Pentagon Faces Criticism for Inadequate Voting Resources for Soldiers

With the 2024 election nearing, recent reports have exposed troubling gaps in the Pentagon’s efforts to ensure that active-duty military personnel can vote. Reps. Brian Mast (R-FL), Mike Waltz (R-FL), and Bill Huizenga (R-MI) addressed these concerns directly to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, urging him to prioritize voting resources for service members. The lawmakers criticized the Department of Defense (DoD) for allegedly failing to provide adequate resources and absentee ballots, a move they argue effectively disenfranchises troops stationed abroad and in remote locations.

The letter to Austin requests immediate action, pressing the Pentagon to “mobilize all the necessary resources over the next seven days to give every American citizen wearing our nation’s uniform the opportunity to vote if they so desire, pursuant to all federal and state regulations governing elections.” Lawmakers say they were alerted by military personnel who faced difficulty accessing absentee ballots and were disappointed by the limited assistance available.

According to the letter, some military members seeking write-in absentee ballots were reportedly told by the DoD that no ballots were available. Additionally, other service members noted a lack of instruction on the process of requesting and submitting absentee ballots. The lawmakers argue that the absence of resources and guidance has left soldiers stranded without a viable path to cast their votes.

“Our nation’s brave men and women in uniform brought to our attention that there has been inadequate education at the administrative level on how to register to vote, request an absentee ballot, and fill in a federal write-in absentee ballot if their state-issued ballot does not arrive in time,” the letter continued. This lack of guidance, combined with depleted ballot stockpiles, has effectively barred some troops from participating in the election.

Rep. Brian Mast expressed frustration with the Biden administration’s failure to secure voting rights for active military members, especially given its strong advocacy for voting rights on other fronts. Mast noted that the administration has pushed back on Republican-led election integrity efforts, which include voter ID requirements and limited mail-in voting. According to him, this makes the current voting situation for service members even more baffling. “They claim to care about democracy and the right to vote, yet they’ve failed to plan accordingly to facilitate the right to vote for every single one of our nation’s brave men and women in uniform,” he said. “This is absolutely unacceptable.”

Mast, who served in Afghanistan and sustained life-altering injuries, emphasized the importance of ensuring that service members have a say in choosing the next commander-in-chief. “Our nation’s elite warriors deserve to have every opportunity to vote for the next commander-in-chief, especially since that person will be making life-and-death decisions for our troops,” he added. Mast’s own experience as a combat veteran underscores his commitment to this cause, as he has personally sacrificed for Americans’ basic rights, including the right to vote.

The issue of limited voting access for military members is not new. The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP), which was established to help service members and overseas citizens vote, has historically faced challenges. Research from the FVAP reveals that one of the most significant barriers to voting for military personnel is the difficulty in obtaining absentee ballots and understanding the voting process from abroad. While the FVAP is responsible for coordinating with various government bodies to address these challenges, recent events indicate that these efforts may not be reaching service members effectively.

Polling data suggests a potential motive behind the DoD’s apparent failure to support military voting efforts, according to some conservative commentators. Military veterans and active-duty service members have historically leaned Republican, with recent polls indicating strong support for Donald Trump over Kamala Harris. A study by the Pew Research Center found that veterans favor Trump by a 61 percent to 37 percent margin, with many believing that Trump’s policies would better address their needs. Furthermore, a YouGov poll shows that active military members and veterans are more likely to view Trump as supportive of their needs, with 51 percent saying Trump “cares a lot” about veterans and current service members, compared to only 32 percent for Harris.

The lack of accessible voting resources has raised questions about the Pentagon’s role in ensuring a fair voting process for troops. Critics argue that if the DoD was truly committed to supporting military voting, resources would be allocated to fulfill absentee ballot requests and improve outreach efforts. With Election Day fast approaching, the concern is that soldiers stationed overseas or in remote locations may be left without a way to vote, a situation critics are calling a failure of duty by the DoD.

The lawmakers’ letter reflects a sense of urgency to prevent military disenfranchisement. The letter emphasizes that these soldiers, who risk their lives to uphold democratic freedoms, deserve the opportunity to participate in the democratic process. The absence of resources to facilitate this basic right, especially as election day looms, has sparked criticism of the administration’s commitment to supporting military voters.

In light of these reports, calls for reform have intensified, with some advocating for expanded funding for the FVAP and other voting assistance programs specifically targeted toward military personnel. In the meantime, lawmakers like Mast, Waltz, and Huizenga are pushing for immediate solutions, calling on the DoD to act swiftly to ensure military members can participate in this election.

For those who serve in uniform, the right to vote carries a distinct importance, as they are directly impacted by the policies enacted by elected leaders, including decisions on military engagement and defense policy. Without meaningful action from the Pentagon, critics argue, many of these individuals may miss out on the chance to exercise their right to vote. As Election Day approaches, the pressure is on for the DoD to address these concerns and ensure that soldiers are not sidelined in the democratic process they work to protect.

There are two words to describe this, disgusting and despicable. Sadly it appears the Pentagon, meaning the Biden-Harris administration views our men and women in uniform deployed are garbage and don’t deserve their right to vote. #election #elections https://t.co/LmE67TXY8C

— Allen West (@AllenWest) November 2, 2024