'No' vote?
We want soldiers' votes to count. They are risking their lives and bodies for our freedoms and democracy.
They should be able to vote in a timely manner during elections, just as civilians do.
Secretary State Sam Reed was excited when the state Senate approved his measure 47-1 to move primaries to August and allow for more time to send soldiers from Washington the materials they need to vote.
It allows them to receive ballots by surface mail or electronically, and return the ballot by e-mail. It allows their vote to count regardless of how long the ballot takes to be mailed back.
It also means the primary will move to the first week in August and the candidate filing period will start three weeks earlier. This is to meet federal regulations about ballots being sent 45 days prior to the election.
"We are delighted with the strong bipartisan vote in the Senate on this most important piece of legislation to help ensure that our military service members' voice is heard in our elections. We have such great admiration for our military personnel and have long sought to provide special assistance and high priority to handling their ballots, registration services and voter information. We have about 60,000 military and overseas voters who call Washington their home, and historically they have a strong participation rate," Reed stated.
We agree and are happy to report the bill moved to the House of Representatives, as House Bill 1080, for approval and eventually the signature of Gov. Chris Gregoire.
But there was the one vote opposing the change. It was from our senator, Janéa Holmquist-Newbry, R-Moses Lake.
She must have had a good reason to oppose the bill and we would like to hear it. Her decision seems to oppose the general support Grant County and the 13th District have for our soldiers. Both those from here, serving overseas such as Afghanistan, or the ones visiting from Fairchild Air Force Base.
Senator, we would be happy to give you space to help us understand your decision.
- Editorial board