Military personnel and their spouses constitute a significant voting bloc in federal, state, and local elections. As a concerned citizen, your vote does count - but only if you decide to take the time and effort to exercise it.

Nothing comes easy in either the military or civilian worlds of voting, but it's getting more and more convenient! Don't forget to vote, nor be dissuaded from voting because of your mobile military family status. Here's what you can and should do in order to fully exercise your voting rights:

• The military member must vote in the state of declared residency.

• The military spouse may change residency with every move. Since voter registration requirements vary with every state, be sure to check on them soon after moving to a new state.

• Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) allows the servicemember and spouse to apply for absentee ballots. These ballots are mailed to you 30 to 45 days before an election.

• If you have questions about voter registration and/or absentee ballots, be sure to call the voter registration hotline: 1-800-438-8683.

  Also, visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program website, which addresses the voting concerns of uniformed service members and their families: www.fvap.gov.

• Absentee voting: It's a very simple process - receive your ballot, vote, have your signature witnessed, and mail it. Many local libraries have absentee voting applications.

  You also can download the postcard application form from this website: www.fvap.gov.

• Political parties represented overseas: Democrats (www.democratsabroad.org) and Republicans (www.republicansabroad.org)