Vet Voice Foundation Condemns Attempts to Suppress Military and Overseas Voters in Pennsylvania

Washington, D.C. — Vet Voice Foundation strongly condemns the recent mass challenges filed in Pennsylvania against the mail ballot applications of overseas voters, including members of the U.S. military and their families. These actions are not only disruptive to the voting process but are part of a broader, deliberate attempt to silence the voices of American citizens who are proudly serving or residing abroad.

Congress passed the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) with bipartisan support – and President Reagan signed it into law in 1986. The law ensured military members, their families, and Americans living overseas have their voices heard in federal elections. Under this act, citizens who are stationed or reside overseas are guaranteed the right to vote by absentee ballot, a right that has been part of our democracy for nearly four decades.

“In Pennsylvania, voters choose their leaders – leaders don’t get to choose their voters,” said Janessa Goldbeck, CEO of Vet Voice Foundation. “These mass challenges to the mail ballot applications of Americans living overseas represent a brazen attempt to manipulate our election system and silence the voices of military service members and other overseas citizens. Such tactics, whether rooted in ignorance of longstanding law or an intentional effort to confuse and disenfranchise, are unacceptable and must be dismissed.”

Attempts to disenfranchise these voters undermine trust in elections and the very foundation of our democracy. Election officials in Pennsylvania, from both parties, work diligently to verify voter eligibility and ensure accurate voter rolls. Vet Voice Foundation stands by these professionals and their dedication to fair and lawful elections. Vet Voice Foundation calls on all Pennsylvanians to reject these voter suppression tactics. 

Our democracy is strongest when every voice is heard, and every vote is counted. Intimidating voters through baseless challenges goes against the principles we hold dear as a nation. Pennsylvania has a proud tradition of free and fair elections, and Vet Voice Foundation stands ready to defend the rights of all eligible Pennsylvanians to vote without obstruction.

“Our organization is committed to defending every eligible voter’s right to participate in our democracy,” said Goldbeck. “We will not allow these partisan maneuvers to suppress the votes of military families and overseas citizens who have every right to be heard.”