National Defense Authorization Act sets new standards for military absentee voting

By: Johnathan Lemons
Missouri National Guard Public Affairs

Maj. Jeffery Sloan, administrative officer for the 110th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, speaks to reporters about voting while overseas during a press conference at Liberty Memorial.
Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan answers questions from reporters during a military voting program press conference in Kansas City.
Missouri and Kansas National Guard Soldiers listen to Kansas Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh talk about changes to the military voting program.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The top election officials from Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska announced improvements to the military voting programs available to deployed service members.

The National Defense Authorization Act, passed by Congress in October, sets new standards on how states handle military absentee voting.

Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan, Kansas Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh, Iowa Secretary of State Michael Mauro and Nebraska Secretary of State John Gale met at the Liberty Memorial WWI Museum to outline how each state is handling the new requirements.

"We owe the troops who bravely serve our country every opportunity to have their voices heard in our elections," said Carnahan. "Our voting education outreach worked during the Missouri National Guard's Kosovo deployment. We saw a record number of absentee votes from members overseas. But we can still do more."

The changes under the act include a tracking system that allows military voters to check the status of their ballot with election officials. Those serving in the military also will be able to receive their absentee ballots through a secure, electronic system up to 45 days in advance. The new systems will be in place by 2010.

"I believe we should do everything we can to increase the ease in which our troops are able to cast their vote, without compromising the integrity of our election system," said Thornburgh. "Expanding ballot options to include secure e-mail submissions is the natural next step in this process. What once took weeks can now be accomplished with a click of the mouse."

Maj. Jeffery Sloan, administration officer for the 110th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, represented military members and offered his view on voting and serving overseas.

"When things get complicated, Soldiers have concerns," said Sloan. "Voting is one simple thing many take for granted. They have lots on their minds, like their Family and the mission, during the deployment. If the process is made simple, it's one less thing the Soldier needs to worry about."

Another change is the ballot can now be returned using expedited mail at no cost to the service member. Some states allow the ballot to be returned electronically. The electronic option is not available in Missouri, but could be an option later on according to Carnahan.