Federal Voting Assistance Program

AFL-CIO, Chamber of Commerce, National Faith Leaders Call for Votes to Be Counted

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 3, 2020
Elections, Articles, Government, Statistical methods, Vote counting, Voting, Postal voting in the United States, Federal Voting Assistance Program

"With voting ending today, it is imperative that election officials be given the space and time to count every vote in accordance with applicable laws.

Key Points: 
  • "With voting ending today, it is imperative that election officials be given the space and time to count every vote in accordance with applicable laws.
  • We call on the media, the candidates and the American people to exercise patience with the process and trust in our system, even if it requires more time than usual.
  • It is important to remember that challenges are a normal part of every election.
  • A free and fair election is one in which everyone eligible to cast a ballot can, all ballots are counted consistent with the law, and the American people, through their votes, determine the outcome."

Study: Military Votes Could Decide 2020 Election

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
Elections, Voting, Government, Absentee ballot, Postal voting, Vote counting, Postal voting in the United States, Federal Voting Assistance Program

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --Most overseas service members vote by mail, their ballots will arrive after Election Day, and their votes could significantly impact the November 3 election results.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, Oct. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --Most overseas service members vote by mail, their ballots will arrive after Election Day, and their votes could significantly impact the November 3 election results.
  • Hundreds of thousands of military votes are expected to be cast this election via overseas absentee ballot.
  • More than 75 percent of the available votes in the Electoral College will come from states counting overseas military ballots after Election Day.
  • Count Every Hero is a cross-partisan campaign to ensure all service members' votes are counted before election winners are declared.

Former Top Military Brass: Count All Ballots Before Winner Declared

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 22, 2020
Voting, Elections, Group decision-making, Government, Vote counting, Voter turnout, Federal Voting Assistance Program, Absentee ballot

We may not have results on Election Night, making it imperative that all ballots, including military ballots, are counted before a candidate declares victory.

Key Points: 
  • We may not have results on Election Night, making it imperative that all ballots, including military ballots, are counted before a candidate declares victory.
  • Count Every Herosupporters include veterans of all branches of the military, a wide range of active and retired service personnel, as well as military members, their families and dependents.
  • Count Every Hero is a member of the Military Vote Coalition , a group of military family and veteran support organizations whose mission is to increase voter participation.
  • Count Every Hero is a cross-partisan campaign to ensure all service members' votes are counted before election winners are declared.

NIC Maine Partners With State of Maine to Offer Online Absentee Ballot Request Service for General Election

Retrieved on: 
Monday, August 24, 2020
Public policy, Government, State, Local, Technology, Software, Internet, Elections, Campaigns, Voting, Absentee ballot, Political terminology, Elections, Absentee, Matthew Dunlap, Government, Federal Voting Assistance Program, NIC Maine, NIC

Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap is pleased to announce the Online Absentee Ballot Request Service is now available for the Nov. 3 general election.

Key Points: 
  • Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap is pleased to announce the Online Absentee Ballot Request Service is now available for the Nov. 3 general election.
  • The Maine Elections Division and the states digital solutions partner, NIC Maine, have improved the design of the online service to make options easier to read and understand.
  • We are thrilled at the improvements made to the Online Absentee Ballot Request Service, said Dan Andrews, General Manager of NIC Maine.
  • Voters must submit absentee ballot requests or vote in-person absentee at least three business days prior to the Nov. 3 election.

U.S. Postal Service Launches New Election Mail Website

Retrieved on: 
Friday, August 21, 2020
Mail, Voting, Elections, Federal Voting Assistance Program, Postal voting in the United States

Postal Service has launched a new Election Mail website.

Key Points: 
  • Postal Service has launched a new Election Mail website.
  • In response, the Postal Service has updated its website to serve both voting customers seeking information on how to use the mail to vote and election officials seeking resources to help make their administration of the upcoming elections a success.
  • The Postal Service also recommends that voters mail their ballots at least one week prior to their states' due dates to allow for timely receipt by election officials.
  • Postal Service remains fully committed to fulfilling its role in the electoral process when policymakers choose to use our services in administering elections.The Postal Service can fully handle and deliver the anticipated increase in Election Mail volume and is continuing to coordinate with state and local election officials through November.

Blind Michigan Voters File Federal Lawsuit Against Secretary of State to Give Sightless Equal Chance at Absentee Voting

Retrieved on: 
Monday, April 27, 2020
Elections, Absentee ballot, Political terminology, Voting, Politics, Electronic voting, Absentee, Group decision-making, Federal Voting Assistance Program

The lawsuit alleges that Michigan's absentee voting system, which only offers traditional paper ballots that must be completed by hand, is unusable for blind Michigan voters.

