[War] US: The Free Ballot

[John Penta]

"The Free Ballot"
30 July 2014
Pres. John Williams
USA
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<Travis AFB>

"John, why is it so hard to get an absentee ballot?" He heard Kay say
into the phone.

"Huh?" It was hard? News to POTUS, who had last voted by absentee
ballot, um...A while ago.

"Yeah; I've been trying to help some of the Marines with their GI Bill
stuff, absentee ballots for the elections in November, little things
like that, just to keep myself busy. I can't count how often we're
getting flak from the counties."

"Mmm. Odd that they should."

"They seem to do everything they can to make it so these guys can't vote."

"Keep a log of what comes up today - if there's anybody we need to sit
on, I'll sic DOJ on em."

"Okay."

"Now then, how is everything?"

"Good. Miss you, though."

"Yeah - this prep is helpful, but still. I miss you," John admitted.
---
More came in on the same issue - this time from DOD, the IG reporting
increasing static from states and counties on getting absentee ballots
to military voters. Most of it wasn't recalcitrance, just bureaucratic
inertia at work, but the result was the same: military members not
getting their ballots on time, if at all, or not able to get filled
out ballots in, or counted if they did. In short, a lost vote.

Thus, the White House proposed legislation to Congress, thr Federal
Voter Act of 2014.
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Those in military service, the foreign service, or otherwise outside
the bounds of the United States make up a consistent class of voter in
all relevant aspects, the bill found, and it was therefore necessary
to ensure consistent treatment nationwide.

Those voting by absentee ballot from outside the United States also
tended to be hindered by the diversity of state and local regulations
to such an extent as to render voting impractical if not impossible.
This effectively disenfranchised this class of voters.

Now therefore the Bill enacted the following uniform requirements for ballots:

1. Absentee ballots must be sent at least 40 days prior to the
election - Less if NIST-certified secure technology was used to
deliver the ballot electronically.
2. Ballots must be accepted regardless of how they arrive -
Legislative history would make it clear this included ballots
arriving, for example, through registered mail, FedEx overnights, or
whatever - so long as it is a valid ballot, properly filled out, that
[hysically gets there within 3 days of the election, it must be
counted. Currently, more...hardheaded jurisdictions could refuse
ballots not sent  However, it must be a physical ballot, not an
email-returned ballot.

At the same time, it included a big stick: Failure to follow the
requirements in good faith left the county board of elections, or
state board of elections, on the hook for fines of up to $50,000 per
ballot not counted. It was seen as...unlikely you'd have many
problems, but it was there just in case.

It wouldn't help the 2014 elections, really...But 2016 was doable.
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Inspiration: http://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/story.asp?STORY_ID=1525
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Actions:
1. Nudge through the Federal Voter Act of 2014.