Posted By:
Catherine Moy
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AP Photo: A service member fills out an absentee ballot in Bagram, Afghanistan. Troops, aid workers and military contractors overseas sent in ballots in record numbers this past election.

Even as Barack Obama prepares to take over the White House, Sen. John McCain is fighting to ensure the votes of deployed troops are counted.

The Air Force Times has the story here.

RICHMOND, Va. — A hearing is set for Monday on a lawsuit that seeks to compel Virginia election officials to count late absentee ballots from U.S. troops serving overseas.

Republican John McCain’s presidential campaign is suing the State Board of Elections, claiming absentee ballots weren’t mailed on time to military members in foreign countries. A 1986 federal law requires ballots to be mailed to those troops at least 45 days before the election, which this year would have been Sept. 20.

The complaint asks the U.S. District Court in Richmond to order the board to count any overseas absentee ballots sent by Nov. 4 and received as late as Friday.

It is a sad day in America when a lawsuit has to pave the way for our troops’ votes to count. Where is Obama on this? Why hasn’t he put his resources toward ensuring this vote? House Speaker Nancy Pelosi?

Move America Foward sounded the alarm on this problem earlier this year. We sent Hero Voter packets to our troops overseas to help them get their vote in on time. But Congress and the president must change the way our troops vote so they can do so with ease. They fight and die for our country. It is stunning and unAmerican when they cannot vote.

If you know of a soldier, Marine, sailor, airmen or Coastie who could not vote because they were deployed, please send the story and details to me at Catmoy@moveamericaforward.org.

I am also working as a Fairfield City Councilwoman to move legislation. I need your help so we can help our troops. Please send me your stories with as many details as possible.

Again, my email is Catmoy@moveamericaforward.org.