Non-compliance on law protecting military vote could affect key races

In Wisconsin and Colorado, two key races could be impacted by the states’ failure to meet a Sept. 18 mailing date for general election ballots to troops stationed overseas. Fox News points to races where incumbents like Sen. Russ Feingold (Wisc.) and Michael Bennet (Colo.) are facing serious challengers. Both men are Democrats.

Fox said races could be determined by military ballots not only in those states but also in Washington.

Ten states have requested waivers because they claim they cannot meet deadlines to comply with some provisions of the MOVE Act, legislation passed by Congress to ensure troops overseas have their votes counted.

Florida set an excellent example for the rest of the nation by planning ahead. Due to the efforts of state congresswoman Sandy Adams, a state bill was passed to ensure compliance with MOVE. Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland in Duval County told The US Report, “We are very proud that Florida is a model state for full compliance with the MOVE Act. It is our hope that all states will move quickly to help facilitate more accessible access to voting for our military.”

Florida passed HB 131 and it was signed by the governor in May.

It’s tempting to wonder whether some states are slow to come around on complying with MOVE because of politics. On a forum at The Baltimore Sun, one person commented, “The Dems know that the military vote usually goes to the conservative side by a few percentage points. So, [Gov. Martin] O'Malley has no incentive to make sure their votes get counted on election night. He and the Maryland Democratic Party are slime.”

Ironically, Fox pointed out that one Democrat won a tight race in Maryland in 2008 because of military and civilian oversees ballots.

M. Eric Eversole, director of the Military Voter Protection Project, was so concerned about compliance with MOVE, he wrote to the Dept. of Defense and asked for “a copy of all documents submitted by states, territories, or the District of Columbia to the Federal Voting Assistance Program requesting a waiver of the requirement to mail absentee ballots to military and overseas voters at least 45-days before the November 2010 election, as permitted by 42 U.S.c. § 1973ff-1(g).”

There’s no consensus on why states have not made arrangements ahead of time as Florida did. Florida is one of the largest states in the nation. It seems that if we could be ready, any state could.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.) has questions about compliance—he fired off a letter to the Dept. of Justice in July insisting DoJ take “immediate steps” to see that states comply.

The US Report asked Michael Yon for an opinion on the situation. Yon, a top war correspondent who has embedded with troops in a number of war zones, said, “One might question on a governor by governor basis why their states are avoiding military votes. Each governor should be publicly questioned about their decisions on this matter. In this case lack of action is action.”

Considering Florida was ready long before the deadline, Yon makes a very good point.

Troops place their lives on the line every day and others are away from their families for long periods of time in peaceful areas. Wouldn’t you think American governors cared enough to see that the military can exercise one of the the most fundamental elements of freedom?

Other than Fox News, The Washington Times and a few online media outlets like The Daily Caller, this issue has been ignored by media.

Non-compliance with the MOVE Act can affect key races. Regardless of which Party stands to benefit, the military vote should be safeguarded. States had ample time to plan for compliance with MOVE. As Yon said, “In this case, lack of action is action.”

Fox News said on Thursday, Maryland had made arrangements to comply with MOVE.

(Commentary by Kay B. Day/Aug. 27, 2010)

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[Eli El]

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Much Love,
Elihu Eli El

[Kay B. Day, Editor]

Mr. Eli, I visited your link and I wanted to tell you I appreciate your service to our country.

To be completely honest, I'm a Republican on fiscal issues and military/national security, so we're pretty far apart, you and I on politics at least as far as fiscal issues go.

But all official candidates are welcome here and we appreciate your visit. best, Editor/TUSR