Sen. Brown introduces bill to make voting easier for troops
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
LANSING — Sen. Cameron S. Brown introduced legislation this week that will make it easier for members of the military stationed overseas to vote in Michigan elections.
“Troops from Michigan are defending our rights – including our right to vote – all around the world,” said Brown, R-Fawn River Township. “We have an obligation to ensure their right to vote is protected here at home.”
In past elections, overseas mailing delays have resulted in ballots from many troops not being received in time to be counted. Earlier this year, the Pew Center on the States gave Michigan a failing grade for not yet identifying a way to send and receive ballots in a more timely matter.
“This is a time issue,” Brown said. “The solution is to help expedite the transmission of information to overseas troops without compromising the integrity of the ballot.”
According to the Macomb County clerk’s office, nearly 30 percent of absentee ballots mailed overseas were not returned before Election Day. Meanwhile, only three percent of absentee ballots mailed by the clerk’s office to voters within the U.S. were not returned in time.
Brown’s legislation would allow county, city, township and village clerks to electronically transmit voter registration applications, absentee ballot applications and absentee ballots to overseas troops. To vote, troops serving overseas must print off the electronically transmitted ballot and return it by mail to the clerk.
“This is a simple, common sense step we can take to make sure our troops can participate in the democracy they safeguard every day,” said Brown.
Senate Bill 948 has been referred to the Senate Campaign and Election Oversight Committee for consideration.
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