Lansing, Michigan, October 21, 2009 -- Oakland County Clerk Ruth Johnson and Macomb County Clerk Carmella Sabaugh, who have pushed to improve voting for Michigan's military personnel deployed overseas, congratulated the state House Ethics and Elections Committee for voting today in favor of a bill that will streamline that process.

"We've cleared the first hurdle," said Johnson. "We owe it to our troops to make sure their vote gets home to Michigan in time to be counted. I'd like to thank Committee Chairperson Kathy Angerer for her assistance and all the committee members for their support."

"It is not reasonable that the government accepts tax payments from citizens overseas electronically, but won't send their ballots to them electronically," said Sabaugh.

In a national report this year, Michigan was listed as one of 16 "no-time-to-vote" states for failing to give overseas troops adequate time to return their ballots, largely because of overseas mailing delays. House Bill 5279, which could be considered by the full House of Representatives as early as next week, would allow local clerks to fax or email ballots to troops overseas. The measure would save expensive postage and provide clear safeguards to protect the integrity of the process.

Of 21,299 absentee ballots requested by Michigan military voters for the November 2008 election, only 15,401 were returned.

 "Whenever I talk to civics groups or high school classes, I tell them that their vote matters, their vote makes a difference and that's absolutely true - unless you are an American serving overseas," Johnson said.  "These are men and women, away from their families and often risking their lives to protect our freedom. Michigan has to step up and make sure their right to vote - one of the cornerstones of democracy - is protected here at home."

The bill is sponsored by state Rep. Vince Gregory, (D-Southfield). Nearly a dozen veterans' organizations across the state support the legislation.