Clerk sets up polling place for recruits at Ft. Wood

St Louis Post Dispatch ^ | Wednesday, October 27, 2004 | Kim Bell

[aaronbeth]

Those in basic training aren't allowed to leave post. Army officials halted the voting after 173 had cast their ballots.

[aaronbeth]

This is wrong as heck.

[anniegetyourgun]

"Linnenbringer, a Republican, said this was a first. She said an officer at Fort Leonard Wood called her Friday to see if there was a way to allow the recruits to vote."

Leave it to a fine Republican woman to see to it these guys had a chance.

[Larry Lucido]

I'm confused. Only a miniscule number of recruits would be from that county. Don't ALL the rest have to vote absentee?

[nckerr]

Hooah to the fine soldiers at Ft Lost in the Woods!

[lahargis]

That's what the article stated that some had voted absentee. Then a military official in the room said stop and it was stopped. She still feels there were some who wanted to vote after the voting was halted.

[Larry Lucido]

some had voted absentee

That's my point. Don't they ALL have to vote absentee, or not at all (unless they just happened to live in the same county in which they are attending basic training).

I want them all to vote, of course, but I just don't see where a local election official can set up a polling booth for non-residents. Maybe someone can fill me in?

[aaronbeth]

There are thousands of new soldiers here and at every training post who cannot vote. Many new soldiers are just waking up to what it means to serve their country, and probably, in many cases, have never wanted to vote before. Now they are here, training for months- all Engineers, MPs, Chemical and Transportation mos go to AIT here as well. That's months beyond 9 weeks Basic. There are thousands of trainees all over the Army in training that have no opportunity to vote, unless they get an absentee before they leave for training.

[Larry Lucido]

Does the military have a generic absentee ballot (for national races only), good for any soldier at any station regardless of home of record? I seem to remember ordering (and casting) an absentee ballot from Michigan when I was in basic at Ft. McClellan in the 80's.

[Larry Lucido]

I've heard rumors you gentlemen were in the service. Perhaps you could shed light on my post #8?

[CyberAnt]

I think the Pentagon posted one on their website.

[cookcounty]

" Does the military have a generic absentee ballot (for national races only), good for any soldier at any station regardless of home of record? I seem to remember ordering (and casting) an absentee ballot from Michigan when I was in basic at Ft. McClellan in the 80's.

My son voted on a generic ballot in Iraq. It's only good for "Federal offices" (Prez, VP, and Congress). Yes, he voted for W.

[Larry Lucido]

Thanks. That makes sense.

Tell your son "Well done," cookcounty!