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Improving UOCAVA Ballot Return Rate and Process

Learn about the challenges in returning marked UOCAVA ballots and the low overseas voter turnout rate. Discover recommended solutions to minimize barriers and improve the UOCAVA absentee balloting process.

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Improving UOCAVA Ballot Return Rate and Process

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  1. UOCAVA What we know What works Dr. Donald S. Inbody Texas State University

  2. The Main Problem Returning a marked ballot to the local election official

  3. The Main Problem Returning a marked ballot to the local election official and… Very low overseas voter turnout rate Civilian Overseas - ~ 12.1 % (4.9 million overseas) Military Overseas - ~ 19 % (571,000 overseas)

  4. What can we solve statutorily? The overseas and military absentee balloting process

  5. What can we solve statutorily? The overseas and military absentee balloting process We can’t fix the turnout rate, but… We can minimize the hurdles and barriers

  6. The Main Problem UOCAVA ballot return rate: 2008 2012 Overall 69 % 74 % Civilian overseas 70 % ~ 75 % Military 67 % ~ 72 %

  7. Still… • 1/3 of mailed UOCAVA ballots are returned undeliverable

  8. Still… • 1/3 of mailed UOCAVA ballots are returned undeliverable • 22 % - missing or late ballot

  9. Still… • 1/3 of mailed UOCAVA ballots are returned undeliverable • 22 % - missing or late ballot • 1/3 of rejected UOCAVA ballots were not counted because they were late

  10. Still… • 1/3 of mailed UOCAVA ballots are returned undeliverable • 22 % - missing or late ballot • 1/3 of rejected UOCAVA ballots were not counted because they were late • FWAB confusion – 1/3 of FWABs are rejected

  11. Voting Process Overview Graphic used by permission of Overseas Vote Foundation

  12. What we know • Return of UOCAVA ballots is up this year • likely due to experience and education • Electronic blank ballot instructions are confusing • “Ph.D. in origami” • Wide variation in state election laws are confusing • Deadline for received ballot (E + 0, E+ 5, E+10) • FWAB acceptance (FPCA)

  13. Recommendations • Electronic ballot delivery and mail tracking • Extended ballot receipt time • Electronic ballot return • FWAB as dual-purpose document • Extended ballot pre-processing time • Flexibility for local election officials • Proxy administration (in limited cases) • Overseas and military voter education (FVAP & States)

  14. Data Collection • Differentiate between overseas and domestic military • Post-election survey validation study

  15. UOCAVA Dr. Donald S. Inbody Texas State University

  16. Contact Information Dr. Donald S. Inbody Texas State University 601 University Drive San Marcos, TX 78610 inbody@txstate.edu (512) 923-0704

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