WASHINGTON - Committee on House Administration Ranking Member Rodney Davis (R.Ill), along with fellow Committee Members Representatives Mark Walker (R-NC) and Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), issued the following statement upon sending a letter to Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) Director David Beirne. The letter clarifies U.S. code that directly affects the voting of overseas military personnel and their families under the term of Absent Uniformed Services Voter, which is currently being interpreted to only include service members themselves, not their families. The letter, sent Friday morning, should correct this misinterpretation by referencing the full definition that includes eligible military families, along with the active duty military member serving abroad.

"Every vote counts, and protecting the ballot of the families of our brave servicemen and women is a no-brainer," said Reps. Davis, Walker, and Loudermilk. "This U.S. code currently being misinterpreted to only include the military member themselves is an easy fix, and we hope Director Beirne will immediately begin to include military families upon receipt of this clarification. Our military and their families are dedicated to serving this country every day, and we should also serve them by ensuring that their votes are counted and their voices are heard in our nation's elections."

Read the letter from CHA Republicans by clicking here.

Background:
The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) assists voters through partnerships with the Military Services, Department of State, Department of Justice and election officials from 50 States, U.S. territories and the District of Columbia. The Director of FVAP administers the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) on behalf of the Secretary of Defense. UOCAVA, as amended by the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act, requires States to transmit requested absentee ballots to UOCAVA voters no later than 45 days before a federal election.

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