Askov American., 1943-09-09
Soldier Voting

OOluIcT NOuHS
In a recent editorial the ST. Paul
Pioneer Press stated that "a chance
to vote must be given to the men in
uniform wherever they are"
In 1915 there was a special one
day session or the Minnesota Legis-
lature to pass a law enabling the
troops serving on the Mexican bor-
der to cast their ballots in the then
approaching election.
In 1912 when we were to elect a
U. S. senator, 8 representatives in
congress, state officials and complete
membership of the legislature, the
writer advocated like procedure to
give the vote to all Minnesota men
and women in the armed services
That proposal was criticized and
scorned by those in the saddle of
state affairs. It was argued by de-
tenders of the administration that the
boys were out to fight and were not
concerned about who was elected to
public office, it was too much trou-
BILE, etc. Our boys, however, were
out to fight for democracy and near
ly all Of them were still in military
camps in the states.
Even the governor got so worked
up over the proposal to give the vote
to the soldiers through special legis-
lative session that he admonished the
writer to take payroll deductions to
buy war bonds and called the pro-
posal politics" This, in spite of the
fact that war bonds were being
bought directly without payroll de-
ductions and the governors bond
buying was nothing to brag about -
which was shown up at the time.
The point was that no chances of
any kind were to be taken. Sponsors
and campaign contributors had an in
vestment in the governor. The doors
Of the capitol were not to be thrown
open for discussion or any possible
action that might endanger his re-
election. MIR. StaSSen was reelected.
Very few soldiers voted the absentee
ballot at 80 cents each.
With that election goal hurdled it
is different. Soldier voting can now
be discussed, even advocated, by
those who did not want it in 1912.
The Pioneer Press in an editorial
entitled Let Them Vote" on August
27, remarks that America, which
modelled its present standard ballot
on that of Australia, can now look
tc that nation for an example in an
other election detail, the polling of
soldiers and sailors"
Going on the Pioneer Press states:
Last Saturday Australia held a gen.
eral election at which the government
of Prime Minister Curtin was re-
turned to power. With 100000 Aus
tralians under arms at home and
abroad, the problem was similar to
that which America will face next
year. 1t was simpler problem than
Americas in one respect. Australia
does not have the complication of
48 separate state election laws.
Australia changed its election laws
to make anyone who has served or is
serving overseas eligible to vote even
though not 81 years old. Special bal
lots were prepared and sent wherever
Australians are in the armed services,
which is to say, all over the globe
Lists of candidates were cabled to
each command headquarters. At these
headquarters, the lists were posted,
showing the district and political
party of each candidate. Special Off
GERS were sent to various command
headquarters to advise the command
ing officers and answer questions
Votes of Australians in the United
States and Canada were sent to Otta-
wa and cabled by the Australian high
commissioner to Australia"
Despite all the practical Difficult
ties," says the St. Paul daily, ''the
Importance of polling the service men
great. Failure to do so can lead to
a good deal of disgruntlement anC
trouble later on :. Not only in the
election of the next president anC
members of Congress but in other
matters the voice of men in uniform
whether at home or abroad, shoulc
be expressed"
The Pioneer Press concludes it:
editorial with the thought that no
only in specific cases, but "in al
other important issues, a chance tt
vote must be given to the men ir
uniform wherever they are"
We agree very much with wha
the st. Paul daily now says abou
affording the soldier the use of thu
ballot while the war is on. If any.
body is entitled to vote it is the sol.