This resolution expresses Congress's firm belief that all properly cast absentee ballots from overseas servicemembers and citizens must be counted in accordance with the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA).
Deborah Ross
Representative
NC-2
This resolution expresses the sense of Congress that the votes of overseas servicemembers and citizens, cast under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA), must be counted and honored. It emphasizes the federal duty of states and localities to uphold UOCAVA requirements and prevent the disenfranchisement of military voters. Furthermore, the bill encourages states to prioritize the timely processing of these absentee ballots and calls on the Attorney General to monitor compliance and act on any violations.
Congress Reaffirms: Military and Overseas Votes Must Be Counted Under Federal Law
This resolution is Congress’s way of sending a clear, very firm memo to every state and local election office: You must count the votes of our military personnel and citizens living abroad if they were submitted correctly under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA). The bill’s main purpose is to explicitly state that these ballots must be honored in every election—federal, state, and local—and that administrative hiccups or slow processing are not valid excuses to toss them out (SEC. 1).
The Fine Print: What UOCAVA Means for Your Vote
For anyone who’s ever had to deal with the military mail system or tried to vote while living overseas, you know the logistics are a nightmare. UOCAVA was created to fix that, but this resolution reminds everyone that the law is not optional. Congress is explicitly reaffirming its commitment to enforcing UOCAVA, essentially telling states to prioritize the quick processing and acceptance of these absentee ballots (SEC. 2). Think of it this way: If you're a service member deployed in a remote location, your right to vote shouldn't be dependent on whether the local county clerk back home is having a good day or understands the federal rules. This resolution is designed to remove that uncertainty.
Accountability Check: The Attorney General Steps In
This isn't just a strongly worded letter; it comes with an enforcement mechanism. The resolution calls upon the U.S. Attorney General (AG) to actively monitor state compliance with UOCAVA. If the AG spots any violations—say, a state habitually rejecting military ballots for minor technicalities—they are called upon to act quickly to fix those problems (SEC. 3). This is where the rubber meets the road: it puts a federal watchdog on election administrators, ensuring they follow the rules designed to protect these specific voters. For military families, this oversight provides a clear line of recourse if their votes are wrongfully discarded.
Who Feels the Change?
For the overseas servicemember or the expat trying to participate in democracy, this resolution is a win for voting access and confidence. It reinforces that their sacrifice (or distance) will not cost them their vote. However, the groups feeling the immediate pressure are the state and local election administrators. They are now under explicit notice that their compliance with UOCAVA will be federally scrutinized. While the resolution provides a clear mandate, the practical challenge for these administrators is ensuring their local processes—which often vary widely—meet the strict federal standard and speed required to avoid the AG’s attention. This could mean investing in better training or technology, increasing their procedural burden, but ultimately ensuring the integrity of the process for those serving far from home.