NYT: Democrats Voice Concerns About the Overseas Vote

[kskiska]

mid new evidence that civilians lagged far behind soldiers in voting from abroad four years ago, political operatives on both sides of the presidential campaign raced this week to help Americans overseas cast their ballots in time for next month's election.

Sixty percent of the overseas military voted in the 2000 election, up from 53 percent in 1996, according to a new Pentagon report obtained yesterday by The New York Times. At the same time, voting by civilians dropped to 22 percent from 29 percent, the report said.

Civilians' low participation rate is raising fears among Democrats who believe that these estimated 3.9 million eligible voters are more likely than members of the military to support John Kerry over President Bush. It is also fueling concern that the Federal Voting Assistance Program, which the Pentagon manages for all overseas voters, may be doing more to help the estimated 500,000 members of the military overseas. Pentagon officials have denied such accusations.

In a meeting with Pentagon aides Wednesday, Democratic Party officials who were briefed on the participation rates urged the voting program managers to post substitute federal write-in ballots on the Internet and so make it easier for civilians who are having trouble getting absentee ballots from their home states.

more…
http://nytimes.com/2004/10/02/politics/campaign/02military.html

[demgrrrll]

1. The Pentagon is way too involved in this for my taste. Why aren't

absentee ballots available?. I think this story has more facets than the reporter is willing to report. Hmmmm.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

2. I can attest to the fact that Democrats Abroad in Japan are BUSY

I was accosted twice in Tokyo by people asking me if I was registered to vote, and Democrats Abroad advertised heavily in the English-language press, offering help with registration and reminding people of deadlines.

All except one of the many expats I talked to were strongly against Bush, and some were voting for the first time in years.

For the first time ever on this trip, I had Japanese people, including clients, ask whether I was a Republican or a Democrat. They seemed to smile and relax when I said that I was a Democrat.

[KitSileya]

4. Democrats Abroad have been active in Norway too.

They've been standing outside cinemas after showings of fahrenheit 9/11 to catch Americans and people with dual citizenship and getting them registered to vote. I seem to remember the deadline was Sep. 7th or something.

There's approximately 23,000 people living in Norway who has the right to vote in the American election.

KitS

[DeepModem Mom]

3. kick

[Sideways]

5. Mailed Mine From Sicily This VERY Morning

Kissed it and dropped it in the box. I mailed it from NAS Sigonella if that isn't rich. I have an Italian friend who is married to an American. She hates Bush and took me to the base to make sure my ballot would be sent to the states from the best/ safest possible place....a US military base.