So there you go. Some states, MN being one, do not allow the ballots to be sent by FAX nor returned by FAX, only the application for the ballot can be by FAX (and in some cases by email or direct application through a state website). However if they, the state, and actually the local, usually county, authorities don't send out the ballots in time for them to make the round trip, or if they get "delayed" in the mail on the outbound leg, the military member is SOL. The law, IIRC says they, the states, have to accept ballots postmarked by the election, but IIRC, the military system does not provide date stamps on their postmarks, or at least they didn't in 2000, because that was an issue in the Florida vote then.
I remember 2000 very well. It's what made me really start to change my whole political outlook. The Dems are so boneheaded to try to invalidate military votes, yet want FELONS to vote...