Group warns of 'bleak' military voter participation despite Pentagon efforts

Fox News ^ | 09/06/12 | Eric Shawn

[DFG]

They fight for our freedom on the front lines, but members of our military could have less of an impact at the ballot box this year.

Estimates say that the number of troops who will end up voting in the November could be down by more than a third.

"We could see an election where turnout is down 25 or 35 percent," predicts Eric Eversole, executive director of the Military Voter Protection Project, which brands this year’s predicted military voter participation levels as "bleak."

In the crucial swing state of Ohio, the group’s report found that only 3.3 percent of the eligible military voters have requested ballots as of Aug. 21.

North Carolina had even less, just 1.7 percent, Virginia a scant 1.4 percent. And the key state of Florida reported a rate of 15.7 percent.

[jsanders2001]

And willing to bet more than 2/3 would vote for Romney

[Thorliveshere]

Hopefully the 1/3 is the faction that voted for Obama last time.

[LoveUSA]

The Left has a way of manipulating the story before it actually occurs.

I believe that they will suppress the military vote and then refer to this report with an "I told you so".

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you.

[sassy steel magnolia]

or maybe the military is just tired of being abused/used by both parties as either a place to socially change it by open homosexuality, or by continuing combat operations in countries that they know will NEVER be democratic and are only bent on killing the military at any chance given?

I think they are just fed up with the political parties and probably voting with their feet as soon as they can. “Even entering a bad economy is not so bad when you’ve got a homo NCO or officer sneering at your every move, and looking you up & down like you’re “eye candy.”” (this comment from a friend’s son in the military)

They are tired and worn out from the last decade; our equipment is beyond life expectancy, and our weapons are, too. Young people get tired of working with old stuff that constantly breaks—and they know the defense budget & numbers are getting cut. They may not all be rocket scientists, but they are smart enough to know it’s pretty bad in the uniform these days...

[MEGoody]

Estimates say that the number of troops who will end up voting in the November could be down by more than a third.

As I recall, there was an article on FR the other day stating that the Obama admin had not put polling/voter registration sites on many of the military bases. Seems to me if troop voting levels are down, it is by design of the Thief in Chief. He's despicable.

[Pat4ever]

This is entirely by design IMHO. There is no reason mil members should not vote online using their CAC. Most members guard this ID card carefully. If they can use it for pay and admin things, why not voting?

[SueRae]

Very sobering. As if the stress isn’t bad enough, nw they have to be concerned with ogling from commanding officers? Downright scary.

[TribalPrincess2U]

This is voter suppression, unlike voter ID.

[GeronL]

I hear more than half the military installations have no office for the troops to register to vote. Some “effort”

[Neoliberalnot]

As I recall, there was an article on FR the other day stating that the Obama admin had not put polling/voter registration sites on many of the military bases.””

Where did you see this article?

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks DFG.