By Jeremy Carroll
C & G Staff Writer

STERLING HEIGHTS — The county clerks from Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties and members of the state House of Representatives announced plans to revamp the state’s absentee balloting rules for military members and others overseas during elections.

The new legislation, expected to be introduced in the House in the coming weeks, would allow local clerks to send ballots electronically to those overseas in an effort to cut down on the time it takes for the absentee process to be completed.

“Every day our soldiers are risking their lives overseas,” said Ruth Johnson, Oakland County Clerk. “As they prepare to make the ultimate sacrifice for us, the least we can do is honor their right to have their vote counted.”

The announcement on July 2 at Freedom Hill in Sterling Heights came after the Pew Center on the States singled out Michigan as one of 16 states that fails to give soldiers adequate time to have their ballots processed. According to the report, it can take up 57 days for the process to be completed.

In contrast, Johnson said, soldiers from New Mexico could have their ballots returned in as little as eight days.

“It’s not difficult to fix our broken system,” she said.

Macomb County Clerk Carmella Sabaugh said the new system would be secure to ensure votes from overseas are counted. She said in the 2008 presidential election, there were 772 ballots sent from the county to military personnel overseas and 229 of them were not returned in time.

“That’s a 29 percent failure to return rate,” she said. “With regular absentee ballots, we usually get about 3 percent failing to return.”

State Rep. Vince Gregory, D-Southfield, plans to introduce the legislation and said he has been told by House leadership that the issue will be a priority when they return to session July 14.

“This is a non-partisan issue,” he said, surrounded by Republicans and Democrats. “We will introduce this legislation in the upcoming session and I expect to have broad support from all parties.”

Under the law, most of the process would be done electronically — either through e-mail or fax. The voter would be able to send the request for absentee ballot electronically, and the clerk would be able to send the ballot electronically. The voter would then print out the ballot, fill it out and send it back through the mail.

The ballot would then be taken and duplicated on an actual ballot by two election inspectors, Director of Elections for Oakland County Joe Rozell said. The bill would include every Michigan resident overseas, regardless of if they are in the military.

Sgt. Laura Rios with the Air Force said she could recall times when she was overseas and received her ballot on the day of an election. Ballots are not counted if returned after the day of the election.

“Most of the soldiers don’t vote,” she said. “I’m very pleased with this (proposed legislation). I want my vote to count.”

You can reach Staff Writer Jeremy Carroll at jcarroll@candgnews.com or at (586) 279-1110.