Missouri military voters can e-mail ballots in November

KELLY WIESE

Associated Press   25 August 2004

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Missouri military members stationed in places such as Iraq will be able to cast their ballots by e-mail in November, the secretary of state's office said Wednesday.

Secretary of State Matt Blunt military members serving in combat areas overseas can complete their ballots, then scan and e-mail them to the Department of Defense, which will forward the ballots to the appropriate local election officials.

Blunt had asked federal officials about the option after some military personnel stationed in Iraq reported trouble getting their absentee ballots in time for the Aug. 3 primary elections.

Members of the military also can fax their ballot, or mail it as other absentee voters do. But Blunt said some soldiers told him that they have easier access to e-mail than fax machines.

Absentee balloting is scheduled to begin Sept. 21. But a lawsuit by the Missouri Democratic Party challenging the state's law on provisional balloting and the counting of some votes cast in the primary has delayed certification of those election results and could push back printing of absentee ballots, Blunt's office said.

Blunt said those stationed in combat areas, including Afghanistan, Iraq and many other countries in the Middle East and beyond, all would be able to e-mail ballots.

Lt. Col. Joe Richard, a Department of Defense spokesman, confirmed that Missouri military members can e-mail in their ballots but said he didn't know how many other states - if any - were making use of the possibility.

The Department of Defense would receive the ballots over secure telephone lines and fax them directly to local election officials for tabulation.

Blunt, a Republican and former naval officer, is running for governor against Democratic State Auditor Claire McCaskill, who defeated current Gov. Bob Holden in the primary.

The Missouri Democratic Party welcomed the news of the e-mail voting option Wednesday.

"It's encouraging. There's absolutely no excuse why our men and women in uniform overseas should experience problems voting," party spokesman Jack Cardetti said.