Delivered by Chuck Stokes, Editorial Director
Election Day isn't far away and that's a reason to be concerned for many Michigan residents temporarily living abroad. Absentee ballots are getting lost or delayed in the mail. Michigan must speed up the voting process for military troops and others working overseas. The current system isn't working well and the Michigan Legislature needs to fix it. The best way to do that is through electronic mail - faxing or the internet. State Representative Vincent Gregory of Southfield has introduced House Bill #5279 that would do exactly that.
A national report from the Pew Center found some embarrassing news for Michigan. We are one of sixteen states that failed to make sure ballots mailed overseas were received on time. Last year, in Macomb County, nearly 30-percent of absentee voter ballots mailed to other countries weren't returned. A bi-partisan group supported by the county clerks of Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne, want Michigan law changed to allow electronic absentee ballots. Nearly 30 U.S. states already use this kind of secure process.
In America, we're fond of saying, "Every vote counts!" House Bill #5279 is an opportunity to make those words come true for all eligible Michigan voters. Our legislators in Lansing need to quickly pass this sensible measure.
Broadcast: September 11, 2009
