FOR YOUR SECURITY AWARENESS:
​DO STATES ACCEPT PDF BALLOTS VIA EMAIL?
The Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act of 2010 was established to help military members serving overseas and citizens living abroad (UOCAVA voters) vote more effectively in U.S. elections. Check out which states can submit marked ballots via email and the current requirements in place.
The short answer is yes.

The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) of 1986 was amended in 2010 by the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act to help military members serving overseas and citizens living abroad vote more effectively in U.S. elections. 

The MOVE Act was passed in response to data showing that upwards of one-fifth of military and overseas voters were unable to return their ballots in time for elections while in areas with slow mail service, or unavailable mail service, such as while serving on a submarine.

The key components of the MOVE Act for overseas and military voters include:
  • Requirement for all states to transmit election materials and ballots, by mail or electronically, to voters of general, special, primary, and runoff elections for Federal office;
  • Electronic transmission of all informational and instructional materials that accompany balloting materials;
  • Distribution of ballots at least 45 days before election day.

Moreover, states are required to:
  • Protect the security and integrity of absentee ballots, and
  • Establish procedures to ensure the privacy of the identity and other personal data of an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter.

Twenty-Five (25) states can submit marked ballots via email pdf or through an online portal.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/1415
https://www.businessinsider.com/22-states-that-allow-you-to-vote-online-2016-9
https://www.commoncause.org/page/email-and-internet-voting-the-overlooked-threat-to-election-security/
Contact the ShiftState Team.​