Committee on House Administration Chairwoman Rep. Candice Miller (R-Mich.) expressed optimism about an increase in voting among among military personnel who were deployed oversees in 2012 during a hearing on Wednesday.
The number of deployed troops who voted increased from 2008 to 2012, and military personnel were registered to vote at a higher rate than the population as a whole, according to a Federal Voting Assistance Program report.
“I am cautiously optimistic about the recent Department of Defense findings that demonstrate a modest increase in the percentage of military personnel voting,” Miller said. “It appears that the combined efforts of the Department of Defense and state election officials, both supported by federal legislation, are advancing our most worthy responsibility of helping our troops participate in the very democratic process they risk life and limb to protect.
The MOVE Act, which was adopted in 2009, requires states to send absentee ballots to troops oversees at least 45 days before an election and provides grants for the Department of Defense to enhance voting assistance at military installations.
“We will continue to carefully monitor the implementation of the MOVE Act and, working with state and federal officials, explore new ways and technologies that facilitate and expedite voting for our brave soldiers serving overseas,” Miller said.