Some Americans overseas are being denied access to a Pentagon-run Web site intended to make it easier for them to vote by absentee ballot due to security measures to thwart hackers, the Pentagon said yesterday.
The Federal Voting Assistance Programme`s Web site offers US military personnel and American civilians living abroad information about voting by absentee ballot in the 2 November election, with links to state election sites.
But security steps put in place to halt hackers have instead blocked an unknown number of Americans overseas from accessing the site, www.fvap.gov, said Lt Col Ellen Krenke, a Pentagon spokesperson.
"The Federal Voting Assistance program is currently working on a solution to this problem, which we hope to implement as soon as possible to prevent any disenfranchisement of any overseas voter whether military or civilian," Krenke said.
About a half million US troops are deployed overseas and roughly 6 million American civilians live abroad. The Federal Voting Assistance Programme, part of the Pentagon, is the government agency responsible for helping them vote.
The Pentagon could not confirm figures from overseas voter advocates that people in at least two-dozen countries have been blocked from the site.
Both Democrats and Republicans are concerned because deadlines are approaching for absentee ballots for voters overseas.
"We have to have a solution," said Joan Hills, co-chair of Republicans Abroad.
"The Pentagon decision, made in secret and without consultation or notification of groups promoting voter registration, represents gross bureaucratic negligence and indifference to the rights of American voters," said Diana Kerry, sister of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry who heads Americans Overseas for Kerry.
Krenke said the security measures were not intended to harm any party or candidate. "We do not care who you vote for, just as long as you vote," she said.
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