Missouri military voters can e-mail ballots in November

Associated Press WriterJEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Some members of the military from Missouri can cast their ballots by e-mail in November, the secretary of state's office said Wednesday.

Secretary of State Matt Blunt said those in the military serving in certain combat areas overseas can complete their ballots, then scan and e-mail them to the Department of Defense. The department will then forward the ballots to the appropriate local election officials.

Blunt had asked federal officials about the option after some military personnel stationed in Iraq reported trouble getting their absentee ballots in for the August primary.

Members of the military also can fax their ballot, or mail it as other absentee voters do. But Blunt said some soldiers told him that they have easier access to e-mail than fax machines.

Absentee balloting is scheduled to begin Sept. 21. But a lawsuit by the Missouri Democratic Party challenging the state's law on provisional balloting and the counting of some votes cast in the primary has delayed certification of those election results and could push back printing of absentee ballots, Blunt's office said.

The Department of Defense did not immediately return a call seeking comment.