Can troops stationed abroad vote? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Jimellow · 11-04-2008, 09:22 AM

Given that they're in the thick of things, I'm curious if troops stationed overseas can still participate in the election?

YaWhateva · 11-04-2008, 09:26 AM

I'm pretty sure they vote absentee.

snowy · 11-04-2008, 09:28 AM

The short answer: Yes.

The long answer: Yes, but their vote may not get counted. Absentee ballot requirements vary from state to state (for instance, some require a witness to sign a form), and given the number of absentee ballots a lot of states are having to send overseas to troops, this complicates things. Some states were not prepared and have not necessarily allowed for the needed turnaround time that sending a ballot over there and back again requires.

Have you had your head buried in the sand for the last few weeks? There have been a few stories out there in the news about troops voting, namely saying that there were a number of difficulties in 2004 and only about 30% of the troop vote was counted, and that they expect similar difficulties this time around.

Here is an article from CNN that explains what's going on: Ballots from U.S. troops risk being discarded - CNN.com

Bill O'Rights · 11-04-2008, 09:32 AM

Yeah. What she^ said.

Yes, they can vote, but it can sometimes be a complicated and convoluted process. The problem is with the service member's home state (state of record) not the military. The Armed Forces make every possible contigency to ensure that servicemen can vote.

11-04-2008, 09:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
Jimellow Junkie	Can troops stationed abroad vote? Given that they're in the thick of things, I'm curious if troops stationed overseas can still participate in the election? __________________ Desperation is no excuse for lowering one's standards.

11-04-2008, 09:26 AM	#2 (permalink)
YaWhateva Friend Location: New Mexico	I'm pretty sure they vote absentee. __________________ “If the Americans go in and overthrow Saddam Hussein and it's clean, he has nothing, I will apologize to the nation, and I will not trust the Bush administration again.” - Bill O'Reilly "This is my United States of Whateva!"

11-04-2008, 09:28 AM	#3 (permalink)
snowy Kick Ass Kunoichi Location: Oregon	The short answer: Yes. The long answer: Yes, but their vote may not get counted. Absentee ballot requirements vary from state to state (for instance, some require a witness to sign a form), and given the number of absentee ballots a lot of states are having to send overseas to troops, this complicates things. Some states were not prepared and have not necessarily allowed for the needed turnaround time that sending a ballot over there and back again requires. Have you had your head buried in the sand for the last few weeks? There have been a few stories out there in the news about troops voting, namely saying that there were a number of difficulties in 2004 and only about 30% of the troop vote was counted, and that they expect similar difficulties this time around. Here is an article from CNN that explains what's going on: Ballots from U.S. troops risk being discarded - CNN.com __________________ If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

11-04-2008, 09:32 AM	#4 (permalink)
Bill O'Rights will always be an Alyson Hanniganite Location: In the dust of the archives	Yeah. What she^ said. Yes, they can vote, but it can sometimes be a complicated and convoluted process. The problem is with the service member's home state (state of record) not the military. The Armed Forces make every possible contigency to ensure that servicemen can vote. __________________ "I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." - Susan B. Anthony "Hedonism with rules isn't hedonism at all, it's the Republican party." - JumpinJesus It is indisputable that true beauty lies within...but a nice rack sure doesn't hurt.