I was also just noticing that the article also says that states should drop the requirements that service members get their ballots notarized. I didn’t know they have such burdensome requirment.
You mustn’t ask for ID from illegal aliens voting, multiple times, local residents mailing in absentee ballots, but US service members in the war zone need to get their ballots notarized. How outrageous is that?!
Generally the absentee ballot process is designed to be somewhat cumbersome. In the days when there were still honorable people in both major parties the rules were written so as to contrain voter fraud.
Please accept my next comment understanding that I’m retired military and one of my sons is currently a US Army Sergeant Major. He’s been in harm’s way four times and came through unscathed—thank God.
He has been voting in elections for the past 12 years—whether on CONUS (Continental US) or overseas assignments. My home in New Jersey is his home of record. NJ is not exactly a Red State. My point: He has made it his business to become acquainted with the person responsible for absentee ballots in my town. And if an issue developes—timeliness or whatever—my wife or I personally visit that person and straighten it out. I have to say the absentee ballot person has facilitated his ability to vote whatever the problem may have been. Actually I think we had only one problem and that was that my son was late due combat zone responsibilities.
Soldiers, if they want to participate in the political life of the country they have sworn to protect and defend, must take responsibilty for obtaining an absentee ballot. Then they must forward it back to their town in time—with all the blocks checked and complete info—in the time prescribed.
It’s as simple as that.
I can understand young soldiers not caring or knowing about the absentee ballot process. But any soldier E-5 and above has no excuse.