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Thursday, July 24, 2008

Bill Introduced to Require the VA to Help Veterans Register to Vote

After many years, the issue of allowing voter registration at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities is slowly gaining support. The VA announced that it would assist veterans with voter registration and permit voter registration drives by groups that were vetted by the agency's attorneys, and then reversed this policy within two weeks. Fortunately since then, Members of Congress and some voting rights advocates have been objecting to the VA's policy.

Now, after Veterans Affairs Secretary James B. Peake continues to deny the request to designate VA facilities as voter registration agencies, legislation has been introduced that would require the VA to make voter registration services available at its facilities in states that request it, under the National Voter Registration Act. That includes providing registration forms, answering questions on registration issues and assisting with submitting voter registration forms, including absentee ballots. The bill also would allow nonpartisan groups and election officials to provide voter information and registration information to veterans and require an annual report to Congress.

S.3308 has been introduced by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), along with Senators Hillary Clinton (D-NY), John Kerry (D-MA), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Barack Obama (D-IL), Harry Reid (D-NV), Charles Schumer (D-NY), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) all co-sponsoring the measure.

Senator Kerry (D-MA) said, "It shouldn't have taken a legislative solution to fix a bureaucratic problem, but that's what it's come down to in the name of common sense and patriotism."

Alternet reports that, "two dozen top state election officials - from both parties - have signed a letter urging the VA allow voter registration drives." In addition, on Monday July 21, the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), Common Cause, Demos, and the League of Women Voters urged Peake to approve future state requests to allow voter registration at VA agencies and offices. Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI), chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, has also been very vocal. Akaka wrote to Peake contending the argument that such activity on VA property would violate the Hatch Act; "the Hatch Act does not prohibit outside groups, partisan or otherwise, from registering voters at a VA facility if federal employees do not participate.