NASHVILLE, TN – Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Chris Devaney commended State Senator Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro) for his work on legislation to help Tennessee troops deployed overseas cast absentee ballots. The bill passed the full Senate this evening.

“This measure is a victory for Tennessee’s troops who, in the past, have not been given ample time to return absentee ballots,” said Devaney. “There is no question that the men and women of our military should be given every opportunity to participate in the election process, regardless of where they are stationed throughout the world. I’d like to commend Senator Ketron for all of his efforts to move this important bill through the Senate and I look forward to seeing similar legislation sponsored by Republican Rep. Gerald McCormick continue to advance in the State House.”

A report released by The Pew Center on the States in January 2009 identified Tennessee as one of 16 states that is failing to allow military personnel deployed overseas enough time to cast their absentee ballots. Full Senate passage of
SB 2681 comes a week after subcommittee passage of
HB
2799. In addition to helping our troops, the initiatives put Tennessee in compliance with the federal government’s Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act that was enacted last October.