Maryland’s waiver request to exempt out of military voting protections has become a political issue in the campaign for Governor.  Washington Examiner has more.  It is amazing to see Maryland apply for a waiver because they didn’t have the will to take up the matter in the legislature.  The Maryland legislature has a well deserved reputation of a “60 Minutes” legislature.  Every time a problem appears on 60 Minutes, no matter how petty or large the problem, Maryland rushes to solve it through government intervention.  Yet it couldn’t get around to protecting military voters.  Priorities, I suppose.

Other entities that are now on the political hot seat regarding military voting waivers:

1. Secretaries of State in Maryland, New Hampshire, New York, Delaware, Hawaii, Washington, Colorado, Alaska, Wisconsin, Rhode Island,  and Massachusetts.  All of these waivers could be withdrawn.  If citizens put enough pressure on these states, it might happen.  Colorado is one of the most disgraceful requests.  The primary will be over in Colorado over August 10.  That leaves plenty of time to print and mail ballots to military voters.  But Colorado says they are not going to do it and requested a waiver.  Here is how to contact the Colorado Secretary of State and voice displeasure.

Secretary of State Bernie Beuscher
Suite 200 
303-894-2200 ext. 6307
303-869-4861 (FAX) 

2. The Department of Justice Voting Section.  The Voting Section thankfully has a limited role in the waiver process.  They can offer an opinion which the Pentagon is free to ignore.  I have heard that after a scolding that Senator Cornyn gave DOD officials, the Pentagon is inclined to entirely ignore any advice from DOJ to grant a waiver – which makes any effort by DOJ to encourage a waiver seem now like one of those dastardly “wastes of resources.”   Nevertheless, citizens can always petition their government, the Voting Section, and voice their demand that the DOJ recommend that all waivers be denied. 

Principal Deputy Chief, Voting Section
Civil Rights Division
Room 7254 – NWB
Department of Justice
1800 G St., N.W.
Washington, DC  20006
(202) 514-6342 

3. Finally, the Department of Defense (FVAP) has the authority to deny waivers.  Citizens wishing to tell them to deny these waivers can petition their government at:

Federal Voting Assistance Program
Department of Defense
1777 North Kent Street
Suite #14003
Arlington, VA 22209
1-800-438-VOTE (8683)
vote@fvap.gov