The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act: Background and Issues

Abstract

Members of the military and U.S. citizens who live abroad are eligible to register and vote absentee in federal elections under the provisions of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) of 1986. The law was enacted to improve absentee registration and voting for this group of voters and to consolidate existing laws. Since 1942, several federal laws have been enacted to assist these voters: the Soldier Voting Act of 1942 (amended in 1944), the Federal Voting Assistance Act of 1955, the Overseas Citizens Voting Rights Act of 1975 (both the 1955 and 1975 laws were amended in 1978 to improve procedures), and the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act of 1986. The law is administered by the Secretary of Defense, who delegates that responsibility to the Director of the Federal Voting Assistance Program at the Department of Defense (DOD).

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 08, 2007
Accession Number
ADA474609

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  • Kevin J. Coleman

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  • Library of Congress

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  • Cyber
  • Human Systems

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  • Active Duty
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  • National Governments
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  • Overseas
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  • United States
  • Voting Rights

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