Problems for Military and Overseas Voters:

 

For many Americans, the 2008 election was an historic election, both in its outcome and the number of citizens who were able to vote for the first time.  Election officials in many states reported record turnout and participation by many voters who were traditionally left out of the process.  The same, however, cannot be said for America’s military members and their families.  For these voters, especially those serving in war zones, the 2008 presidential election was an embarrassing reminder that military voters are frequently disenfranchised by a voting process that does not work.

For example, in Minnesota, only 15.7 percent of its military voters were able to cast a vote that counted in the 2008 presidential election, even though 78 percent of the general population voted in the same election.  In Florida, home to nearly 340,000 military voters, only 66,007 or 19.4 percent of military voters cast an absentee ballot that counted in the 2008 election.  Other states, like California, Missouri, and Arkansas, witnessed similar levels of military disenfranchisement.

Congress must take immediate action to protect our military voters by addressing two significant obstacles.  First, it must ensure that the Federal Voting Assistance Program—the federal agency within the Department of Defense designated to assist military voters—provides military voters with the assistance necessary to register and request an absentee ballot.  Second, Congress must ensure that military voters are provided with sufficient time to receive and cast their ballots, even if they are located in a war zone.  At a minimum, Congress should mandate that overseas military ballots be sent at least 45 days before the state election deadline and require expedited delivery of military absentee ballots from war zones.

While Americans may disagree on numerous aspects of election policy, no one questions our military members’ right to vote or America’s obligation to provide them with an opportunity to vote.  Given their daily sacrifices and their willingness to defend our liberties at all costs, including their lives if necessary, America must do more to ensure that military members are provided with the same rights they are asked to defend.