How we fared in military voting report: Hooah!

The Federal Election Assistance Commission has issued its report on military and overseas voting in the 2010 General Election. The report shows that Washington does an excellent job serving our military and overseas voters. Washington continues to be one of the top five states when it comes to sending out ballots to these voters. California ranks first with 89,582 ballots, followed by Florida (75,268), Texas (69,526), New York (54,495) and Washington (52,892). It’s worth noting that the top five states transmitted 56 percent of all military and overseas ballots sent and received nationwide. When it comes to counting military and overseas ballots returned, Washington is even more impressive, noted Katie Blinn, state Elections Division co-director. Our state counted 99.1 percent of its military and overseas ballots that were returned. What makes this especially noteworthy is that this percentage is based on the 20,929 ballots cast in last year’s General Election. Meanwhile, those states whose percentages are comparable to Washington have only a handful of military and overseas voters. Secretary of State Sam Reed said he was gratified with the national report:

“We have long made it a priority to serve our military and overseas voters. With the support of the governor and Legislature, we moved our primary earlier so we could mail out ballots at least 45 days before the election. We work with the military on voter registration and good, solid voter education. “Now, more than ever, we honor our state’s many service members and those who are volunteering abroad for Peace Corps and relief and missionary work. They may be away from us temporarily, but they are still valued members of our community and deserve to have their voices heard.”

Earlier this year, the Legislature and Gov. Gregoire approved a bill requested by Reed that allows military and overseas voters to return their ballots via e-mail or fax. Washington residents, including those in the military or overseas, can register online to vote by going here.