Committee on House Administration

 

 

 THE NEY-DODD-HOYER-MCCONNELL HELP AMERICA VOTE ACT OF 2002
(H.R. 3295)
ASSISTANCE FOR MILITARY AND OVERSEAS VOTERS
The Help America Vote Act contains provisions to improve ballot access for military and overseas voters.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT:

MILITARY VOTING ASSISTANCE OFFICERS MUST BE GUARANTEED THE TIME AND RESOURCES THEY NEED TO HELP MILITARY PERSONNEL VOTE
-GAO study found that such time and resources have often not been provided in the past.

DOD MUST MAKE CERTAIN THAT ALL MILITARY BALLOTS HAVE POSTMARKS (OR OTHER OFFICIAL PROOF OF MAILING DATE) TO ENSURE THAT NO BALLOTS ARE DISQUALIFIED FOR THIS REASON
-In Florida, non-postmarked military ballots became an issue.

DOD MUST PROVIDE MILITARY PERSONNEL WITH APPLICABLE DEADLINES AND OTHER TIMELY INFORMATION ON REGISTRATION AND VOTING
-Military personnel need to be guaranteed this information in order to vote on time.

NEW MILITARY ENLISTEES MUST BE GIVEN A VOTER REGISTRATION FORM
-Welfare applicants get one. Enlistees should too.


REQUIREMENTS FOR STATES:

STATES MUST ESTABLISH A SINGLE STATE OFFICE MANDATED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON REGISTRATION AND ABSENTEE VOTING
-This will make it easier for military personnel to get information on voting processes.

STATES MUST REPORT THE NUMBER OF MILITARY AND OVERSEAS APPLICATIONS AND BALLOTS RECEIVED
-Measuring performance is critical to improving it.

STATES MUST PROVIDE OVERSEAS ABSENTEE BALLOTS FOR TWO GENERAL ELECTIONS TO VOTERS WHO REQUEST THEM
-Voters are saved the time and inconvenience of an annual application.


STATES MUST ACCEPT A STANDARD OATH FOR VERIFYING ELECTION MATERIALS
-Overseas and military voters can use a standard form.

STATES MAY NOT REFUSE BALLOTS FOR BEING SUBMITTED TOO EARLY
-Military personnel who will be isolated for long periods of time (submariners, for example) must be allowed to vote early.

STATES MUST NOTIFY OVERSEAS AND MILITARY VOTERS WHOSE APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN REJECTED
-This requirement applies to both voter registration and absentee ballot requests.

THE ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION MUST STUDY AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON MILITARY ISSUES INCLUDING:
-The Right of Military Voters to Choose Residence;
-The Right to a Secret Ballot for Military Voters;
-Deadlines for Sending Ballots to and from Overseas;
-The Timely Transmission of Balloting Materials;
-Security and Privacy in Transmitting Ballots; and
-Fax and Electronic Transmission of Ballots.
 
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