VOTING INFORMATION NEWS

April 1997

A roundup of voting news from the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) For voters, potential voters and those who assist vot 3 ers.

Vol. 7 No. 4

3

UOCAVA Voters Impact Election p.1

ET & Participation Rates 1

“To Do” List for VAOs 2

Updated ‘97 Election Calendar 3

Ombudsman Numbers 4

News Release Recap 4

In This Issue

In November ‘96 Election

Electronic Transmission Contributed 

to Higher Participation Rate

An analysis of statistics on voting participation in the November 5, 1996 general election suggests a direct correlation between 

those states that allow for electronic transmission (faxing) of election materials on a 

regular basis and higher participation rates by 

the voting age population in those states.

While 49% of the voting age general 

public participated in the November 5 election, several states, including the vast majority of those that allow for faxing of election 

ing) of election materials, all contributed to 

increased voting participation, including 

participation by UOCAVA citizens: active 

duty members of the Uniformed Services, 

their family members, and all overseas civilian citizens-- over 6 million eligible citizens. 

Nationwide Impact

In the December ‘96 issue of Voting 

Information News (VIN), we reported how 

absentee ballots had determined the outcome of various races Nationwide. Results 

from additional research by the FVAP into 

the outcome of other races reveals that absentee ballots played a critical role in many 

more contests across the Nation. Among these were:

Forty-nine percent (49%) of the voting 

age general public participated in the November 5, 1996 general election. Official statistics on participation by citizens voting under 

the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) will be available in 

late Spring. Once again, absentee voters 

played a significant role in determining the 

outcome of various contests at the Federal, 

state and local level. 

Many state and local government officials reported an increase in absentee voting, 

in part due to adoption by the states and territories of procedures to make voting easier for 

citizens. For example, procedures such as 

voting-by-mail, early voting, late counting of 

ballots, and the electronic transmission (faxYour vote made the difference!

UOCAVA Citizens Had Significant Impact on November 5 Election

Delaware’s 38th State Representative District: Democrat Shirley A. 

Price defeated Republican contender 

William O. Murray 5,226 votes to 5,143, 

a difference of only 83 votes. A total of 

537 absentee ballots were cast in this 

election, 19 of which were ballots cast by 

UOCAVA citizens in the Armed Forces 

and overseas.

Lieutenant Governor’s race in 

Arkansas: In this close race, the 24,059 

absentee ballots cast were far larger than 

the vote differential between the two 

contenders: Democrat Charlie Chaffin 

(428,269 votes) and Republican Win 

Rockefeller (438,634 

votes). A mere 10,365 

ballots made the difference in this statewide 

race, less than half the 

absentee ballot total.

Kansas’ 8th District State Board of 

Education race: 

When all ballots were 

counted, Mary Douglass Brown (R) defeated Michael D. Gragert (D) by 236 

votes (37,348 to 37,112). However, absentee ballots comprised 10% of the total 

ballots cast.

The above are a few examples 

where absentee ballots made a difference 

in the November 5 general election. The 

following is an example where a military 

person’s single vote made a difference, 

one of the most dramatic cases where a 

single UOCAVA ballot determined the 

outcome of an election. This time it involved all the City Council seats in Loretto, Kentucky.

(see Kentucky, pg. 2)

materials on a regular basis, experienced participation rates 

higher than the national average. 

Statistics available from State 

Election Offices and the Congressional Research Service reveal the following participation rates in states that allow for electronic 

transmission on a regular basis: 

National Average 49.08%

Alaska 56.85

Hawaii 40.46

Kansas 56.06

Louisiana 56.98

Montana 62.06

New Jersey 50.98

North Dakota 55.97

Washington 54.77

In all cases, except Hawaii, participation 

was higher than the national (see ET, pg. 4) 


Federal Voting Assistance Program

Write to:

Federal Voting Assistance Program

Rm. 1B457, The Pentagon

Washington, D.C. 20301-1155

Phone Voting Information 

(703) 695-0663 Center

(800) 438-8683 (703) 693-6500

DSN 225-0663 DSN 223-6500

Fax Internet

(703) 693-5507 vote@fvap.gov

DSN 223-5507 http://www.fvap.gov

Note: Copying or using VIN articles in other publications, etc. is encouraged.

