Press Room

Governor Signs Bipartisan Bill to Help Military Personnel Cast their Ballots

Thursday, April 12 2012

Senator Suzanne Williams (right) and Representative Marsha Looper (left) look on as Governor Hickenlooper sign Senate Bill 62 into law

DENVER─ Today, Governor John Hickenlooper signed Senate Bill 62 sponsored by Senator Suzanne Williams (D-Aurora).  Senate Bill 62 will increase voting access for military personnel by allowing military voters to provide verbal or written information to an officer to request a mail in ballot, require county clerks to accept an unsigned federal postcard voter application, and authorizing a valid veteran identification card to be used as voter identification.

Senator Williams offered the following comment on the signing of Senate Bill 62 today:

 “These military men and women are serving in foreign countries fighting to protect our rights and we should be ensuring that they are able to exercise their right to vote.  It is imperative that voting is accessible to our citizens serving in the armed forces, and I’m pleased to see this legislation signed into law.”

Citizens serving in the military in foreign countries have faced difficulties voting due to serving in remote locations, election laws that require signatures, or limited access to internet.  Senate Bill 23 changes some of these statutes to help people in the military cast their vote, regardless of where they are stationed.  This legislation was sponsored in the House by Representative Marsha Looper (R-Calhan).