As I’ve said in the past, Carl Levin(D-MI) – “the Detestable Carl Levin” – as Mark Levin (no relation) calls him, is a poster child for Congressional term limits. He’s 78 and currently serving his 6th term in the Senate. Too bad he’s not up for reelection this fall because, although he’s Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, he’s MIA when it comes to assuring that the U.S. military are able to vote in the upcoming election. “Detestable” indeed.
With all due respect sir, what’s up with this: Some States Not Sending Absentee Ballots to Military ?! [Source: Breitbart – Big Government]
As Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee I would have thought you would be aggressively working to make sure our active duty troops are guaranteed their constitutional right to vote. Particularly since Michigan is one of the offending states:
Jurisdictions in Vermont, Michigan, Mississippi and Wisconsin have failed to mail absentee ballots to military members by the Sept. 22, 2012, deadline established by the MOVE Act. That was 45 days before the November 6 elections, which was what was required.
It seems your honorable colleagues in the House of Representatives are living up to their oaths with regard to this travesty:
Rep. Buck McKeon, R-Calif., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee; Rep. Daniel E. Lungren, R-Calif., chairman of the House Administration Committee; and Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, sent a letter to the Defense and Justice departments reading:
“We are concerned that, absent prompt and effective remedial action, some men and women in uniform will be deprived of the 45-day window to vote guaranteed by the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act. While implementation and enforcement of the MOVE Act appear on course as an improvement over the poor performance we saw in the 2010 elections, we are concerned about the currently reported shortcomings. If any element of local, state or federal government does not abide by the MOVE Act, the result should not ever be the disenfranchisement of any member of the armed services.”
While we’re certainly all thrilled that the Commander-in-Chief and his lovely wife are able to cast their absentee ballots…
At a rally at Ohio Wesleyan University today, (the First Lady) told the crowd: “I’m pretty fired up and ready to go myself especially because this morning – I cast my vote early for Barack Obama. Today. I voted for my husband.”
“Right now my absentee ballot is on its way to Illinois, my home state. … So, forgive me if I’m a little excited today. For me it was Election Day.”
… it’s absolutely intolerable that the men and women defending our liberty should be denied the right to vote. Considering the sacrifices they make for our country, our troops should be first in line – yes – before Michelle Obama!
The United States military are not a bunch of pawns for you and the dishonorable Obama administration to play political games with. As an outraged Michigan citizen, I demand to know what action you’re taking to rectify this injustice.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this very important matter,
Designs on the Truth
Related:
Romney campaign files federal suit to ensure all military ballots count in Wisconsin ~ At least one of the presidential candidates is concerned about this issue:
Romney spokesman Ryan Williams told The Daily Caller that the campaign is monitoring the military ballot process across the country, not just in swing states. The campaign has also sent letters regarding potential UOCAVA violations to officials in Mississippi, Michigan, New Jersey, Alabama, and Vermont.
“Governor Romney believes that our fighting men and women overseas deserve the full voting period that is required under federal law,” Williams said. “It is unacceptable for government bureaucrats to drop the ball and deny them what is required by law.”