Director: Phyllis J. Taylor

Deputy Director: John G. Uschold

VIN Editor: Ricardo Rovira

Program Analyst: Pauline Brunelli

Program Analyst: Vanessa Wiggins

Program Analyst: Betty Collins

Info Systems & Services: Terrence Williams



VIN - April 1997 - Page 2

Voting Information News provides information for citizens and Voting Assistance Officers 

and is published monthly by the staff of the Federal Voting Assistance Program.





Voting Information Center: 

J. Scott Wiedmann

Computer Specialist: Chris Dorr

Database Administrator: Marilyn Reck

Executive Assistant: Sherri Morris

Administrative Assistant: Cheri Kelly

College Intern: Rebecca Martin

Voting Assistance Officers 

“To Do” This Month

[ ] Make sure you have sufficient quantities of materials for 

participation in ‘97 elections. Encourage participation in elections 

this year. See motivational article 

(beginning on pg. 1) for details.

[ ] Encourage submissions to 

the 1997 Voting Slogan Contest 

from all citizens. The winning slogan will be featured in all FVAP 

motivational materials for the next 

two years.

[ ] This newsletter and news releases are now available by e-mail 

or fax. Contact Marilyn Reck of 

the FVAP for your choice of method of distribution of this information.

[ ] Feedback from Voting Assistance Officers and citizens is always welcome. Send your 

comments and suggestions to the 

FVAP at the numbers below. (Results from the official ‘96 Post 

Election Survey will be available 

later this Spring).

YOUR VOTE IS THE ONE THAT MATTERS

WANTED: A Few Good Entries!

Does the idea of motivating millions of citizens to exercise one of their most fundamental democratic rights inspire you? If so, the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) encourages you to participate in the 1997 Voting Slogan Contest. The winning slogan will be featured in FVAP materials 

including motivational voting posters and the 1998-99 Voting Assistance Guide. 

There is no limit to the number of entries a participant may submit. Slogans must be typed or legibly hand-written on a regular 8 1/2 x 11 inch sheet of paper. Send entries to the FVAP, Attn: Voting 

Slogan Contest, The Pentagon, Room 1B457, Washington, DC 20301-1155. You may also fax your 

entry to (703) 693-5507 or e-mail it to vote@fvap.gov. 

(Kentucky, from pg. 1) Due to a 1992 Amendment to the Kentucky Constitution that changed 

the lengths of terms for City Council members 

in the state, the four positions in the City of Loretto (Marion County) were up for re-election in 

1996. When no candidate from Loretto filed by 

the May deadline, Mr. Eddie Lee, County 

Clerk, checked with the election officials and 

confirmed the Council seats were indeed up for 

re-election. Since there were 

no candidate names to be 

placed on the November ballot, Clerk Lee decided to utilize the write-in portion of the 

ballot and placed four blanks on the ballot representing the four seats on the Council. 

As Airman Travis Greenwell, of Scott Air 

Force Base in Illinois, executed his absentee 

ballot for his legal residence in Loretto, he came 

to the section for City Council and there were 

no candidate names listed. Airman Greenwell 

used his absentee ballot to write-in his choices 

for City Council using the four blanks provided 

and voted for his mother, his uncle, a friend, and 

another local resident of the town. 

When the ballots were counted it turned out 

that Airman Greenwell was the only person who 

voted for the seats, thereby selecting the entire 

City Council! 

Clerk Lee told the VIN he believes that this 

was caused by people “talking themselves out of 

it,” meaning that they believed that the Council 

was not up for re-election until 1998 

so they did not write-in their choices. 

