Vet Voice Foundation Applauds Federal Judge’s Decision to Protect Military and Overseas Voting Rights in Pennsylvania

Washington, DC – [OCT 29, 2024] – Vet Voice Foundation celebrates the decision by U.S. District Judge Christopher C. Conner to dismiss a lawsuit from six Pennsylvania congressmen that could have jeopardized the ability of military and overseas voters to have their ballots counted in the upcoming election.

Judge Conner, a George W. Bush appointee, determined that the plaintiffs’ late attempt to introduce new identification requirements on military and overseas voters was untimely, coming just one week before the Nov. 5 general election. The commonwealth had already sent over 25,000 ballots to military and overseas voters by late September. In his ruling, Judge Conner made it clear that “there was no good excuse” for the delay, noting that the plaintiffs “cannot rely on phantom fears of foreign malfeasance to excuse their lack of diligence.”

“We are grateful to Judge Conner for safeguarding the rights of our service members, veterans, and overseas voters,” said Janessa Goldbeck, CEO of Vet Voice Foundation. “The dismissal of this case protects Pennsylvania’s long-standing practices under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA), ensuring that military members and overseas citizens can vote without unnecessary, last-minute barriers. Attempts to curtail these rights under the pretense of ‘election security’ are unacceptable. Frankly, the argument made by plaintiffs was flat out offensive to those serving and who have served, to protect the very right to vote – and have that vote count.”

The lawsuit alleged that Pennsylvania was unlawfully exempting military and overseas absentee voters from submitting proof of identification, claiming this exemption violated the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). However, Judge Conner’s ruling reiterated that private plaintiffs cannot sue under HAVA and emphasized that UOCAVA voters have been exempt from these requirements in Pennsylvania since 2012.

Vet Voice Foundation, which has consistently advocated for military and veteran voting rights, condemns the timing and motives behind this lawsuit. “As Judge Conner stated, such baseless claims should not be permitted to disenfranchise thousands of military and overseas voters,” added Goldbeck. “We will continue to stand with those who serve by opposing any further attempts to undermine their fundamental right to vote.”

In the 2020 presidential election, Pennsylvania counted nearly 27,000 absentee ballots from UOCAVA voters, demonstrating the importance of protecting these ballots. Vet Voice Foundation remains committed to ensuring that those who serve our nation can fully participate in the democratic process, no matter where they are stationed or residing.