state-by-state assessment Protecting military voting rights
The Military and Overseas Voter Empower- ment (MOVE) Act makes it easier for servicemembers overseas to vote. “Among other provisions, the MOVE Act requires states to transmit validly requested absentee ballots to [overseas military] voters no later than 45 days before a federal election,” according to the Department of Justice.
Push comes to shove
A March 2012 report from the Pew Center on the States (
www.pewstates.org), Democracy From Afar, found 38 states and the District of Columbia had “laws or rules meeting or exceeding the federal requirement,” though some states have had trouble meeting the 45-day requirement across the state. For assistance with military voting, visit
www.fvap.gov.
Ahead of the pack
The Military Voter Protection Project has recognized 15 states — Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia — for their exceptional efforts to meet the provisions of the act.
through the assistance of service- members and their family,” says Marcus Beauregard, chief of the DoD State Liaison Office. “They rec- ognize that these individuals have made a commitment to the nation, and this is just their way of saying, ‘We recognize that commitment, and we understand that your life is difficult as a result of your decision to support the nation.’ Lawmak- ers are looking for opportunities to reduce that burden by cutting out these small barriers.”
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ment each other in their efforts. On the one hand, DoD works to educate state legislators about the challenges that military families face, which can include sharing examples of legisla- tion from other states that solve a par- ticular problem; arranging testimony of subject-matter experts who can address technical issues; and giving servicemembers and their spouses a platform to explain how solving these problems will improve their lives. On the other hand, through the ef- forts of more than 400 local chapters as well as individual members, MOAA is able to mobilize grassroots efforts to lobby local politicians about these
issues. Members write letters and call legislators to ensure the voices of military families are heard. State lawmakers on both sides of the aisle generally have been receptive to the concerns of military families. “There is a sense within the state that they have an equal obligation to look after their nation’s defense
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states waive residency requirements for veterans so they are eligible for in-state tuition rates.
states offer higher-education benefits to the spouses or the children of certain disabled veterans.
N MILITARY OFFICER NOVEMBER 2012 S T ATE -B Y- S T ATE ASSESSMENT
What MOAA members can do to help MOAA members like you have firsthand experience of the chal- lenges facing veterans and currently serving military families, and that gives you great credibility when you speak up on their behalf. In order to help advance a solution for these is- sues, you can: keep abreast of the status of legisla- tion in your state; work closely with your local MOAA chapter (find it via www
.moaa.org/chapterlocator), and be ready to spring into action when there is a need; and be aware of your surroundings. There might be issues affecting mili- tary families of which MOAA and national leaders are not aware. If an issue in your state is a barrier to veterans or military families, contact your MOAA chapter and bring it to their attention.
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VOTE
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