Senate Committee Votes in Favor of Bills to to Fix Michigan's Broken Military Voting System-- Election Package Now Headed to Full Senate for Review

Oakland County Clerk Ruth Johnson, who has led efforts to improve voting for Michigan's military personnel deployed overseas, congratulated the state Senate Committee on Campaign & Election Oversight for voting in favor of several bills Wednesday that will streamline that process. "We cleared another hurdle," said Johnson, who created Operation: Our Troops Count with Macomb County Clerk Carmella Sabaugh and Wayne County Clerk Cathy Garrett after a national report scolded Michigan and 15 other states for failing to provide enough time for overseas military to get their votes home in time to be counted on Election Day. The problem largely stems from overseas mailing delays. "Failing our overseas troops is unacceptable--but we can and are moving forward," said Johnson, who testified before the Committee Wednesday. Macomb County Clerk Carmella Sabaugh did not testify at Wednesday's hearing but issued this statement: Oakland County Clerk Ruth Johnson and I believe we need to make sure those fighting for democracy can participate in it. We can do it with existing technology while cutting taxpayer postage costs. The package of military voting bills approved by the committee Wednesday includes bills sponsored by two Oakland County legislators. House Bill 5279, sponsored by Rep. Vince Gregory (D-Southfield), would allow local clerks to fax or email ballots to troops overseas, something done successfully in many other states. Another bill, sponsored by Sen. John Pappageorge (R-Troy) would revise election deadlines to streamline the process. Both men are veterans. "This is a bipartisan, common sense answer that puts proven technology to work and will save expensive postage while maintaining integrity in the absentee voting process," said Johnson. "We owe this to our troops serving so courageously on our behalf." Veterans organizations across the state have supported Johnson's efforts. In a January 2009 report issued by the Pew Center on the States, Michigan was listed as one of 16 "no-time-to-vote" states. Local clerks have testified previously that ballots from overseas troops trickle in the days and even weeks after an election, too late to be counted. Of 21,299 absentee ballots requested by Michigan overseas/military voters for the historic November 2008 election, nearly 6,000 were never returned or returned too late to be counted. "Whenever I talk to civics groups or high school classes, I tell them that their vote matters, their vote makes a difference ... and that's absolutely true--unless you are an American serving overseas," Johnson said. "These are men and women, away from their families and often risking their lives to protect our freedom. Michigan has to step up and make sure their right to vote--a cornerstone of democracy--is protected here at home." Published: Fri, Feb 12, 2010

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