Military Absentee Ballot Requests Down 50 in Some States

Cornyn: DoD Must Answer For Growing Military Voter Disenfranchisement

Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. Today were learning our men & women in uniform may be even more disenfranchised than they were before sweeping reforms were signed into law (two years ago) to make it easier for them to exercise their right to vote. This is an unacceptable failure by Pentagon leaders to comply with the law said U.S. Sen. John Cornyn R-Texas earlier today following reports by the Military Voter Protection Project (MVPP).   The Military Voter Protection Project (MVPP) report indicated amongst other findings a 92 drop in absentee-ballot requests by service members in the state of Virginia versus 2008 requests. The Military Voter Protection Project (MVPP) has also concluded that absentee ballot requests by service members are down by well over 50 in other states including:

1. Florida
2. Illinois
3. Nevada
4. North Carolina
5. Ohio and
6. Alaska

The MVPP report comes on the heels of a report issued by the Pentagons Inspector General indicating deficient on-base voter assistance for military service members and their families mandated by the 2009 Military & Overseas Voter Empowerment Act or MOVE Act. This is an unacceptable failure by Pentagon leaders to comply with the law and ensure our service members and their families are able to exercise one of the most fundamental rights for which they sacrifice every day said Cornyn. DoD leaders must answer for this serious failure and do everything in their power to make this right for military voters and their family members." In September Sen. Cornyn and several colleagues wrote to Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta voicing concerns with the DoDs inadequate implementation of on-base voter assistance for military service members and their families. The Senators outlined immediate action items that must be taken to ensure members of the military and their family have the opportunity to vote in Novembers election. A copy of that letter can be found here.  Senator Cornyn serves on the Finance Judiciary Armed Services and the Budget Committees. He serves as the top Republican on the Judiciary Committees Immigration Refugees & Border Security subcommittee. He served previously as Texas Attorney General Texas Supreme Court Justice and Bexar County District Judge.