Defense Dept. Is Adding a Step to Assist U.S. Voters Overseas.

NY Times ^ | October 21, 2004 | Michael Moss

[markedman]

Political wrangling and late primaries caused local election offices in at least eight swing states to miss a Sept. 19 cutoff for sending out ballots that would have ensured their timely return from far-flung locales where mail service is slow. Partisan groups vying to get out the overseas vote had begun posting the substitute write-in ballot, which covers federal but not local races or measures, on their own Internet sites out of concern that its distribution to consulates had made it too hard to get.

The Defense Department is offering its new help "at the request of both political parties to extend every opportunity to those overseas, both civilian and military," said Lt. Col. Joseph Richard, a spokesman for the Pentagon, which runs the federal government's Voting Assistance Program.

Missteps by program officials, along with lingering concern about overseas voting problems that surfaced in 2000, is prompting election officials, political operatives and various groups representing Americans abroad to take further action to shore up the fractured voting system for the estimated 4.4 million eligible voters overseas.

Last week Colorado joined four other swing states - Florida, Iowa, Ohio and Washington - in deciding to accept ballots from overseas that arrive beyond Election Day. The cutoff dates vary by state, ranging as late as Nov. 17, and could delay the reporting of results in the presidential race.

Further, the off-again-on-again status of Ralph Nader on the ballot in Pennsylvania has prompted the United States Justice Department to sue state officials to force a ballot deadline extension there two weeks beyond Election Day. State officials are fighting the move.

[markedman]

The Bloated Cheese Steak Eating Governor of PA, Ed Rendell, seems to be doing everything in his power to prevent the almost 17,000 members of the military from PA from casting their votes. No doubt this is out of fear that almost 73% of the military supports George Bush. It is interesting to note that while he has been blocking efforts to have the military overseas vote count, that he is going out of his way to ensure that the state of PA gets ballots from prisoners. everything

[NavVet]

Any out of state military reading this. If you haven't got your PA ballot, contact your voting officer and get a Federal Write In Absentee ballot, the state has to accept it. When you get your late state ballot, send that one in as well.

Don't worry, it won't count twice, they hold the Federal Write in ballot and only count it if they don't receive your state ballot.

[dubie]

Can't be true. Democrats "support our troops". This is right wing lies! /s

[NutCrackerBoy]

Please use actual article title prominently - the format of your thread implies that the NYT used title "Pennsylvania Democrats Blocking Military Overseas Voters." I don't think so.

[markedman]

It was in the NY Times, the bible of The Demoncrat, so it must be true. As far as the Demoncrats supporting the troops, then why were they 'high fiving' each other in 2000 to celebrate successfully blocking military overseas votes.

[26lemoncharlie]

Fox news reported today that the following website was for use by the military and civilians overseas for ballots:

From Lina Vester's Page at Foxnews:
The Pentagon website for Americans overseas to vote by absentee ballot is: www.fvap.gov/services/fwab.html. Both military personnel and civilians can use it.

[GeronL]

It is time for the PENN GOP to start using the word 'disenfranchised' against the Democrats. Does the Penn GOP have an email address??

[WakeUpAndVote]

I will feel much better knowing that murderers, rapist and child molesters are declared more qualified to select the most powerful leader in the world.

What does the military know? /sarcasm

The Feds need to nail this pro union pig. How can't you let the men and women who put their lives on the line to keep us safe from voting! This is not a screw up! Philthadelphia lawyer scum with the RATS are the ones fighting Nader off the ballot. By taking Nader off the ballot, the Heroes overseas can't vote. This was not icing on the cake, this had to be done on purpose because the majority of the military vote will vote for Bush.

Prisoners GIVE UP their rights when the commit the crime! When they have fill their term in jail, THEN they can vote.

[M Kehoe]

Ed Rendell is in the same league as Huey Long, Joe Kennedy and John Daley (to name a few of the best in voter fraud).

5.56mm

[Mannaggia l'America]

Rendell is refusing the extend the deadline for receiving absentee ballots from the military, even though it is his fault that they went out late because he kept suing to keep Nader off the ballot.

(He did extend the deadline for the military ballots for the May primaries, but now refuses to do so for the election.)

In the mean time, he sent a letter to all state prison wardens reminding them to help prisoners vote by absentee ballot!

[Admin Moderator]

Please use the published title when posting a thread

[midftfan]

The Democrats sure aren't acting confident about this election. They're pulling out all the stops to win. Actions speak louder than words and Rendell and the other Dem bosses are pulling this stunt again because they must have poll numbers showing Kerry in far deeper trouble than is being reported by the MSM. This particular action and the constant vocal harangues of voter disenfranchisement are sure signs the Dems are very desperate at this point.