MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Secretary of State Beth
Chapman and the Military and Overseas Voting Task Force are one step closer to
making electronic voting for overseas voters a reality. The Alabama House of
Representatives voted 96-0 in support of House Bill 30, which will further the
effort to make Alabama one of the first states in the nation to implement an
innovative process for military and overseas voters to vote more efficiently
and effectively.
House Bill 30, the Task Force legislation,
will give military and overseas voters four ways to obtain a ballot other than
the US Postal Service. These other methods include: commercial carriers such as
UPS and Fed Ex, a secure fax line, email, and secure electronic transmission.
The bill will also authorize overseas voters to return their ballots using
those same means except through electronic transmission.
“We are definitely thrilled with the progress
that the bill made today. We are hopeful that this level of progress will
continue,” Chapman said. “The Military and Overseas Voting Task Force worked
extremely hard and has found a champion in Representative Jimmy Martin who
understood how essential it was to pass this vital legislation for our men and
women in uniform,” she continued. “I am grateful for the support of
Representative Martin, the Task Force, and the House of Representatives on this
most important issue.”
“The thousands of soldiers who will be
deployed from our state before the 2010 General Election and those already
overseas should know there are many individuals in Alabama who are working hard
to get them a more efficient and effective way to vote.”
Chapman says that the Senate will hopefully
take up the bill shortly. “We are optimistic that this progress will continue
and that this effort will be realized for our soldiers and overseas voters this
year.”