Protect Military VotesAn ACRU Project
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An ACRU Project

Protect the Vote

As they protect our freedom at home, we at home must protect their freedom to vote.

The mission of Protect Military Votes, a project of American Constitutional Rights Union, is to protect the votes of those protecting us.

Get Absentee Ballot
Military Voter Bill of Rights
Resources

The barrier is real

22%

of active-duty military personnel wished to vote but experienced barriers to voting.

Federal Voting Assistance Program

3 in 4

of the 1.3 million active-duty military members are eligible to vote absentee with special protections, because they’re stationed away from their voting residence.

Federal Voting Assistance Program

We are on your side

Protect Military Votes is a project of the American Constitutional Rights Union.

It exists to encourage military voting and to ensure all votes cast by members of the United States military and their family members are counted, and honored.

There have been numerous cases of military ballots mishandled by local election officials, and we believe these votes should be honored with the highest level of efficiency and integrity.

The goal of Protect Military Votes is to:

  1. Increase voting participation rates of military members and their families by educating them about voting rights, processes and deadlines.
  2. Provide a channel for military members to report concerns or problems in the handling of their ballots.
  3. Identify any local or state election officials not adhering to military ballot regulations.
  4. Take action in cases of military ballot tampering or mishandling.

Military voting how-to

Four steps between you and a ballot that counts.

1

Request your ballot

Download a Federal Post Card Application, fill it out and submit it to receive a ballot.

Download the FPCA →
2

Check your state deadlines

Deadlines differ by state, and missing one is the most common way a military ballot goes uncounted.

See deadlines by state →
3

Never miss an election deadline

Subscribe to alerts from the Federal Voting Assistance Program and let them track the calendar for you.

Subscribe to FVAP alerts →
4

Mail in your ballot

Send it back as early as you can. Your state’s return rules and drop-off options are in the Voting Resource Center.

Find your state’s rules →

General deadlines

  • September 19, 2026Shipboard
  • October 23, 2026Outside the U.S.
  • October 31, 2026Stateside

Military voting hotline

Had trouble voting, or making sure your vote was counted?

Do you know anyone who has? Let us know your experiences so we can take action. Call us, or use the form.

888-820-VOTE
Name

As former members of the U.S. military who have proudly served our nation, we express our support for Constitutional freedom and liberty. We also pledge to continue to fight to protect the integrity of our most cherished civil right — free and fair elections.

The mission of Protect Military Votes, a project of American Constitutional Rights Union, is to protect the votes of those protecting us. The Committee to Support and Defend is the nation’s only constitutional conservative military and veterans support organization.

Visit and join the Committee to Support and Defend →

Military Voting News

All military voting news