The upcoming 2024 United States Presidential Election In New Mexico is generating significant attention, and for military personnel stationed at bases like Holloman Air Force Base, understanding how to participate is crucial. To ensure every service member has the opportunity to cast their ballot, a Department of Defense-led Federal Voter Assistance Program (FVAP) workshop was held at Holloman AFB on April 24, 2024. This proactive initiative underscores the commitment to maximizing military voter turnout in New Mexico and across the nation.
The FVAP workshop directly addresses the responsibilities outlined in the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) of 1986. This act protects the voting rights of uniformed service members, their families, and overseas citizens. Voter Assistance Officers (VAOs) are at the heart of this effort, serving as essential resources to educate U.S. citizens worldwide about their voting rights. Their mission is to increase voter participation and combat misinformation surrounding the voting process for service members.
Sarah Gooch, a program analyst with the DoD FVAP, highlighted the workshop’s objective: “We provide the tools for trainers to go out to their units and help military members be better informed with the voting process.” These tools empower VAOs to guide their fellow service members through every step of the election, from registration to ballot submission, particularly important in the context of the 2024 united states presidential election in new mexico.
Every unit at Holloman Air Force Base has designated primary and alternate VAOs, ready to assist both first-time and experienced voters. These officers are trained to answer questions, clarify procedures, and provide the necessary resources for military personnel to exercise their right to vote, regardless of their location.
Gooch emphasized the high stakes of the upcoming elections, extending beyond the presidential race. “In addition to the president of the United States, 34 U.S. Senate seats, all 435 House of Representative seats, Governors in 13 states and three territories and more are all up for grabs,” she stated. This broad scope underscores the importance of informed participation at all levels of government. For residents of New Mexico, this election also includes local races and potentially state-level initiatives, making voter education even more critical within the state.
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Devin Lunnon, the noncommissioned officer in charge of command support staff for the 49th Force Support Squadron and a VAO alternate, shared his experience. He often encounters the misconception that “People often think they have to physically be in their home state to actually vote.” VAOs actively dispel this myth, ensuring service members understand their absentee voting options and how to effectively participate in elections, including the 2024 united states presidential election in new mexico.
Lunnon finds his role as a VAO personally rewarding, stating that he values the opportunity to “interact with service members from various parts of the base, spouses and other civilians and teach them something about voting that they might not know.” This direct engagement is vital for fostering a culture of civic participation within the military community at Holloman and beyond.
For any service members or civilians at Holloman Air Force Base seeking voter assistance, the Holloman Voting Assistance Office, located in the Military and Family Readiness Center, is a readily available resource. They can be contacted directly at 575-572-7754. As the 2024 election cycle progresses, ensuring military voices are heard in New Mexico and across the United States remains a paramount objective, and the efforts of FVAP and VAOs are indispensable to this democratic process.
