House passes military overseas voting bill - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

House passes military overseas voting bill

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MONTGOMERY, AL - 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 Tuesday, 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."