SLIDE 1
UOCAVA
What we know What works
- Dr. Donald S. Inbody
Texas State University
The Main Problem
Returning a marked ballot to the local election official
UOCAVA What we know What works Dr. Donald S. Inbody Texas State - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
UOCAVA What we know What works Dr. Donald S. Inbody Texas State - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
UOCAVA What we know What works Dr. Donald S. Inbody Texas State University The Main Problem Returning a marked ballot to the local election official The Main Problem Returning a marked ballot to the local election official and Very low
SLIDE 2
SLIDE 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)
SLIDE 4
What can we solve statutorily?
The overseas and military absentee balloting process
SLIDE 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
SLIDE 6
The Main Problem
UOCAVA ballot return rate: 2008 2012 Overall 69 % 74 % Civilian overseas 70 % ~ 75 % Military 67 % ~ 72 %
SLIDE 7
Still…
- 1/3 of mailed UOCAVA ballots are returned
undeliverable
SLIDE 8
Still…
- 1/3 of mailed UOCAVA ballots are returned
undeliverable
- 22 % - missing or late ballot
SLIDE 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
SLIDE 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
SLIDE 11
Voting Process Overvie iew
- 84% Electronic
- 9% Paper
Create FPCA
- 36%
Electronic
- 59% Post
Submit FPCA
- 52%
Electronic
- 47% Post
Receive Blank Ballot
- 15%
Electronic
- 81% Post
Return Voted Ballot
Graphic used by permission of Overseas Vote Foundation
SLIDE 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)
SLIDE 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)
SLIDE 14
Data Collection
- Differentiate between overseas and domestic military
- Post-election survey validation study
SLIDE 15
UOCAVA
- Dr. Donald S. Inbody
Texas State University
SLIDE 16
Contact Information
- Dr. Donald S. Inbody
Texas State University 601 University Drive San Marcos, TX 78610 inbody@txstate.edu (512) 923-0704