Ballots from U.S. troops risk being discarded

CNN ^ | 10/28/08 | Costello

[pabianice]

States' rules for absentee ballots vary; rules can change during election season

30 percent of overseas military ballots returned, counted in 2004, official estimates

Mail from war zones sometimes does not get to county registrars in time

Military ballots were a focus in the 2000 recount in Florida

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- As absentee ballots pour in from U.S. troops overseas, officials are voicing concerns that many of those votes won't be counted.

An absentee ballot from Arlington County in Virginia shows the names of the general election candidates.

"It's dismal," said Rosemary Rodriguez, who works for the U.S. Elections Assistance Commission, a non-partisan group. "These are the voters that are in some cases preserving our liberties and out there with their lives on the line."

Rodriguez estimates that in the last general election, only about 30 percent of overseas military ballots were actually returned and counted.

[pabianice]

We have 500,000 military citizens, plus their families, stationed overseas. This is enough to give McCain a win. The loathsome Dems, at every election, do everything they can to trash any votes from the military and their dependents. Among the many failings of the Congress is the failure to rectify this travesty. Shame on us.

[Westbrook]

Meanwhile, Leftist college students get to vote by absentee ballot in their home towns and vote again in their college towns - in at least one precinct.

[Jeff Chandler]

Among the many failings of the Congress is the failure to rectify this travesty.

Why on earth didn't President Bush make this a priority? Why on earth didn't Senator McCain or any other Republican senator or congressman make this a priority?

Republicans are stupid.

[weegee]

Don’t forget the shenanigans that go on at the post office with ballots delayed until after they don’t count. Even stateside absentee ballots can be directed to another state to “sit and wait”.

[muawiyah]

Fellow named Jim Braughton back when JFK was running. He was just a clerk on the platform at Chicago MPO but he regularly redirected Republican campaign advertising mail to box cars that took them elsewhere.

He was rewarded with the position of Assistant Postmaster General.

His legacy lives on. Ever since Jim's day it's been difficult for a Republican to get a promotion at either POD or USPS.

[for-q-clinton]

Looks like Virginia has said they need to count all military ballots (even ones not signed by a witness)...this is a good thing.

[for-q-clinton]

That’s why when I found out I had to absentee vote I went to the courthouse and voted live in person. Cuts out the democrat post office from screwing with my ballot. It’s already a clue that I’m working so I need an absentee ballot...that alone would mean I have a better chance of being a Republican.

[gracesdad]

“Looks like Virginia has said they need to count all military ballots (even ones not signed by a witness)...this is a good thing.”

You still need a witness, just not a witness address. There’s space on the ballot for a witness signature.

[saltydog11]

Being ex military, I know this happens. You think it might be because most military vote republican? DUH. When you have democratic voting union people controlling the movement and counting of these ballots, it's a wonder any of them get counted

[Jazz1968]

Why is there not a closed computer voting system for military only?
I just don’t understand.

[Old Grumpy]

I’ve been expecting this to happen AGAIN, as it has before. I wish somebody with influence, like O’Reilly, would make a huge stink about it.

[for-q-clinton]

That’s fair as long as there is a witness signature spot.

[Excellence]

I sent mine in by certified mail.

[Quix]

Lord, God, please insure by your angelic hosts that every military ballot for God’s priorities and righteousness gets received AND COUNTED.

Please cause all who would hinder such to fall in their own pit. Cause them to be ill; cause them to stumble; cause them to fall; cause them to be lazy; cause them to utterly fail in their obstructionst efforts, in Jesus’ Name.
Amen.

[Logical me]

When the military learn how screwed they have been, and if I were a RAT, I would keep looking over my shoulder for the rest of my life. Piss on a military man is not something you would want to do.

[Political Junkie Too]

Rodriguez estimates that in the last general election, only about 30 percent of overseas military ballots were actually returned and counted.

In order to rectify this situation, this year the ballots will be shipped via a special route the follows along the Somali coastline.

-PJ

[Eagle of Liberty]

I told this to my wife the other day.....THESE GUYS ARE DEFENDING OUR COUNTRY! THE LEAST WE CAN DO IS MAKE SURE THAT THEIR VOTES ARE COUNTED!!!!!!

It is WAY beyond the pale for Liberal Democrat Socialists to be able to find ways to discount their votes!!

[reformedliberal]

For months, now, the media has assured us that the military is voting for zerO at nearly 100%!!!!!!!!

[Thank You Rush]

“”Why on earth didn’t President Bush make this a priority? Why on earth didn’t Senator McCain or any other Republican senator or congressman make this a priority?””

This is the first I have heard mention of the military absentee ballots. Can’t forget the 2000 debacle and wondered why it hasn’t been a priority to make absolutely sure all these votes are counted this time.

[OneWingedShark]

>The loathsome Dems, at every election, do everything they can to trash any votes from the military and their dependents. Among the many failings of the Congress is the failure to rectify this travesty. Shame on us.

Here’s an idea. The military “goes on strike” and threatens violence on it’s own “citizens” for taxation without representation... Ah, it’ll never happen; but I think it probably would be good for them to put their foot down and say “f-— off!” to the people that are robbing them of their own rights. :|