Whatever the reasons of others for not 

voting, Airman Greenwell’s choice of 

candidates determined who would run 

the city for the next term. Only one of his choices 

took the oath of office. The remaining seats were 

filled through administrative guidelines for filling 

such vacancies. 

Airman Greenwell, who has since then left 

the Service, is very proud of his single-handed accomplishment. “I think stories like this give people in the Service a reason to vote,” he stated.

City Council Elected by One UOCAVA Voter!
Please share this copy of VIN with others.

VIN - April 1997 - Page 3

State Department: Office of American Citizens Services

Voting Action Officer: Ms. Ruth Boettcher tel: (202) 647-9100 (FTS) 8-647-9100, fax: (202) 647-6201

Service Voting Action Officers

Dept. of the Army: Mr. Tom Feazell tel:(703) 325-4530 (DSN) 221-4530, fax: (703) 325-4532, fax DSN: 221-4532

Dept. of the Navy: Ms. Thelma Jones tel:(703) 614-3248, (DSN) 224-3248, fax: (703) 693-6471

Dept. of the Air Force: Mr. John Lowrance tel:(210) 652-4369 (DSN) 487-4369, fax: (210) 652-5982, fax DSN: 487-5982

Marine Corps GySgt Elijah Kinton tel:(703) 696-2026 (DSN) 426-2026, fax: (703) 696-2068, fax DSN: 426-2068 ELMS [GMHP03:HQIHQMC]; Internet:kinton_jre@mqg-smtp3.usmc.mil; E-mail kinton@mhp@hqmc

U.S. Coast Guard: LCDR Reggie Sealey tel:(202) 267-2239, fax: (202) 267-4823

U p d a

t e d 3 / 1 0 / 9 7

Avoid delays! Submit your FPCA early

1997 Statewide & Mayoral Election Calendar

Election Jurisdiction

Primary

(if applicable)

General 

Election

Mayoral Los Angeles, California APR 8 JUN 3

Mayoral Omaha, Nebraska APR 1 MAY 13

Mayoral Austin, TX May 3

Mayoral El Paso, TX May 3

Mayoral Fort Worth, TX May 3

Mayoral San Antonio, Texas --- MAY 3

Mayoral Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania MAY 20 NOV 4

Statewide

Governor, 

State Senate, 

Gen. Assembly

New Jersey

JUN 3 NOV 4

Statewide

Governor,

Lt. Governor

Attorney General

House of Delgs.

Virginia JUN 10* NOV 4

Mayoral Buffalo, New York SEPT 2* NOV 4

Mayoral Detroit, Michigan SEPT 9 NOV 4

Mayoral Minneapolis, Minnesota SEPT 9 NOV 4

Mayoral New York City, New York SEPT 9 NOV 4

Mayoral St. Paul, Minnesota SEPT 9 NOV 4

Mayoral Toledo, Ohio SEPT 9 NOV 4

Mayoral Seattle, Washington SEPT 16 NOV 4

Mayoral Boston, Massachusetts SEPT 23 NOV 4

Mayoral Charlotte, North Carolina SEPT 23 NOV 4

* = tentative dates

The above calendar provides a list of election dates for statewide offices in New Jersey and Virginia and for Mayoral races in the 50 

largest cities. Updates to the calendar featured in the February issue of Voting Information News are shown in italics. 

Please note that Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) requests for registration and a ballot are usually valid for one calendar year. 

Even if you submitted an FPCA for elections in 1996, you should submit a new FPCA for elections this year. Consult the 1996-97 Voting 

Assistance Guide and your Voting Assistance Officer for details.
VIN - April 1997 - Page 4

Ombudsman Service

If you cannot resolve your voting concern locally, it’s good to know the 

FVAP is just a phone call away!

