Military Voters General Election 2012

Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Forum

October 10, 2012

The Auditors Office

Elections. Recording. Licensing. Animal Control.

The Auditors Office UOCAVA = Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act
Pierce County Auditors Office is responsible for 13,062 UOCAVA voters.

CONTEXT

Context: Washington State

Washington state continues to be one of the top 5 states transmitting UOCAVA ballots: California Florida Texas New York Washington 89,582 75,268 69,526 54,495 52,892

Context: JBLM Population*

Military stationed at JBLM Dependents Total military/dependents stationed at JBLM Military/dependents registered in Pierce County Military/dependents residing in Pierce County Military/dependents outside Pierce County 43,375 56,188 99,563 9,700 5,822 3,878

Registered military/dependents living on base

* Data provided by JBLM, April 2012

2,389

JBLM Out-of-State voters

Most JBLM claim residence in another state. 34 states*require ballots be in the elections office by Election Day to be valid. 17 states require they be postmarked by Election Day. 4 states have conditional requirements.
* States or territories

COORDINATION

No Wrong Door
Federal Voting Assistance Program. FVAP...getting stronger! Register to vote in home of record. Get an absentee ballot. Coordination / training Voting Assistance Officers.

ASSISTANCE

Exemptions from deadlines

Request and vote a ballot without a formal registration. Accept federal write in ballots for any election. Ballot can be received anytime prior to certification (15 or 21 days).

Local convenience
24-7 Ballot Drop Boxes locations:
DuPont Ross Plaza, 1500 Wilmington Dr. Lakewood Park and Ride, 10417 South Tacoma Way Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main St SW Parkland Library, 13718 Pacific Ave S Roy Y Park and Ride, SR 507 and Pacific Ave S

Local convenience
Voting Center at Clover Park Technical College Open Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday In person voting Replacement ballots Questions

Exemptions from USPS

Postage not required. All military voters receive a postage paid return envelope. A USPS postmark is not required on military ballot envelopes. Military voters can now return their ballots electronically.

eBallot Option
Recent state legislation will allow us to receive ballots by email. Access their ballot online. Use the website to mark their ballot. Print, fax a hardcopy or send a PDF. Return the ballot via the mail or email.

eBallot Option

Voluntary opt-in. Emailed 45 days prior to election. We can get a ballot to a voter anywhere in the world if they have access to the internet. This provides 65 days for the ballot to get to us.

RESULTS

Washington State Rocks

Washington state counted 99.1% of UOCAVA ballots returned. California Florida Texas New York Washington 95.5% 95.9% 97.0% 73.9% 99.1%

Military Voters a lot like us

Age influences turnout significantly. Over 62% of the JBLM voters are under the age of 35. Military or civilian, young men have the lowest turnout among voters.

Projections
UOCAVA Voter Turnout
16,000
80.00% 14,000

90% 80% 70%

11,200

14,000

78.85%

12,000

60% 50%

10,000
9,229 9,559 9,665 41.99% 7,277

10,251

8,000

40% 30%

6,000

4,000
18.50%

22.85% 4,058

20% 10% 0%

2,000
1,768

2,342

0 2008 2009 Registered Voters 2010 Voter Turnout 2011 Percent Turnout 2012

Questions?
Julie Anderson
Pierce County Auditor 253-798-3188 Julie.Anderson@co.pierce.wa.us