New laws streamline overseas voting process

Intro:	There's a lot of ways you can cast a ballot in the upcoming presidential election. And now, there's a new way for some serving overseas.
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In this age of technology it seems like everything can be done on a computer or over email.

New state and federal laws have now made it possible for military personnel overseas to cast their votes using secure email. Stacie Temple is with the Missouri Secretary of State's office.

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Description: "Anything that makes it easier and more convenient for our military overseas voters to vote is certainly a positive development."

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Description: "Anything that makes it easier and more convenient for our military overseas voters to vote is certainly a positive development."

It used to take up to 3 weeks for people in the military to get their absentee ballots and another 3 weeks to send them back, but now...

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It can be done in the click of a mouse. Randy Watson is a state voting assistance officer with the Missouri National Guard.

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Description: "An opportunity to go out there and vote a much easier way now that it was just over a year ago."

Military personnel still have the option of using the old fashioned way to cast their votes - the mail. And some military absentee ballots will be sent out starting this Saturday.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Matt Evans. Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro:	For the first time ever, military personnel serving overseas can cast their vote for the next president of the United States using email.
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Wrap: When Randy Watson served overseas it could take weeks for his absentee ballot to reach the United States.

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Description: "Well back then you had to mail it in. You had to mail it back to your election authority. With mail from overseas, you're talking approximately three weeks to get it back. So you have to make sure your timing is right."

Now, new laws allow military personnel serving overseas to cast their votes using email or fax. It's a law that went into effect in 2010, but this is the first time people can vote for the president using email. Watson is now a state voting assistance officer with the Missouri National Guard and he thinks the new methods will increase military voter turnout.

Reporting from Jefferson City, I'm Matt Evans. Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro:	Military personnel serving overseas can now cast their votes using email.
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Wrap: The law went into effect in 2010, but the upcoming general election will be the first time people in the military can vote for the next president electronically. Stacie Temple with the Missouri Secretary of State's office says the process that now could take a few seconds, used to take weeks.

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Description: "Well the changes are really intended to allow them to fully participate in the election process. Previously, before these changes went into effect it could take a really long time to actually get ballots to military voters and overseas voters and for them to send them back."

Military personnel also have the option of casting their ballots through fax or through the mail. Temple says some military absentee ballots will start being mailed out this Saturday.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Matt Evans. Newsradio 1120 KMOX.