Liechtenstein 1-155-4514

Luxembourg 0-800-2499

Malaysia 800-2170

Mexico 95-800-010-1438

Monaco 0-59-00-156

Netherlands 06-022-2499

Neth. Antilles

001-800-753-0767

New Zealand 

0-800-44-0799

Norway 800-12093 

Panama 0083-28027-4197

Philippines1-800-116-0009

Portugal 0501-8-13-035

San Marino 1-678-72-444

Singapore800-1300-210

South Korea 0078-14-800-0203

Spain 900-93-1108

Sweden 020-793-503

Switzerland 155-4514

Taiwan 0080-10-3153

Thailand 001-800-1-1-923-6685

Trinidad&Tobago 1-800-934-7340

United Kingdom 0-800-895-7403

Uruguay 000-411-923-7985

Vatican City 1678-72-4444

In the U.S. 1-800-438-8683

Antigua 1-800-326-0220

Australia 0014-800-128509

Bahamas 180-995-09-20

Bahrain 800-621

Barbados 800-534-2104

Belgium 078-111-455

Bermuda 800-623-0077

Brazil 000-811-926-5585

Canada 800-995-0920

Chile 00-020-3071

Colombia 980-12-0896

Costa Rica 0-800-011-0125

Denmark800-10-169

Dominican Rep. 800-751-7131

Finland 9800-156-284

France 0-800-900-156

Germany 013-081-9277

Greece 008-001-22-586

Hong Kong 800-6984

Hungary 00-800-11-158

Ireland 1-800-557-083

Israel 177-102-4012

Italy 1-678-72-444

Indonesia 00-800-1-923-3685

Japan 0031-11-2429

(ET, from pg. 1) average, sometimes by as much as 12%, as 

in the case of Montana.

While electronic transmission was not solely responsible for these above-average voting participation rates, utilization of this alternative method of transmission, through 

secure Department of Defense fax lines, facilitated the process. Acceptance of electronic transmission by a state is 

usually one of several statutory or administrative procedures available to citizens designed to facilitate voting in 

that state. It is important to remember that a percentage increase in participation could translate into thousands more 

citizens successfully exercising their franchise in that particular state. As a result, all measures that facilitate voting 

while maintaining the integrity of the process, including 

electronic transmission, enhance the democratic process itself.

The process consists of three parts: faxing of the registration/absentee ballot request to the local election official; 

faxing of the blank ballot to the citizen; and return of the 

voted ballot by fax to the local election official. 

In contrast to the above statistics, the majority of states 

that had lower-than-average voting participation rates have 

no statutory or administrative provisions in place allowing 

for faxing of any of the three aspects of the electronic transmission process. While these states do not allow for any 

electronic transmission, some of these states may have other 

measures in place that makes voting easier and contributed 

to the higher participation rate.

“All the states and territories are to be commended for 

their progress in adopting measures that facilitate voting. 

These officials are dedicated to enhancing democratization 

and the FVAP commends them for their efforts,” stated 

FVAP Director Phyllis Taylor.

The FVAP thanks all state and local government 

officials on behalf of all citizens that must vote absentee 

because they are away from their legal residence during an 

election. 

1997 News Release Recap Since the March issue of Voting Information News, the following 

news releases have been disseminated by the FVAP. If you have not 

received them or would like to add your name to the distribution list for 

future releases, please contact Marilyn Reck at the numbers provided.

Release 4: Texas Announces Special Election on March 15, 1997 to 

Replace Representative Tejeda

Release 5: San Antonio, TX to Hold Mayoral Election on Saturday, 

May 3, 1997

Release 6: New Mexico Announces Special Election on May 13 to 

Replace Representative Richardson

Release 7: Pittsburgh, PA to Hold Mayoral Primary Election on Tuesday, May 20, 1997

Release 8: Austin, El Paso and Ft. Worth, TX to Hold City Mayoral 

Elections on Saturday May 3, 1997

Release 9: New Jersey to Hold Statewide Governor, State Senate and 

State Assembly Primary June 3 and General Election November 4, 1997