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§20982 Study, Report, and Recommendations on Best Practices for Facilitating Military and Overseas Voting

Title 52 › Subtitle II — Voting Assistance and Election Administration › CHAPTER 209 — ELECTION ADMINISTRATION IMPROVEMENT › SUBCHAPTER II — COMMISSION › Part C — Studies and Other Activities To Promote Effective Administration of Federal Elections › § 20982

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Commission, working with the Secretary of Defense, must study the best ways to help absent uniformed services voters (military members away on duty) and overseas voters (U.S. citizens living abroad) vote. The study must look at where those voters count as residents; how they register and get absentee ballots and keep their ballots secret; whether they can apply early; when ballots should be mailed and how much time they need to get back; getting ballots to them quickly; security, privacy, and fraud protections; using one form for all Federal elections or one form for both registration and absentee ballots; using fax or electronic transmission; and other related voting issues. The Commission must send a report with recommendations to the President and Congress by the date that is 18 months after October 29, 2002.

Title 52, §20982

Voting and Elections, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Study

(1)In general

The Commission, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall conduct a study on the best practices for facilitating voting by absent uniformed services voters (as defined in section 20310(1) of this title) and overseas voters (as defined in section 20310(5) of this title).

(2)Issues considered

In conducting the study under paragraph (1) the Commission shall consider the following issues:

(A)The rights of residence of uniformed services voters absent due to military orders.

(B)The rights of absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters to register to vote and cast absentee ballots, including the right of such voters to cast a secret ballot.

(C)The rights of absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters to submit absentee ballot applications early during an election year.

(D)The appropriate preelection deadline for mailing absentee ballots to absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters.

(E)The appropriate minimum period between the mailing of absentee ballots to absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters and the deadline for receipt of such ballots.

(F)The timely transmission of balloting materials to absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters.

(G)Security and privacy concerns in the transmission, receipt, and processing of ballots from absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters, including the need to protect against fraud.

(H)The use of a single application by absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters for absentee ballots for all Federal elections occurring during a year.

(I)The use of a single application for voter registration and absentee ballots by absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters.

(J)The use of facsimile machines and electronic means of transmission of absentee ballot applications and absentee ballots to absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters.

(K)Other issues related to the rights of absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters to participate in elections.

(b)Report and recommendations

Not later than the date that is 18 months after October 29, 2002, the Commission shall submit to the President and Congress a report on the study conducted under subsection (a)(1) together with recommendations identifying the best practices used with respect to the issues considered under subsection (a)(2).

Editorial Notes

Codification Section was formerly classified to section 15382 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

§20982 Study, Report, and Recommendations on Best Practices for Facilitating Military and Overseas Voting

Summary

Title 52, §20982

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Citations & Metadata