Moran says more needs to be done to protect military voting rights

Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) said Thursday that he’s concerned that fewer military service members and their spouses are voting.

“The right to vote and choose our nation’s leaders is the most important privilege we as citizens have in a democracy, Moran said in a statement released Thursday. “As service members and their families are frequently moved around the nation on short notice or sent abroad, having access to an absentee ballot should be the least of their concerns."

Moran cited recent reports that showed a steep decline in absentee ballot requests from military personnel and their spouses compared to 2008. Reports also indicate that on-base voter assistance for military service members, which was mandated by the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act, is inadequate.

“The Department of Defense has an obligation under federal law to assist those voting on military installations overseas,” Moran said. “No effort should be spared to make certain the men and women serving our country in uniform — and the families by their side — can exercise their right to choose the leaders responsible for sending them into harm’s way in defense of our democracy."

According to Moran, the Military Voter Protection Project (MVPP) found a 92 percent drop in absentee-ballot requests by service members in Virginia, as well as a more than 50 percent decrease in other swing states including Florida, North Carolina, Ohio and Nevada.

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