I. In Focus This Week
FVAP report shows continued trends in military voting
Report highlights successes and future challenges
By
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Senior Associate, Pew Center on the States
The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) recently released its 2010 Post Election Report, which included a wealth of information on the participation of military voters and their spouses.
This release follows the recent publication of data and a report on military and overseas voting by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.
While the report includes numerous details focusing on the specifics of members of this community, the general trend is clear: members of the military and their spouses are highly engaged in the elections process and continue to register and vote at higher rates than the general electorate.
Unlike the EAC, which simply reports data provided by states as part of the Election Administration and Voting Survey, the FVAP adjusted military participation data to account for the age and gender of the generally younger and male population of uniformed voters. FVAP also surveyed a number of populations to ascertain their level of participation in 2010.
The result of both of these efforts yielded data showing that military participation in registration and voting is strong, mirroring figures from 2008. Moreover, military voter participation increased in 2010 – more than 20 percent over 2006.
For the first time, FVAP also surveyed military spouses, who are entitled to the same protections under federal and state laws and face hurdles of their own when attempting to register and cast a ballot.
On their own, these numbers clearly show that these voters are more involved in the electoral process than the average citizen, but when you take into account unique challenges they face, the numbers are even more compelling.
For example, many military voters face specific challenges: numerous deployments and relocations; convoluted laws that vary by state and lack uniformity; as well as remote locations that make it difficult to get information, update registration, or get mail quickly to and from their state election offices.
Despite that, those in the military register at a rate of 77 percent compared to 65 percent for the greater eligible voting population. Similarly, both members of the military and their spouses vote at a higher rate than the average voter.
Compared to 2006, 24 percent more military personnel cast an absentee ballot in 2010, a number that may be attributed to new state and federal laws that took effect in response to the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act.
Unfortunately, the rate of military voters who never received their ballot also went up, suggesting that more work needs to be done to ensure this community is served.
Many of these voters (73 percent of spouses and 38 percent of servicemembers) also used state and local forms, rather than the official federal forms, which may not have allowed them to self-identify as a UOCAVA voter and take advantage of those benefits and protections.
The Pew Center on the States’ Election Initiatives has long worked on behalf of military and overseas voters and these numbers are extremely illuminating and help to guide our work further.
We know more certain than ever that those serving and representing our country overseas want to participate our democracy, and we are dedicated to supporting them with the policies and tools they need.
In addition to advocating for changes in state laws to make the voting process easier for military and overseas voters, our Voting Information Project and Upgrading Voter Registration initiatives are making it easier for these voters to navigate the voter registration process and get the tools and information they need to request a ballot, find the right deadlines, and successfully cast a ballot.
For example, Pew is currently developing an embeddable tool that aims to serve as a one-stop-shop for answering military voters’ questions, including user-specific deadlines and access to a custom Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot, all based on a voter’s registered address stateside.
This tool could be embedded on state election websites or even military information outlets to simplify the process by providing them with official information where they look for it: on news or military organizations’ websites. These findings tell us that these voters are engaged and simply need more outlets and easier access to the information they need.
II. Election News This Week
- While many states have gotten away from holding two primaries in 2012, circumstances around redistricting are forcing Ohio to schedule a presidential preference primary and a state primary. The primaries will be held in March and June. Upon the announcement, local elections officials quickly listed the impacts two primaries will have on voters and elections officials. Franklin County estimates a second primary will cost the county an additional $1M. The overall estimated additional cost to taxpayers statewide is $15M. Officials in Columbiana County fear that two primaries will confuse voters and ultimately drive down voter turnout in one of the primaries.
- Voters in New Mexico’s second largest county will be using vote centers for the 2012 primary and general election. This week the Dona Ana County commission voted 5-0 to make the switch to eliminate the state’s 82 remaining polling places and replace them with 39 at-large voting centers. It’s estimated the move will save the county $170,000 in the first election year.
- New Smyrna Beach High School [Fla.], civics teacher Jill Cicciarelli didn’t end up in the principal’s office, but she did end up at the center of a political storm when she helped her students pre-register to vote. Volusia County Supervisor of Elections Ann McFall is no fan of the new Florida law that requires third parties that help voters register so when she heard the story about Cicciarelli, she knew she would have to report the teacher. "This isn't someone who was going to commit fraud," McFall told The News Journal. "She was doing a good thing. New Smyrna Beach High School was doing a good thing." According to the paper, since the law took effect in July, the state Division of Elections has issued only warnings. No incident has been turned over to the attorney general's office for enforcement, said Chris Cate, a spokesman with the secretary of state's office. U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson has entered the fray as well.
- File this one under, well I’m not really sure what to file this one under. Officials in the Maine town of Sanford were recently faced with quite a quandary when they realized that a banquet hall used as a polling place was also being used for monthly sex parties. Ultimately the town made the choice to move the polling place for the upcoming Nov. 8 election. “Not knowing what might be present or how clean the hall might be, we moved the polling place in case anyone might be uncomfortable voting there,” Town Clerk Sue Cote told The Portland Press Herald.
- Honors & Awards: Seminole County, Fla. Supervisor of Elections Michael Ertel has been awarded an Innovator Award from Campaigns and Elections Magazine. The Utah Lieutenant Governor’s office has been recognized with a Government Achievement Award from the Center for Digital Government for the state’s online voter registration system. Marshall County, Tenn. Elections Administrator Tristan Arnold has passed the Certification Exam for Administrators of Elections.
