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EDITORIAL: Crunch time for military voting--While troops fight, the Obama team drags its feet
The Washington Times ^ | August 30, 2010 | Editorial

Posted on 08/30/2010 5:55:15 PM PDT by jazusamo

The Justice Department should file suit this week against dozens of states that appear not to be in compliance with a 2009 law to ensure voting rights for military personnel stationed abroad. Failure to file suit will expose the Obama administration's lack of commitment to military voting.

On Friday, after consultation with Justice, the Department of Defense granted waivers exempting five states from the law's requirement that absentee ballots be mailed to personnel abroad at least 45 days before the Nov. 2 election. Waivers may be granted only if a state can explain how it can absolutely guarantee the timely provision and counting of military ballots despite missing the 45-day deadline. The primary in Delaware, for example, is only 49 days before the election, or four days before the Saturday, Sept. 18 deadline. Delaware explained it may not be able to send the ballots on a Saturday, but promised to do so on the Monday two days later.

The problem may be less with those five states, and more with the four states - plus the Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia - that applied for waivers but were denied. Their applications indicate they are not in compliance with the law, while the denial of the waiver means the Defense Department thinks their alternative proposals are insufficient. Several other states, including Maryland, have pledged to meet the deadline but have not fully explained how.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: dod; doj; holder; justicedepartment; military; obama; votingrights

1 posted on 08/30/2010 5:55:22 PM PDT by jazusamo
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To: jazusamo

Military votes ought to be the very first votes counted in every single state.

That should be a law.


2 posted on 08/30/2010 5:56:51 PM PDT by Ev Reeman
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To: jazusamo
Someone should send this article to pompous ass Ike Skelton.
3 posted on 08/30/2010 5:56:58 PM PDT by Eric in the Ozarks (Impeachment !)
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To: jazusamo

On every thread about the military being disenfranchised I ask the same question.

Where is the JAG corps? Why are they not bringing lawsuits for violation of voting rights?


4 posted on 08/30/2010 6:12:04 PM PDT by Tailback
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To: Tailback

I think that’s a pretty good question.

I’m no legal eagle but I believe the responsibility lies with DOJ and the Voting Rights Division for any lawsuits and it’s clear they’ve drug their feet on this.

The DOD has the final say on who’s awarded waivers but DOJ has enforcement power the way I understand it, it’s a can of worms!


5 posted on 08/30/2010 6:21:09 PM PDT by jazusamo (But there really is no free lunch, except in the world of political rhetoric,.: Thomas Sowell)
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To: jazusamo; maica
Several other states, including Maryland, have pledged to meet the deadline but have not fully explained how.

Maryland is a Dem state which believes in magical thinking. Lying (attempting to deceive) is ok here also. They promise big,but deliver little.

Every Visa or Mastercard transaction is instantaneously recorded and retrievable. If our government wanted one person/one vote in our country we would have it. Dems, especially, want to keep the ability to win by cheating.

6 posted on 08/30/2010 7:02:49 PM PDT by Freee-dame
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To: Freee-dame
Every Visa or Mastercard transaction is instantaneously recorded and retrievable.

Yep, when it comes to a few bucks the CC Company's have got the system down pat but our government can't seem to protect our most important right of one person, one vote. Like you say, they don't want to.

7 posted on 08/30/2010 7:17:07 PM PDT by jazusamo (But there really is no free lunch, except in the world of political rhetoric,.: Thomas Sowell)
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To: jazusamo
The Justice Department should file suit this week against dozens of states that appear not to be in compliance with a 2009 law to ensure voting rights for military personnel stationed abroad. Failure to file suit will expose the Obama administration's lack of commitment to military voting.

This has the makings of an immense scandal. We citizens revere our troops; and if we feel that there is a coordinated, "Chicago-style" effort to deny the military their voting rights as a bloc, then it becomes the kind of news that strikes deep.

If this is true, it is an outrage will COST Obama and his military-hating Democrats net votes!

.

8 posted on 08/30/2010 9:34:07 PM PDT by Seaplaner (Never give in. Never give in. Never...except to convictions of honour and good sense. W. Churchill)
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To: Seaplaner

To be a scandal, the enemdia fifth column will have to report it truthfully to we the people. You see that happening from kneepad sycophants like Brian Williams or Katie Colic?


9 posted on 08/30/2010 9:37:40 PM PDT by MHGinTN (Dem voters, believing they cannot be deceived, it is impossible to convince them when deceived.)
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To: MHGinTN
To be a scandal, the enemdia fifth column will have to report it truthfully to we the people.

Well, if they didn't report it it would be... it would be...

It would be a scandal!

(I write, laughing at my own attempt at humor.)

Actually, if MSM ignored such an abuse of government, and such a despicable disenfranchisement of voter rights, there is an info pipeline that I believe to be quite energetic and effective.

I suspect that Military families and veterans and their families could prove difficult to deceive, here, and might be even more energized than ever to get every like-minded citizen they know to the polls.

.

10 posted on 08/30/2010 9:51:24 PM PDT by Seaplaner (Never give in. Never give in. Never...except to convictions of honour and good sense. W. Churchill)
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