OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The state House says members of the military stationed overseas should be able to return their election ballots in electronic form.
Democratic Rep. Chris Hurst of Enumclaw sponsored the bill, which passed the House unanimously Friday. It addresses the difficulty service members face in sending their ballots home when stationed in hard-to-reach locations.
Hurst says the chance to cast a ballot should be easier for the people fighting to protect the American system. The bill was requested by Secretary of State Sam Reed, who is the state’s top elections officer.
Currently, Washington voters living abroad can receive ballots electronically but must mail them back in paper form. The bill would allow for service voters, as well as civilians living overseas, to return their ballots via fax or e-mail.
