Posted on 08/10/2004 10:58:43 AM PDT by blu
For some reason, I'm suddenly very concerned about the military vote issue. They fight for us, they ought to be assured that their votes count! Please forward this to all your servicepeople. I know, some of them may be kinda busy right now (how's the weather over there, Mr. Sadr? Got enough metal rain?), but maybe someone in their unit can take care of it.
Army Program Helps with Absentee Voting By Andrea Takash Army News Service February 5, 2004
WASHINGTON -- Americans across the country are now voting for president in state primaries, but most Soldiers can't make it to the polls, said Jim Davis, the Army's voting action officer.
The Army's Voting Assistance Program aims to ensure that Soldiers, their families and DoD civilians overseas can exercise their right to vote, Davis said.
Absentee ballots can be applied for by filling out the federal postcard application, standard form 76, which can be found at the Federal Voting Assistance Program's Web site, Davis said.
"Not only does this register them for an absentee ballot, but it also registers them to vote in federal, state and local elections," he said. "Everything is taken care of in one step."
"I recommend that Soldiers send in the federal post card application every year because they might have had an address change since the last election," he said.
The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act requires states to allow absent military voters and overseas American citizens to use absentee ballots in elections for federal office.
"The states have extended this right to state and local elections also," Davis said.
Typically absentee ballots are mailed out to citizens 30 to 45 days before an election. If Soldiers, families or civilians sent in their request for an absentee ballot in sufficient time and didn't receive their ballot, they can fill out form 186, the federal write-in application, which allows them to write their votes without a ballot. Voting assistance officers at each unit have copies of form 186, Davis said.
"The federal write-in application is primarily for federal elections; however, some states accept it," he said.
Most states require the absentee ballot by close of business on the day of the election. However, there are some exceptions to that rule.
Absentee ballots for Louisiana must be in by midnight before the election. In New York, absentee ballots need to be postmarked the day before the election. North Carolina requires the ballots to be in by 5 p.m. the day before the election.
To make sure the state election official received the absentee ballot, Davis suggests calling the state election office.
Davis also said that absentee votes are counted just like regular votes. "There is no difference," he said.
He advises people to educate themselves on the issues before voting. "If necessary, do research before you vote. Don't go in blindly," he said.
Davis stressed the importance of understanding the laws on residency before registering to vote in a particular state.
"Your decision on which state to register in can affect your pay," he said.
"You can only have one legal residence at a time; however, you may change residency each time you are transferred," Davis said. For specific questions on residency, he recommends visiting the Staff Judge Advocate office.
The Army requires every unit to have a voting assistance officer, he said. The voting assistance officers get training at Federal Voting Assistance Program workshops. "The training they receive at these workshops are critical for their ability to do their job," he said.
Voting assistance officers are there to answer questions and provide resources to Soldiers, their families and DoD civilians on voting in federal, state and local elections.
Davis said the Army is non-partisan. "Our real goal is to inform people on how to vote, who to go see and make them aware," he said.
It is important that every American citizen of voting age votes, according to Davis. "Voting is how you influence who is in charge of your quality of life. It is your entitlement as an American citizen," he said.
With the presidential primary elections in full swing, Davis said it is just as important to vote in primaries. "By voting in the primary, you can help the candidate that you want to see in the general election," he said.
A list of the state's presidential primary election dates is listed below.
For more information on federal and state voting policies, go to the Federal Voting Assistance Program's Web site at http://www.fvap.gov/.
Thanks for the ping!
Bump and ping!
Bump!
The loophole used in 2000 and possibly 2002 is the demand some states have that it has to be from the US Postal Service, or some such piece of minucia. And there were stumbling blocks there, if I recall. Sad FReegards....
And sometimes that's just enough time for the ballot to get to the soldier on election day in some overseas locations. I know this is a bit extreme, but I knew one E-6 who sent his absentee ballot back registered mail with return receipt. He just wanted to make sure. Our servicemen and women shouldn't have to do that. It does cost.
A warning to those overseas with absentee ballots. Do not send them back by "friend mail" ( with the next person coming back to the states ). An interview with a Dem nozzle during the 2000 Florida mess revealed that they were looking for US postmarks on absentee ballots so they could have them thrown out. I think they were also going after CONUS ballots sent from "mismatched" postmarks. An example;
You're from Florida stationed in Germany and have your absentee ballot, filled out and ready to mail. A friend is transferring back to the real world ( or just going on leave ). You hand him your mail to drop off a the first stateside mailbox. He ends up at JFK airport a drops it in the mailbox as you asked. It gets to Florida with a NYC postmark. The Dems would have had the ballot disallowed as it's postmark wasn't the same as the one from your address ( if they did postmark ) .
(((ping))) Perhaps you know someone who could use this info...?
I do and will continue to remind them to register and to VOTE. Thank you for the ping.
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