Secretary of State Beth Chapman and the Military and Overseas Voting Task Force have cleared another hurdle in making electronic voting for overseas voters a reality. The Senate Constitution, Campaign Finance, Ethics and Elections Committees unanimously approved House Bill 30 today.

The bill allows military and overseas voters four additional ways to request their ballots, including commercial carriers like FedEx and UPS, secure fax, e-mail and secure electronic transmission. Currently, voters may only use the U.S. Mail.

“We are delighted by the quick action on the part of the Alabama Senate and the bill’s primary sponsor, Rep. Jimmy Martin, on this most important legislation,” Chapman said. “We look forward to this bill soon becoming law, so that we can protect the rights of those who defend us.”

“This bill is one of the most inclusive bills I have seen with regard to diversity and including people,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Rodger Smitherman (D-Birmingham), who voted in favor of the bill today. He also said he expects the legislation to become law this session. Other senators voting in favor of the legislation were Senators Mark Keahey (D-Grove Hill), Arthur Orr (R-Decatur), Trip Pittman (R-Daphne) and committee chair Quinton Ross (D-Montgomery).