Secretaries of State visit 3rd Sustainment Command and Joint Base Balad for overseas voting update

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Michael Behlin | Staff Sgt. Stephanie Zolnak, technical inspector for postal services on Joint Base Balad, explains the process absentee ballots go through after they are delivered to JBB post offices to Delbert Hosemann, the Secretary of State for Mississippi. Hosemann was on JBB to promote voting participation by service members and to learn about the installations voting assistance program and the service members overall voting experience.  

BALAD, IRAQ

10.01.2008

Story by Maj. Paul Hayes 

3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command

By Paul Hayes
3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - Secretaries of state and a chief election officials delegation from Pennsylvania, California, Indiana, Mississippi, and Florida visited Joint Base Balad Sept. 30, 2008 to meet with Brig. Gen. Michael Lally, 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) commanding general, and receive updates on the voting process for service members serving in Iraq.

The delegation visited Joint Base Balad to promote voting participation by service members, learn about the installation's voting assistance program and service members' overseas voting experience. The delegation also received a briefing on overseas voting operations, visited an installation post office and the Joint Military Mail Terminal.

With responsibility for mail distribution in Iraq, the 3d ESC individually tracks registrations and ballots from remote post offices in Iraq back to New York's John F. Kennedy Airport where they are received for distribution.

At each stop, the delegation received an in-depth look at the voting processes and procedures provided to service members deployed to Iraq.

"Service members are already providing a valuable service for our country in defending our democracy," said Pedro Cortes, Pennsylvania secretary of state and president of the National Association of Secretaries of State. "That democracy cannot continue to stand if people do not participate in the electoral process. It's our most fundamental right of citizenship and also our responsibility."

Cortes also stated that he and his colleagues were very impressed with the way and the 3d ESC and other installation voting assistance officers were taking proactive steps in making sure all service members are aware of specific voting deadlines and requirements of their respective states.

"We are trying to inform the troops, no matter if they are in the States, or overseas, in remote sites or right here on Joint Base Balad, they still have the right to vote and we are providing the opportunity and are dedicated to giving them the opportunity," said Maj James Hess, plans and operations officer in charge for the 3rd ESC's personnel section.

The overall message that Cortes and the delegation continuously stressed to service members was the importance of voting and having their voices heard.

"I'm so delighted to be here in Iraq and I want to wish our troops a great election time," said Cortes. "It's very important that you vote so please make sure that you do."

• Date Taken: 10.01.2008
• Date Posted: 10.01.2008 03:02
• Story ID: 24356
• Location: BALAD, IQ