Highlights Reveal Ongoing Challenges in Overseas Voting
WASHINGTON D.C. – February 5, 2015 – Overseas Vote Foundation and U.S. Vote Foundation have released their 2014 Post-Election Survey results in a new online format. This interactive presentation allows users to compare Overseas Vote Foundation Post–Election Survey data across states.
[See the 2014 Post Election Survey Results]
Highlights of the 2014 Survey findings include a 5.4% increase in the number of respondents reporting that they were unable to complete all the steps in the overseas voting process as compared to survey results in 2010 and 2012. Further, 25% of respondents reported not receiving their ballot or receiving their ballot too late to vote.
Over 46% of respondents reported not being aware of the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB), and over 85% of respondents noted they did not use state voter look-up tools. These tools allow voters to ensure they are registered to vote or that their ballot is received.
“The survey results from this year demonstrate that significant work remains to be done to improve the voting process from overseas, and indeed maintain any progress that was demonstrated in prior years,” stated Dr. Judy Murray, Research Consultant. “This voting bloc has not been in the spotlight in recent election cycles as compared to the 2000 election cycle, and it is easy to become complacent. However, election officials, parties and key stakeholder groups should never lose site of the potential impact this group could have in influencing election outcomes in the U.S.”
Consistent with the 2012 results, this year’s survey revealed the greatest ongoing confusion among voters continues to stem from the MOVE Act’s elimination of a clause that defined the validity of the official Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) voter registration/ballot request form for overseas and military voters as two General Election cycles. Voters can no longer rely on their FPCA forms to keep them registered beyond one calendar year in some states, and one single election in others. Indeed, the validity of the FPCA varies significantly across election jurisdictions thereby compounding voter confusion.
Now in their sixth consecutive general election cycle, the Overseas Vote Foundation and U.S. Vote Foundation surveys continue to be at the forefront of military and overseas voter research. These surveys provide important feedback regarding the effectiveness of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) implementation and the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act (MOVE), the overseas voting community it represents, and its election administration.
For Further Information, Please Contact:
Susan Dzieduszycka-Suinat
susan@usvotefoundation.org
Telephone: +1 202 470 2480
About U.S. Vote Foundation (US Vote)
U.S. Vote Foundation (US Vote) provides domestic U.S. voters with public access to innovative voter registration tools and services. It is a trademarked initiative of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Overseas Vote Foundation. More information is available on the U.S. Vote Foundation website, Twitter (@us_vote), Facebook (US Vote).
About Overseas Vote Foundation (OVF)
Overseas Vote Foundation helps overseas and military U.S. voters participate in federal elections by providing public access to innovative voter registration tools and services. It is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. More information is available on the OVF website (www.overseasvotefoundation.org), Twitter (@overseasvote), Facebook (Overseas Vote Foundation), and YouTube (www.youtube.com/overseasvote).