An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Camp Lemonnier Voting Officer Ensures Service Member Voices are Heard

29 May 2024

From Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Patricia Elkins

CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti (May 29, 2024) – Deployed service members miss out on many events back in the U.S., but the opportunity to vote is not one of them thanks to Lt. Cmdr. Jimmy Dinh.

CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti (May 29, 2024) – Deployed service members miss out on many events back in the U.S., but the opportunity to vote is not one of them thanks to Lt. Cmdr. Jimmy Dinh.

A Davenport, FL native and member of the U.S. Navy supply corps, Dinh goes beyond his primary duties as a contract specialist for Camp Lemonnier’s public works department and serves as the Installation Voting Assistance Officer (IVAO).

His collateral duty is Installation Voting Assistance Officer (IVAO); he helps service members and overseas U.S. citizens understand their voting rights and helps them navigate the complexities of absentee voting.

Providing an IVAO is one way Camp Lemonnier supports service members deployed to the installation. Dinh’s expertise and assistance ensures that every service member’s voice is heard, even from across the globe.

“By providing resources and support through the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP), I ensure all eligible voters can fulfill their civic duties, regardless of their location,” said Dinh.

In 1986, the Uniformed and Overseas Citizen Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) established protections for service members’ right to vote. However, casting your first absentee ballot can be daunting while deployed, leading many service members to forgo the opportunity.

“I am here to help service members and civilians understand the procedure for casting an absentee ballot for the U.S. state they are registered in,” said Dinh. “For those not yet registered to vote, I can facilitate absentee voter registration and provide impartial voting guidance.”

Dinh’s commitment extends across all branches of the military at Camp Lemonnier, assisting over 5,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, Airmen, Guardians and U.S. citizens by providing resources and support.

Camp Lemonnier is an operational installation that enables U.S., allied and partner nation forces to be where they are needed to ensure security and protect U.S. interests. The installation provides world-class support for service members, transient U.S. assets and 38 local tenant commands. (U.S. Navy story by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Patricia Elkins)

 

 

Google Translation Disclaimer

  • Google Translate, a third party service provided by Google, performs all translations directly and dynamically.
  • Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central, cnreurafcent.cnic.navy.mil has no control over the features, functions, or performance of the Google Translate service.
  • The automated translations should not be considered exact and should be used only as an approximation of the original English language content.
  • This service is meant solely for the assistance of limited English-speaking users of the website.
  • Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central, cnreurafcent.cnic.navy.mil does not warrant the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information translated.
  • Some items cannot be translated, including but not limited to image buttons, drop down menus, graphics, photos, or portable document formats (pdfs).
  • Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central, cnreurafcent.cnic.navy.mil does not directly endorse Google Translate or imply that it is the only language translation solution available to users.
  • All site visitors may choose to use similar tools for their translation needs. Any individuals or parties that use Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central, cnreurafcent.cnic.navy.mil content in translated form, whether by Google Translate or by any other translation services, do so at their own risk.
  • IE users: Please note that Google Translate may not render correctly when using Internet Explorer. Users are advised to use MS Edge, Safari, Chrome, or Firefox browser to take full advantage of the Google Translate feature.
  • The official text of content on this site is the English version found on this website. If any questions arise related to the accuracy of the information contained in translated text, refer to the English version on this website, it is the official version.

Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central   |   PSC 817, Box 108   |   FPO, AE 09622
Official U.S. Navy Website