Absentee ballots available online for overseas military, state voters

Wisconsin National Guard Public Affairs Office

Wisconsin's military and permanent overseas voters can request absentee ballots online beginning today (Sept. 20).

Using grant money from the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP), the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board (GAB) launched the voter services website My Vote WI on Sept. 17 that allows military and permanent overseas voters to download the appropriate ballot for their jurisdiction in time for the 2012 general election. The online tool is designed to make it easier for both municipal clerks and military and permanent overseas voters to submit and process absentee ballot requests, and to transmit absentee ballots between clerks and voters.

"Until now, our Wisconsin Soldiers serving abroad had to contact their local clerk's office to get their absentee ballots," said Kevin Kennedy, director and general counsel of the GAB. "The new My Vote WI website expedites ballot delivery, and helps ensure that their votes will be counted."

Currently, municipal clerks issue absentee ballots to overseas voters by mail, fax or e-mail. Clerks will continue to use these delivery channels if requested by the voter, but can ask if the voter would prefer a ballot through the online tool. The GAB will issue absentee ballots requested through My Vote WI on behalf of the appropriate clerk - the online ballots will not contain the clerk's initials. Instead, My Voter WI will print a mailing ID number on the absentee certificate that prints with the absentee ballot. The voter must complete the certificate envelope in order for the ballot to be counted.

Each absentee ballot My Vote WI issues will be automatically tracked in the Statewide Voter Registration System (SVRS) by its mailing ID. Clerks will be notified by e-mail when voters have accessed their absentee ballot online; the notification will include the voter's mailing ID. The notifications will be sent out nightly. Clerks will also receive My Vote WI summaries for their municipality, including new online voter registrations, new online absentee applications, downloaded absentee ballots, updated voter records, and spoiled absentee ballots.

Clerks can opt out of having the GAB issue absentee ballots on their behalf, but then must take additional steps to document the status of the request as well as the absentee ballot.

My Vote WI will help Wisconsin comply with the terms of a federal court consent decree resulting from a small number of municipal clerks who did not transmit absentee ballots by federal deadlines for the 2010 and 2012 federal elections, deemed a violation of the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act (MOVE).

Overseas residents must be registered to vote before receiving an absentee ballot. Completed absentee ballots shipped by the U.S. Postal Service must be postmarked no later than election day (Nov. 6, 2012) and received by the municipal clerk no later than 4 p.m. on the Friday after the election (Nov. 9). Other delivery methods must deliver completed absentee ballots to the municipal clerk no later than 8 p.m. on election day. State law prohibits voters who cast an absentee ballot from also voting at the polling place for the same election.

Military and overseas voters with questions about the absentee voting process may e-mail the GAB or call 1-608-261-2028, or toll-free 1-866-VOTE-WIS.

DOD Overseas Voting Assistance ‘Never Better,’ Official Says

By Karen Parrish

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON – With less than eight weeks remaining before election day, American service members and other citizens overseas have more tools than ever available to help them register and vote, the acting director of the Federal Voting Assistance Program told Congress today.

Pamela S. Mitchell told the House Armed Services Committee’s military personnel subcommittee that her staff is committed to promoting awareness of upcoming elections and removing any barriers between Americans abroad and their right to cast a ballot.

“We provide voting assistance every day, and we’ve never done it better,” Mitchell said. “Voters seeking assistance will find a myriad of resources available, including a professional call center, well-trained voting assistance officers, and an information-rich Web portal at fvap.gov.”

The program offers assistance to service members and their relatives who are eligible to vote, as well as other Americans who are overseas for work, school or other reasons, she said.

The 2009 Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act, known as the MOVE Act, established various programs to help military people, their families and other overseas citizen voters register and vote. The act required the military services to have a voting assistance office on every installation worldwide, except for those in war zones.

Mitchell said those offices are open, and the voting assistance program offers a range of training tools for the installation office staffs and for unit voting assistance officers. She noted the program also employs online and email tools to help overseas military members navigate the absentee voting process.

“We’re conducting a comprehensive communications and outreach campaign, and we established a call center that provides support by phone, by email and by online chat. The services are also actively engaged to increase awareness of the election and [of] service members’ right to vote,” she said.

The Federal Voting Assistance Program website has logged more than 8 million visits since November, Mitchell said, and the program’s staff members have dispatched 1.4 million emails five separate times since January, with at least two more mass emails scheduled to go out before the November election.

