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State primaries thrown by military voting law

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The Associated Press

Published: November 2, 2009

ST. PAUL, Minn. - A law meant to protect the voting rights of deployed troops and other Americans overseas is forcing at least a dozen states to consider holding primaries earlier or to negotiate another plan federal officials will accept.

Ballots must be sent to certain voters at least 45 days before an election under a requirement included in a major defense bill signed last week by President Barack Obama. It leaves states with 2010 primaries in August and September in a pickle, because the deadline for distributing November ballots will pass by the time many certify the results of the primary. Florida's primary is Aug. 24.

"You can't print a ballot until you know who won," said Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, who is urging his state's lawmakers to shift the Sept. 14 primary by at least a month. "And you can't print ballots in five seconds."

Some states have said they may seek a waiver to avoid moving their elections. Though faxing and e-mailing ballots to overseas voters might be a temporary solution, one congressman who supports the deadline said the goal should be to keep standards uniform.

"What I think election officials across the country certainly need to realize is, we need to make sure that those who are fighting in defense of our freedom have the ability to exercise the greatest freedom Americans enjoy, and that is the right to vote," said Rep. Mike Coffman, R-Colo.

Vermont's top election official is urging that her state's primary be moved earlier. Other states with September primaries are Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Wisconsin. States with mid-August elections are worried about a time squeeze, too.

Colorado, New York, Washington and Wisconsin plan to request waivers.

The law affects 1.4 million military members and their 400,000 voting-age dependents, said Bob Carey, director of the Federal Voting Assistance Program.

Also affected are embassy workers, contractors and others living abroad.

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