VT Sued for Not Sending Military Ballots

The Justice Department announced today that it has filed a lawsuit against the state of Vermont and its chief election official to help ensure that military service members, their family members and U.S. citizens living overseas have the opportunity to participate fully in the Nov. 6, 2012 federal general election.

The lawsuit, brought under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA), was filed in federal district court in Vermont, in coordination with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont. The department brought this enforcement action after the state failed to send more than 20 percent of the absentee ballots requested by Vermont’s military and overseas voters for the Nov. 6, 2012 federal general election by the 45th day prior to the election, as required by UOCAVA.

The United States seeks an order requiring the state of Vermont to ensure that military and overseas voters will have sufficient opportunity to receive, cast and return their ballots in time to be counted by extending the deadline until Nov. 16, 2012, for the receipt of ballots from affected UOCAVA voters. The lawsuit also seeks relief requiring Vermont to notify affected UOCAVA voters, to provide reports to the United States about Vermont’s compliance with UOCAVA, and to take all necessary actions to ensure UOCAVA compliance in future federal elections.









NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote!

Michael H. Drucker
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