“As of 30 June, the services reported that their installation and unit voting assistance offices helped over 550,000 [people],” she noted.

The program’s staff works continuously to increase awareness among potential overseas voters, she said.

“I spent over 25 years in uniform, and I wish I’d had access to the tools that are out there today,” Mitchell said. “However, even if only one absentee service member or overseas citizen has a problem, we believe it is one too many – and there is no question that we still have work to do.”

Understanding voting rights and military responsibilities

By Wisconsin National Guard Public Affairs

Next week Tuesday (Aug. 14), voters in Wisconsin will have the opportunity to narrow the field of candidates for the U.S. Senate. The Dairy State has been politically charged since 2010 and politically active this year — at least six primary or general elections in 2012, to include next week’s primary and the Nov. 6 general election.

As a Wisconsin National Guard member, your role in the political process is a little narrower than the average citizen. Your right to vote is a given. Beyond that? It depends.

Can I write a “letter to the editor” expressing personal opinions about political candidates and issues? Yes, but don’t make your statement as a member of the military

Can I write or sign partisan political articles, letters or endorsements for publication that solicit votes for or against a partisan political party, candidate or cause? No

Can I attend partisan and nonpartisan political events like fundraisers, meetings, rallies, debates and conventions as a private citizen spectator? Yes

Can I take an active part in partisan political activities like fundraisers, rallies, conventions, campaign management or debates? No

Can I serve as an election official? Yes, but not as a representative of a partisan political party, and doing so can’t interfere with military duty and cannot be done in uniform

Can I sponsor or be an official for a partisan political club? No

Can I have a political bumper sticker on my privately owned vehicle? Yes

Can I have a large political sign, banner or poster on my privately owned vehicle? No

Can I donate to political organizations, parties or committees? Yes, but don’t exceed current contribution limits set by law

Can I solicit or collect political donations from service members or civilian federal employees for promoting a political objective, cause or campaign, or actively promote (including selling tickets for) partisan political dinners and other fundraisers? No

Can I sign a petition for a specific legislative action or to place a candidate’s name on an official election ballot? Yes, as a private citizen, so long as doing so doesn’t obligate you to take part in partisan political activity

Can I speak at a gathering that promotes a partisan political party, candidate or cause? No

Can I take part in any radio, TV or other program or group discussion that advocates for against a partisan political party, candidate or cause? No

Can I encourage others to vote? Yes, but you cannot influence their choice in voting for a candidate

Can I march or ride in a partisan political parade? No

Can I help with organized efforts to bring voters to the polls? Not if that effort is organized by a partisan political party, cause or candidate

Can I attend a partisan political event as a member of the military? Only if you are in a joint Armed Forces color guard as part of the opening ceremony of a national convention for a political party recognized by the Federal Elections Committee

Can I work for a partisan political committee or candidate during a campaign, on election day or closing out the campaign after election day? No

Can I run as a candidate for federal, state or local government? Only under special circumstances — check with the Staff Judge Advocate’s office (608-242-3072 or DSN 724-3071) for more details

Can I exercise my freedom of speech to say what I really think about office holders? Not by using contemptuous words

Can a candidate or campaign organization use my armory or base? Candidates and elected officials can only participate in official activities at military facilities that are not related to political campaigns — direct any and all such requests to the Wisconsin National Guard Public Affairs Office at 608-242-3048

Don’t forget to be careful when using social media like Facebook or Twitter. Posting or tweeting our opinions about politics or politicians might send the wrong message if we identify ourselves on social media by our military status.

This is not a complete list of do’s and don’ts, but it’s a start. For more information, check out The Adjutant General (TAG) Policy Memorandum 29 — Political Activities. Still have questions? Post them here, or contact the Staff Judge Advocate’s Office.

Officials Express Concern Over Egyptian Transition

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 18, 2012 – Millions of Egyptian people voted to elect a new president democratically, but the Egyptian military’s last-minute amendments to the country’s constitution concern the Defense Department, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said here today.

“We support the Egyptian people and their expectation that the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces will transfer full power to a democratically elected civilian government, as the SCAF previously announced,” Little said in a statement released to reporters.

“We have, and will continue, to urge the SCAF to relinquish power to civilian-elected authorities and to respect the universal rights of the Egyptian people and the rule of law,” he added.

