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PolicyAffects all reservists

Voting stand down required by 15 October for all commands

MARADMIN 478/26·October 7, 2026·2 min read·Official source

The Marine Corps has directed all commands to conduct a voting assistance stand down before 15 October 2026. This applies to every Marine and sailor, active and reserve. The stand down covers voter registration, absentee ballot help, and state-specific deadlines. It is not optional.

★ Affects all reservists: Your command must hold a one-to-two hour voting stand down with your VAO by 15 October 2026, and reserve units must report completion status to HQMC by 20 October.

Who it affects

Every Marine and sailor, active and reserve, including those on active-duty operational support orders. Family members are also covered by the resources in this message. This applies to SMCR and IMA units.

What you need to do

If you are a commander or VAO:

  1. Schedule and conduct a minimum one-to-two hour Voting Assistance Stand Down with your unit Voting Assistance Officer (VAO) no later than 15 October 2026.
  2. Cover voter registration, absentee ballot processing, state deadlines, and Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) submission during the stand down.
  3. Allow Marines time during the duty day to vote if they choose.
  4. Give scheduling flexibility so Marines can help spouses and voting-age dependents register or apply for absentee ballots.
  5. Report completion to HQMC. Reserve units report percent complete and a planned finish date to brian.n.mitchell.civ@usmc.mil no later than 20 October 2026.

If you are an individual Marine:

Nothing required, but use this as your window to get registered, request an absentee ballot, and sort out your state's deadlines. Your VAO is the fastest path to help.

On political neutrality: No leader, VAO, or commander can tell anyone how or for whom to vote. Voting assistance must stay strictly nonpartisan. In uniform or in an official capacity, stay out of partisan activity entirely.

Key dates

  • 15 October 2026: Stand down must be completed at all commands
  • 20 October 2026: Reserve units must report completion status (percent complete and planned finish date) to HQMC SVAO

The official version

This is MARADMIN 478/26. It implements guidance from the Secretary of War memo (1 Oct 26) and ALNAV 062/26. The governing order for the Marine Corps Voting Assistance Program is MCO 1742.1C. The HQMC POC is Brian Mitchell at brian.n.mitchell.civ@usmc.mil or (703) 784-9511.

Nonpartisan voting resources:

  • Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP): www.fvap.gov
  • Military OneSource: www.militaryonesource.mil
  • Your unit VAO

This is written by a reservist, for reservists. It is not an official publication of HQMC or MARFORRES. Always verify guidance with your command or unit S-1 before acting on any article or summary.

Resources & references

The documents this bulletin points to, with a plain-English note on why each matters. Links marked CAC required need a government login.

  • DOD Directive on Political Activities by Members of the Armed Forces (DOD Directive 1344.10)Reference

    This directive governs what political activities military personnel may and may not engage in. It is cited here as the authority prohibiting partisan political activity while in uniform or in an official capacity.

  • Secretary of War Memorandum on Military Voting Stand Down (Ref B, 01 Oct 26)Reference

    This memo is the direct authority requiring commanders to conduct a voting stand down in October 2026. It also mandates that all voting assistance activities remain strictly nonpartisan.

  • Acting Secretary of the Navy Memorandum on Voting Resources (Ref C, 30 Sep 26)Reference

    This SECNAV-level memo reinforces the requirement for nonpartisan voting assistance and is one of the primary authorities cited for political neutrality guidance in this MARADMIN.

  • Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA)Reference

    Federal law that protects the absentee voting rights of uniformed service members and overseas citizens. It is cited here as a governing authority for civilian employee political activity guidance.

  • Hatch Act (5 U.S.C. Sections 7321-7326)Reference

    Federal law that restricts the political activities of federal civilian employees. Cited here to remind civilian personnel that partisan political activity must occur off duty, off federal property, and without use of official resources.

  • DOD Instruction on Wearing of the Uniform (DODI 1334.01)Reference

    This instruction governs when and how the military uniform may be worn. It is referenced here in the context of ensuring military personnel do not engage in partisan political activities while in uniform.

  • Political Activities of Federal Employees (5 C.F.R. Parts 733-734)Reference

    Federal regulations that detail what political activities are permitted or prohibited for federal civilian employees. Cited here as additional guidance on keeping partisan activity separate from official duties.

  • Marine Corps Voting Assistance Program (MCO 1742.1C)Reference

    The Marine Corps order establishing the Voting Assistance Program and the responsibilities of Voting Assistance Officers. Major Command VAOs are directed to report stand down completion per this order.

  • ALNAV 062/26 on Voting Resources and Military Voting Stand DownMARADMIN

    The Navy-wide message from SECNAV covering the same voting stand down and civic rights guidance this MARADMIN implements for Marines. Useful context for the broader policy direction.

  • Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP)

    The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) website helps service members and their families register to vote, request absentee ballots, and track ballot status by state. If you are deployed, traveling for drill, or living away from your home state, this is where you find your state's deadlines, locate your Voting Assistance Officer, and submit a backup Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot if your regular ballot never arrives.

  • Military OneSource Voting Support

    Military OneSource has a section specifically for National Guard and Reserve members covering topics like joining, benefits, and navigating reserve life. If you need official government resources on voting support or other aspects of reserve service, this is where to start.

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