randy Norwood, Offutt AFB’s alternate IVAO.

Each government department is required to distribute balloting materials and develop a program of information and education for all covered employees and family members.