Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s commitment to ensuring that military personnel stationed abroad can participate in the democratic process speaks volumes about the value placed on their service and sacrifice. The initiative to improve absentee voting for Georgia’s military citizens underlines a fundamental truth: those who defend our freedoms, including the right to vote, must have unimpeded access to the ballot box, regardless of where duty calls them.
The challenges faced by military voters are multifaceted, involving logistical hurdles, time zone differences, and the security of transmitted votes. These issues contribute to a disparity in turnout rates between military and civilian voters, as highlighted by the Federal Voting Assistance Program’s findings that military voter turnout was significantly lower than that of similar civilian demographics in 2020. This gap underscores not just a logistical problem, but a pressing issue of fairness and representation.
The early-stage prototype developed by VotingWorks, aimed at streamlining the voting process for military personnel, is a step in the right direction. By allowing military voters to transmit a signed, encrypted digital ballot to their home precinct on election day, this initiative addresses both the immediacy and security concerns associated with absentee voting. The use of common access cards (CAC) for authentication ensures the integrity of the vote, while the production of a paper ballot for audit purposes maintains transparency and trust in the process.
However, to build on this foundation, further advancements in technology and policy are necessary. First, expanding electronic ballot access to include state and local elections, not just federal ones, would ensure military voters have a say in all matters that affect them and their hometowns. Additionally, exploring the use of blockchain technology could further enhance the security and verifiability of digital ballots, providing an immutable record of each vote cast.
Michigan’s proposed electronic voting legislation for overseas military voters, for example, H.B. 4210, represents a pivotal advancement towards modernizing military voting, ensuring that those who protect our democracy are fully able to participate in it. Spearheaded by Representative Christine Morse, a Democrat from Kalamazoo County and a proud former military spouse, the bill addresses a critical gap in our electoral system. By enabling military members and their families to return ballots electronically, Michigan acknowledges the unique challenges faced by these voters and takes a significant step towards eliminating these barriers.
This legislation is not just a matter of convenience; it’s a matter of ensuring the voices of those who serve are heard. Morse’s personal experience, missing the opportunity to have her vote counted while stationed overseas, underscores the urgency of reform. The proposed Michigan solution aims to prevent such disenfranchisement, particularly poignant for military spouses, who predominantly feel the impact of electoral outcomes on issues like reproductive rights and pay equity most acutely.
Moreover, addressing the unique challenges faced by military voters in remote or technologically constrained environments, such as submarines, requires innovative thinking. Satellite communication technology, for instance, could be leveraged to provide secure and reliable voting solutions in even the most isolated deployments.
Michigan’s initiative mirrors a broader movement, joining the ranks of thirty-one states and Washington, D.C., that have already embraced some form of electronic ballot return for military and overseas voters. This shift towards digital solutions reflects a growing recognition of the need to modernize voting processes to match the mobility and technological capabilities of the 21st century.
The move by Raffensperger to enhance absentee voting for military personnel aligns with Michigan’s efforts, showcasing a nationwide commitment to ensuring military voters’ access to the ballot. Both initiatives highlight the importance of leveraging technology to facilitate voting, addressing the logistical and security challenges that can deter military voter turnout. By incorporating robust encryption and authentication methods, such as those suggested by the VotingWorks prototype, these reforms promise to deliver both convenience and confidence in the integrity of the vote.
Training and education also play a critical role in improving military absentee voting. Service members should receive comprehensive information on their voting rights and the procedures for casting an absentee ballot, ensuring no voter is disenfranchised due to a lack of knowledge.
Raffensperger’s plan lays a commendable groundwork for enhancing military absentee voting. Yet, as technology evolves and the landscape of digital security advances, so too must our approach to ensuring our heroes overseas are heard at the ballot box. By embracing innovation, prioritizing security, and ensuring inclusivity, Georgia can lead the way in empowering military voters, reinforcing the principle that service to one’s country should never come at the cost of one’s voice in democracy.
William J. Black, III, is a Georgia attorney and a combat-disabled retiree of the United States Air Force.
