Secretary Coffman, Lawmakers and Veterans Show Support for Military Absentee Voting Bill

Coffman’s experience in Iraq led him to seek legislation to ensure every man and woman in our military has the opportunity to vote

Denver, February 6, 2007 – Secretary of State Mike Coffman, State Representative Joe Rice (D-Littleton), Senator Steve Ward (R-Littleton) and veterans from many of the military and veteran organizations in the state gathered today at the State Capitol to discuss House Bill 1149, the Military and Overseas Absentee Voting Bill. The bill is currently in the House State, Veterans & Military Affairs committee.

While serving in Iraq in 2005 with the U.S. Marine Corps, Secretary Coffman was unable to vote in the November election. Due to that experience, the Secretary pledged to pursue legislation to make it easier for every eligible member of the armed forces in Colorado to vote while deployed overseas in a combat zone.

“Of all of the freedoms bestowed upon Americans, the most sacred is the right to vote,” Sec. Coffman said. “We should make sure that those who are willing to make tremendous sacrifices to defend our freedoms are never denied that right.”

“As Colorado’s Secretary of State, I want to ensure that every member of our armed forces who calls Colorado home has the opportunity to cast a ballot.”

HB 1149 will create a narrow exception for military personnel who are serving overseas in a combat zone, and receive hostile fire or imminent danger pay, and as a result may not have access to a fax machine or computer. The bill would allow them to apply for an absentee ballot without personally signing the application. HB 1149 will grant a commissioned officer, or voting assistance officer, the authority to submit the unsigned application on behalf of the individual serving in the combat zone.

Representative Rice, who served in Iraq with the U.S. Army Reserve, was also unable to vote in the 2005 election: “Like Secretary Coffman and many other military personnel, I know how it feels to serve overseas, but be unable to vote in an election back home,” Rep. Rice said. “That experience led me to introduce this legislation and I’m committed to helping every member of our military cast their vote if they choose to.”

“I wish to thank Secretary Coffman, Senator Ward and representatives from the various military organizations here today for their support of this important legislation.”

Senator Ward, who served in Afghanistan with the U.S. Marine Corps, has signed on to sponsor the bill in the Senate.

“As public officials we have an obligation to do whatever we can to make the voting process as convenient as possible for the brave men and woman protecting our freedoms overseas,” Sen. Ward said. “House Bill 1149 will do just that, and I’m proud to carry this legislation in the Senate.”

Organizations supporting HB 1149 include the Colorado Air and Army National Guard, the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, the State Board of Veterans Affairs, the United Veterans Committee, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the National Women Marines Association.