An Army officer who commanded Kentucky troops overseas told a panel of state lawmakers in Frankfort Tuesday (October 8) it’s difficult for soldiers to vote because they move frequently and sometimes don’t receive mail in a timely manner.
Sergeant Major Thomas Chumley testified before the Task Force on Military and Overseas Voting Assistance. Chumley was with soldiers from Kentucky who were deployed in the fall of 2012 in the Horn of Africa.
“The mail was miserable. I mean, that first six weeks we were there, we did not receive mail. And so, that more or less, threw our guys out. Voting assistance officers, they jumped up and said…maybe we can’t do the state, but we’re gonna make sure we get the federal.” –Thomas Chumley
Chumley says the delays make it tough for military personnel to receive their ballots and return them on time. Kentucky law does not yet permit soldiers to vote electronically.