Be smart, Do your part. Vote. This is the winning slogan posted on the FVAP website. Election time is upon us and while many of us are spread across the world indulging in work and adventure, there is still the issue of our civic responsibility. Our access to the world and home again and other important particulars of our lives remain hinged on those people elected to represent us.

I was outside of the U.S. for the last presidential election and until now, I regret that I did not exercise my right to vote. The idea of absentee voting never occurred to me, but now I know that it is an option for me and for many of you. I have already begun the process of registering for an absentee ballot because I plan to have a voice in this election, no matter how distant and how low, and I hope to set a trend.

If anyone is interested, I have an article at www.ehow.com/how_2177182_vote-absentee-overseas.html with instructions and the link to the website where you can begin your registration process, if you are outside of the U.S.

If you are still stateside but know that you will be gone during election time and you want to vote, go to www.fvap.gov. Absentee voting is even easier if you do it before you leave.