Federal Voting Assistance Program
DoD AWARDS GRANTS FOR STATE & LOCAL MILITARY/OVERSEAS VOTING SYSTEMS
Two new recipients of Electronic Absentee Systems for Elections (EASE) grants program announced
June 15, 2012 — The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) is pleased to announce the next two recipients of the Electronic Absentee Systems for Elections (EASE) grants program. The funding total of $393,000.00 is being distributed to these awardees to enable military and overseas voters to utilize electronic systems such as online registration, absentee ballot requests, and blank ballot delivery; however, no funding was provided for the electronic transmission of a voted ballot except in instances of mock elections. A total of 11,747 military and overseas voters will be served by these jurisdictions receiving grants. FVAP looks forward to announcing the next awardees in the coming weeks.
Arkansas received $259,000.00. Grant funds will be used to develop programs that will enable military and overseas voters of Arkansas to request, receive, and mark their ballots online.
San Bernardino, CA received $134,000.00. Military and overseas voters from San Bernardino County will be able utilize online services to request, receive, and track their ballots online.
These programs will be developed and implemented in time for the 2012 General Election.
In 2008, the number one failure for military and overseas voters was in ballot transmission (FVAP’s Eighteenth Report to the Congress). Local election officials receiving voted ballots reported they did not count numerous uniformed services and overseas citizen ballots because they were received after the deadline. Greater online access and automation of voter registration and absentee ballot systems could make the UOCAVA voting process easier, more intuitive, and more seamless for UOCAVA voters while maintaining the integrity of the process.
Last May, DoD announced the availability of federal funding to support research to advance the electronic options for military and overseas citizens when voting absentee. US State, territory, and local governments were eligible to apply for the grants. With these grants, the total amount distributed to date is $24,242,413.56. FVAP has identified additional funding beyond the previously identified $20,600,000.
The evaluation of applications under the Broad Agency Announcement H98210-BAA-11-0001 for the FVAP Electronic EASE grants program have been completed and award recommendations have been transmitted to the Defense Human Resources Activity (DHRA) Grants Officer. Discussions with the recommended grant recipients are ongoing.
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If you’d like more information on the Federal Voting Assistance Program or need help with the absentee voting process please go to the www.FVAP.gov web portal or contact the FVAP at 703-588-1584 (toll free 1-800-438-VOTE). Email the program at VOTE@FVAP.GOV and don’t forget to “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DoDFVAP and follow @FVAP on Twitter for election updates throughout 2012.
Last updated: 01.15.2013
