Federal Website Had Military Ballot Deadline Error for Wisconsin Voters
MacIver News Service | September 25, 2012 Updated and corrected 7:15pm
We will have updates on this breaking news story throughout the day
[Madison, Wisc…] Despite assurances to the contrary, the Federal Voting Assistance Program website still is publishing an incorrect deadline for the return of military ballots in Wisconsin. As a result of this error, thousands of Wisconsin servicemen and women could be disenfranchised in this key swing state this November.The FVAP website incorrectly stated ballots must be returned by November 16. The actual deadline is 4 p.m. November 9. Any military ballots received in that intervening week would not have been counted by local and state election officials.
MacIver News Service contacted the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board about the error on Tuesday and requested comment.
“All Wisconsin absentee ballots are due by 4 p.m. the Friday after the election. The FVAP site was incorrect,” said Reid Magney, GAB spokesman in an emailed response to the inquiry.
As of 7:15pm central, parts of the website’s Wisconsin section still contained the incorrect November 16 date.
See top grey box in this screenshot from the website (click graphic to enlarge).
Ballots must be postmarked no later than Election Day, which in 2012 is Tuesday, November 6.
According to their website, The FVAP provides U.S. citizens worldwide a broad range of non-partisan information and assistance to facilitate their participation in the democratic process – regardless of where they work or live. The FVAP also administers the Federal responsibilities of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), which designates armed forces recruiting offices nationwide as voter registration agencies allowing eligible U.S. citizens to apply for voter registration, or apply to change voter registration data.
This is not the first issue with military voting to arise in Wisconsin.