Posted on 10/30/2010 7:12:40 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
WASHINGTON, D.C. - A federal judge in Maryland today granted the Military Voter Protection Project’s request for a preliminary injunction to ensure that Maryland’s military members have sufficient time to vote in November. Under the terms of the order, the Maryland State Board of Elections will be required to count all military and overseas absentee ballots so long as the ballot has been cast on or before Election Day and is returned by 5:00 p.m. on November 22, 2010.
The MVP Project filed this case after the Maryland State Board of Elections sent military voters an absentee ballot that only contained federal races. While the State Board subsequently mailed absentee ballots with both federal and state races, these ballots were not mailed until October 8, 2010. The MVP Project argued that the federal only ballot did not comply with federal or state law. As for the October 8 ballot, the MVP Project argued that military members would not have sufficient time to receive and return their absentee ballots, especially if they were serving in a war zone.
The federal judge agreed with the MVP Project’s constitutional argument. In particular, the court pointed to well established mail delivery times to war zones, which indicate that mail delivery to and from a war zone may take as much as 36 days. The court further noted that even after the mail arrives in Iraq or Afghanistan, there is no guarantee that the military member will receive it that day. The court determined that Maryland simply failed to provide military voters with sufficient time to receive and return their state absentee ballots. This failure, according to the court, placed an unconstitutional burden on their right to vote.
“We are thrilled with the court’s decision today,” said Eric Eversole, the Executive Director of the MVP Project. “The decision helps to ensure that our men and women in uniform, even those stationed in war zones, will have time to vote in all Maryland elections—not just federal races. It merely provides a little extra time for their ballots to be returned from Iraq and Afghanistan. It is the least we can do for them.”
The Military Voter Protection Project is a project of the Vets for Freedom Educational Institute in partnership with Families United, both non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations. For more information about the organization and its mission, please visit www.mvpproject.org.
Maryland “Freak State” PING!
Americans need to take their elections back. This banana republic crap just isn’t working. Too much corruption and voter fraud. We are in bad need of some “comprehensive” election reform.
>>Hopefully, we’ll get similar outcomes in New York and Illinois. <<
I am amazed the TOTUS-reader hasn’t filed an amicus curiae brief in Illinois, stating that since servicemen and women usually vote Republican they should not be allowed to vote at all (which essentially is the position of the administration in re: Illinois).
You can’t say that too many times. This crap HAS to be stopped. Each and every voter’s eligibility to cast a vote has be clearly established by means of an official picture and fingerprint ID.
Is MVP Project in court in those states?
I would certainly hope so. I’m sure that their web site would tell you.
Yes! Very, very good. It is appalling to see our military denied their vote. Hurray!
Attempt to deny military members civil rights needs to have MANDATORY JAIL TIME.
SIX MONTHS Jail time for the chief pig with nose in trough - followed by 3 months each for anyone reporting to him/her.
Evidence of conspiracy or malice should be dealt with as a capital crime. Treason is treason.
Young man stopped in our Republican headquarters today looking for help. Recently completed his third tour of duty, two in Iraq and one in Afghanistan where he was injured. Went to vote and was told his registration was no longer valid because he had a PTSD diagnosis from his doctor at the VA. Can they deny his right to vote on this basis?
I doubt that they can legally stop him. I have OCD, but I have never been stopped from voting or registering to vote on that basis. Of course, I didn’t use the VA (I wouldn’t qualify, anyhow) for my OCD.
This man should also consult an attorney. Maybe he can get this disgrace reversed in time for 2012.
Of course, I didn’t use the VA...”
One of the problems as I understand it is that this is the diagnosis that was given him by the VA and they gave him 100% disability. He doesn’t feel he is disabled and has been trying to find a job but he says once they find out about his disability, companies won’t hire him. Will pass on your suggestion about an attorney. Am going to an election night party with our Congressman and our State Rep and will drop this issue in their lap. I also plan on starting an email campaign to investigate and resolve this issue in general. We’ll see.
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