Armed Forces News

The Navy is turning to its voting assistance officers (VAOs) to be sure every Sailor, Navy family member and civilian employee is contacted, is given the opportunity to register to vote and can cast a ballot in the Nov. 2 general election. Lt. Cmdr. Mark Lofton, Navy voting assistance program officer, is currently identifying and training more than 2,300 VAOs worldwide, aided by a Web-based database known as VIMS (Voting Information Management System). VIMS is designed to simplify the duties of the VAO, Lofton said. “Registering VAOs into the database is the key to our success,” Lofton added. “If we can get 100 percent of the VAOs registered in the database, we can achieve our contact goals for Sailors and their families.” VAOs can find VIMS at www.persnet.navy.mil/nvap, and for questions can contact Lofton at (901) 874-4606, DSN 882-4606.