Senator John Ensign today (July 22, 2009) continued to work across party lines on legislation that will help remove bureaucratic hurdles to ensure that our servicemen and –women can exercise their right to vote.  Through the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act, members of the military will have more time to receive and cast their ballots to ensure that their votes are actually counted in elections. The bill passed committee with Ensign’s support and could be considered on the floor this week.

“The hallmark of our democracy is free and fair elections,” said Ensign.  “American servicemen and –women are the defenders of our democracy, and yet, they are one of the largest groups of disenfranchised voters.  It is simply un-American that their voice in elections is not heard because they are overseas risking life and limb for our country.”

The Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act will make it easier for military and overseas voters to participate in elections by requiring states to allow 55 days for these voters to receive ballots, vote, and return them in time to be counted.  Additionally, this legislation provides for online and fax systems to deliver registration and absentee ballots. 

 “The defenders of our freedom truly deserve to have their votes counted more than every other American,” said Ensign.  “In today’s era of e-mail and technology, there is no reason why we shouldn’t take advantage of these advancements to ensure that our military members can vote.”

Under this legislation, the Department of Defense must improve its mail delivery services and provide voter assistance training for officers charged with handling voting in each outpost. 

According to the Pew Center on the States, 25 states and the District of Columbia need to improve their absentee voting process for overseas military voters. In the 2006 election, voter turnout was only 20% for the military population, compared to about 40% of the general population that voted.