Little said the Defense Department is “deeply concerned” about the new amendments to Egypt’s constitutional declaration and the timing of the announcement as polls closed for the presidential election.

“We believe Egypt’s transition must continue and that Egypt is made stronger and more stable by a successful transition to democracy,” he said. “Egypt has an enduring role as a security partner and leader in promoting regional stability, and we look forward to working with the new government on a host of issues.”

Meeting today with reporters along with Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. John Kirby, the press secretary said Defense Department officials remain in close contact with the Egyptian military on the matter, noting that Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta spoke June 15 with Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, leader of Egypt’s ruling council. “We plan to continue to maintain those close contacts and cooperation with the SCAF,” Little said. “That being said, we need to see where things go.”

Little said the U.S. and Egypt have maintained a very strong military-to-military relationship for many years.

“We want that to continue, … [and] we’re going to monitor events closely,” he said. “It’s very important to the entire U.S. government, and the U.S. military, that the SCAF take steps to promote a peaceful transition to democracy and a government in Egypt that is responsive to the Egyptian people.”

Little said the United States has been clear about its position on Egypt’s transition to a democratically elected government and that he believes the SCAF is fully aware of these concerns.

“We believe they’ve taken those concerns onboard, and there’s time for all of this to be sorted out … in the right way,” he said.

Kirby said the Defense Department has enjoyed a strong military-to-military relationship and cooperation with the Egyptian military for more than three decades and still believes in maintaining that connection.

“Speaking from a purely military perspective, that relationship continues,” he said. “It’s been important.”

Kirby said that while Egypt has been going through “a year of momentous change” that has altered the two nations’ exercise regimen, the core of the relationship still remains.

“We’ve expressed our concerns about some of these recent decisions,” Kirby said. “Our hope, and our expectation, is that they will facilitate a smooth, democratic transition in accordance with the constitution of their country. It’s now up to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces to do the things that the Egyptian people expect it to do,” he added.

Deadline for some Wisconsin military voters extended

Wisconsin military and overseas voters from 65 municipalities will have extra time to return their absentee ballot for the April 3 Presidential Preference Primary.

Cities, towns and villages in 35 counties across the state missed the legal deadline of Feb. 18 to send approximately 240 requested ballots to military and overseas voters. Consequently, overseas voters from those areas will have up to 26 additional days to return their ballots.

The extension is a result of a March 23 consent decree between the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board and the U.S. Department of Justice. The Department of Justice viewed the failure of some municipal clerks to ship absentee ballots on time as a violation of the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act, but agreed to a consent decree rather than resolve the issue in court.

Reid Magney, public information officer for the GAB, said that all eligible overseas ballots will be counted.

"The election night vote totals are unofficial," Magney said. "The official count comes from the local canvases, and those will not close until all the absentee ballots have been received."

Magney said that the absentee ballots still must be properly signed, witnessed and postdated by April 3, but municipalities that sent the ballots out late have to allow the same number of days after 4 p.m. April 6 - the normal deadline for absentee ballots - to receive the ballots from overseas. If the number of outstanding absentee ballots will not affect the final outcome - for example, three outstanding absentee ballots will not change a 25-vote margin - municipalities may send a qualified vote total to the GAB and update the figures later.

Under the consent decree, Wisconsin agrees to send absentee ballots by e-mail or FAX if affected overseas voters have not received their ballots by postal mail, and to notify affected voters of an established procedure to determine which ballot is to be counted if a voter returns a ballot by both mail and e-mail. Magney said the GAB sent a news release about the late ballots and consent decree to Stars and Stripes to inform overseas service members, and also posted the information on its website.

Kevin Kennedy, Wisconsin's chief election official, said the federal consent decree will be in effect through the fall 2012 elections.

Overseas voters who requested an absentee ballot but have not received it can also use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) provided by the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP). By selecting "Get My Ballot Now," voters will see an online back-up ballot containing the candidate list.

Other than the presidential candidate primary, the April 3 ballot contains no statewide elections. However, voters from some counties may have elections for judicial office, county board, municipal board, school board and referenda. The names of all federal and state candidates on the April 3 ballot are available on the GAB website.

Military and overseas voters with questions about the absentee voting process may e-mail the GAB or call 1-608-261-2028, or toll-free 1-866-VOTE-WIS.

For additional assistance, contact FVAP at 1-800-438-8683, DSN 425-1584 or at vote@fvap.gov.