A bill proposed by several members of Congress would allow service members stationed overseas to cast their votes electronically.
The Reducing Barriers for Military Voters Act would create an end-to-end encrypted electronic voting network for actively deployed soldiers in dangerous areas. In addition, a “verifiable, auditable vote trail” would back up the system.
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The bill, introduced by Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), mirrors a House version of the bill proposed by Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) earlier this year.
Troops stationed outside the U.S. typically must print, sign, and mail their ballots. International mail is not always reliable. Duckworth said votes cast by military and overseas citizens are often received after states’ deadlines and are three times more likely to be rejected.
“It’s a sad fact that servicemembers in faraway or isolated posts sometimes can’t participate in the very same democratic system they are fighting for,” Cornyn said in a statement. “This legislation will allow active-duty troops deployed to some of our most difficult assignments to safely and securely cast their ballots.”
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The members of Congress suggest giving the Department of Defense “maximum flexibility” to best decide how to implement the voting system. The legislation would instruct the department to test the service with a small number of service members in 2024 before expanding it in 2026.
“Servicemembers face numerous barriers to voting that make it more difficult for them to more fully participate in our democracy by exercising their right to vote,” Duckworth said in a statement.
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