Key Points: 
  • The lawsuit alleges that Michigan's absentee voting system, which only offers traditional paper ballots that must be completed by hand, is unusable for blind Michigan voters.
  • With the expectation of historically-high absentee voting in upcoming elections due to COVID-19, Mr. Powell and Mr. Wurtzel demand that blind voters are provided a fair and equal opportunity to access the ballot box.
  • "In light of the pandemic, the urgency to bring Michigan's absentee voting system into the 21st century is more critical than ever."
  • Michigan's Constitution was amended by statewide ballot proposal in 2018guaranteeing every Michigan voter the right to vote absentee for any reason.

Pennsylvania Voters Should Request Absentee Ballots Early for May Primary

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Elections, Absentee ballot, Political terminology, Voting, Kathy Boockvar, Absentee, Politics, Government, Federal Voting Assistance Program, Universal Right to Vote by Mail Act

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 16, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --Acting Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar today encouraged eligible Pennsylvania voters to submit applications for primary election absentee ballots before the May 14 deadline.

Key Points: 
  • HARRISBURG, Pa., April 16, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --Acting Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar today encouraged eligible Pennsylvania voters to submit applications for primary election absentee ballots before the May 14 deadline.
  • Under the state election code, applications for absentee ballots must be received no later than one week before Election Day.
  • "The election code sets a tight turnaround time just four days between the last day Pennsylvania voters can request an absentee ballot and when their completed absentee ballot must be received," Boockvar said.
  • Comprehensive information about absentee ballots, including a downloadable request form (PDF), can be found at the Department of State's website votesPA.com .

Armed Forces Voting

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, November 24, 2018
Elections, Politics, Voting, Group decision-making, Voter registration, Electoral system, Federal Voting Assistance Program, Proxy voting

Friday, November 23, 2018The Armed Forces can register to vote as ordinary electors, as overseas voters, or as service voters. There has been concern about the under-registration of the Armed Forces, especially those serving overseas, and the difficulties they face in participating in the electoral process more generally.The Note also gives a brief history of how the system of voting by members of the Armed Forces has changed, particularly during the periods directly after each World War.

Key Points: 
  • There has been concern about the under-registration of the Armed Forces, especially those serving overseas, and the difficulties they face in participating in the electoral process more generally.The Note also gives a brief history of how the system of voting by members of the Armed Forces has changed, particularly during the periods directly after each World War.
  • The Armed Forces can register to vote as ordinary electors, as overseas voters, or as service voters.
  • The results of the Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS) 2018 indicated that 86% of respondents were registered to vote.
  • This Note also gives a brief history of how the system of voting by members of the Armed Forces emerged, particularly during the periods directly after each World War.

Secretary of State Encourages Pennsylvanians to Request Absentee Ballots Early

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 17, 2018
Elections, Absentee ballot, Political terminology, Voting, Absentee, Politics, Government, Federal Voting Assistance Program, Universal Right to Vote by Mail Act

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --Acting Secretary of State Robert Torres today encouraged Pennsylvanians to submit requests for absentee ballots before the October 30 deadline.

Key Points: 
  • HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --Acting Secretary of State Robert Torres today encouraged Pennsylvanians to submit requests for absentee ballots before the October 30 deadline.
  • Under the state election code, applications for absentee ballots must be submitted no later than one week before Election Day.
  • "There isn't much time between the statutory deadlines to request an absentee ballot and to return the completed ballot to the county elections office," Secretary Torres said.
  • "Pennsylvanians planning to vote by absentee ballot are strongly urged to submit their absentee ballot application (PDF) as soon as possible."

Secretary of State Encourages Pennsylvanians to Request Absentee Ballots Early

Retrieved on: 
Monday, April 23, 2018
Elections, Voting, Politics, Absentee ballot, Political terminology, Election Day, Absentee, Government, Federal Voting Assistance Program, Universal Right to Vote by Mail Act, Electoral fraud

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 23, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --Acting Secretary of State Robert Torres today encouraged Pennsylvanians to submit requests for primary election absentee ballots before the deadline of May 8.

Key Points: 
  • HARRISBURG, Pa., April 23, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --Acting Secretary of State Robert Torres today encouraged Pennsylvanians to submit requests for primary election absentee ballots before the deadline of May 8.
  • Under the state election code, applications for absentee ballots must be received no later than one week before Election Day.
  • Absentee voters must return their voted ballot to their county election office by Friday, May 11.
  • Comprehensive information about absentee ballots, including a downloadable request form (PDF), can be found at the Department of State's website votesPA.com .