- Personnel News: Clifford Tatum has been named the new executive director of the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics. Tatum takes over for Paul E. Stenbjorn who has served since the summer resignation of previous director Rokey W. Suleman. Stenbjorn is leaving to run the U.S. operations for Scytl, a Spanish company specializing in election technology. Incumbent Louisiana Secretary of State Tom Schedler narrowly defeated Jim Tucker in Saturday’s primary. Harry D. Butler has been appointed to a second term as chairman of the Etowah County board of registrars. The list of candidates seeking the Missouri secretary of state’s seat is getting longer. This week, Rep. Shane Schoeller (R-Willard) formally announced his candidacy. Washington, D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray is once again putting forth a nominee for the city’s board of elections and ethics. This time the nominee is former city auditor Deborah Nichols.
III. Research and Report Summaries
electionline provides brief summaries of recent research and reports in the field of election administration. Please e-mail links to research to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Legislative Action Bulletin (LAB) — National Conference of State Legislatures, October 20, 2011: This edition of LAB, which focuses on election administration legislation in states, provides updates on bills in California and proposals in several states related to the Electoral College.
IV. Opinions
National: Bilingual ballots; Electoral College, II
Alabama: Disabled voters
Arizona: Yuma elections
California: Instant-runoff voting, II
Colorado: County clerks; Pitkin County clerk
Florida: Election reform law, II, III, IV
Georgia: Early voting
Illinois: Voter ID
Indiana: Vote centers; Elections process; Absentee voting
Louisiana: Post-election rest
Maine: Same-day registration, II, III, IV, V
Massachusetts: Voter ID
Michigan: Election reform
Minnesota: Ranked-choice voting
Mississippi: Elections cooperation
New Hampshire: Secretary of state
New Jersey: Ballot problems
New York: Absentee ballots
North Carolina: State elections board
South Carolina: Primary; Voter ID
South Dakota: Bilingual ballots
Tennessee: Voter ID, II, III, IV
Utah: Voter registration
Virginia: Election referendum
Washington: Bilingual ballots
Wisconsin: Voter ID, II; GAB; Bilingual ballots
V. Job Openings
electionlineWeekly publishes election administration job postings each week as a free service to our readers. To have your job listed in the newsletter, please send a copy of the job description, including a web link to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Job postings must be received by 5pm on Wednesday in order to appear in the Thursday newsletter. Listings will run for three weeks or till the deadline listed in the posting.
Associate Counsel for Voting Rights Project, The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law — seeking two bright and creative attorneys with organizing skills to serve as associate counsels. Attorneys will work with the Voting Rights and Legal Mobilization Projects in implementing the Election Protection Program – the nation’s largest, non-partisan voter protection program which works year round to address barriers to the ballot box for traditionally disenfranchised voters. The ideal candidates must be able to balance traditional legal with some organizing responsibilities. Qualifications: Ideal candidates will be licensed attorneys in their first 4 years of practice. Positions requires candidates who can work well under the pressure of a campaign-type environment, handle significant responsibility and make thoughtful decisions in short time periods. Candidates will become proficient in identifying and addressing obstacles to the ballot box and work with pro bono legal networks in to identify legal issues and develop and implement solutions. Fluency in Spanish is a plus. Extensive travel will be required. Positions are temporary and will last from January 2012 to December 2012 with a possibility of continued employment. Application: Please send a letter of interest, resume and three references to Kathy Coates at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Kathy Coates, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, 1401 New York Avenue, Suite 400, Washington, D.C. 20005. If you are applying by email please include REF#ACVRP11411 in the subject line of the email. Deadline: Nov. 4.
Director, Registration and Elections, Fulton County, Ga. — incumbent in this class performs duties related to directing the overall activities of the Department of Registration and Elections. Responsibilities include overseeing elections administration, voter registration, absentee balloting, voter education and outreach, and support services and establishing the department’s mission, vision, goals, and objectives. Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, political science, organizational development, project management, social science or related field, 7 years of progressively responsible management experience in government administration, business administration, or a legal field involving interpretation of governmental laws, rules and statutes, including 3 years of elections experience and 5 years of supervisory experience. Valid Georgia driver’s license and proof of residency may be requested. Salary: $93,489-$151,455. Application: Online application is available at the county’s website. Completed forms will be accepted at the County Personnel Dept., 141 Pryor Street, Ste., 3030, Atlanta, Ga. 30303. Deadline: Nov. 21.
Information Technology Director, District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics — act as a Database Administrator and provide for the design, implementation, maintenance and repair of BOEE. Guides the selection, installation and maintenance of network infrastructure equipment. Analyzes network equipment and their supporting operating systems software and utilities supplied by hardware manufacturers and/or other vendors to determine optimum configuration for the installation and impact on existing network infrastructure systems. Qualifications: Bachelors of Science and/or Technical certifications. Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, at least one (1) year of specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Salary: $109,062-$155,686. Application: D.C. Department of Human Resources (DCHR) Care Center located in the South Lobby at 441 - 4th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20001. Deadline: Nov. 4
Information Technology Specialist, District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics — assist in planning, designing, developing and implementing the agency (BOEE). Modify database from detailed specifications and troubleshoots systems to identify deficiencies and recommend solutions. Hardware management including workstations, monitors, headsets and other agency peripheral equipment maintenance. Routine system maintenance and troubleshooting as well as provide user assistance. Perform function and failover testing of hardware and software. Provides technical assistance in the design, development, and implementation of improved program designs/operations. Reviews and analyzes planning and operations activities of major program areas administered by the DC Board of Elections and Ethics. Based upon assessments made, identifies actual or potential problem areas, trends, and/or areas of significant concerns. Salary: $62,499-$79,959. Application: D.C. Department of Human Resources (DCHR) Care Center located in the South Lobby at 441 - 4th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20001. Deadline: Nov. 5.