Inspector General Robert P. Storch announced today that the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General released the “Evaluation of DoD Voting Assistance Programs for Calendar Year 2023.”
This evaluation’s findings underscore the important role of the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) Office in providing effective outreach and assistance to eligible voters covered by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.
“It is crucial that Service members, their families, and eligible voters living outside of the United States are aware of the resources available to exercise their right to vote while abroad,” said IG Storch. “The Federal Voting Assistance Program is vitally important in maintaining the integrity of the U.S. Electoral system and ensuring that all eligible voters have the opportunity to participate in the democratic process.”
The DoD OIG found that the FVAP Office coordinated with the Uniformed Services, election officials, eligible voters, and Congress to promote awareness of the right to vote and the resources to exercise that right. Specifically, the FVAP Office met statutory and policy requirements regarding access and outreach through multiple actions, including Service, election official, and stakeholder engagement; direct assistance to eligible voters; research and evaluation of relevant policies, programs, and initiatives; and congressional reporting.
The evaluation concluded that eligible voters had access to the information necessary to participate in the voting process. Additionally, DoD organizations complied with Federal law and DoD policy, and leaders had the tools to help ensure voting access. The DoD OIG did not make any recommendations in the report.