The Development of Military and Overseas Voting Rights in the United States

Abstract

Chapter 2 explored and attempted toanswer some of the central issues surrounding military and overseas voters, specifically overseas civilians, including questions about their numbers, location, and demographic makeup. Unfortunately, the available data limit our ability to answer these questions, as they are principally composed of survey data based on convenience samples. However, recent research does provide valuable insight into military and overseas voters, who are, in many cases, distinctly different from domestic voters residing within the continental United States. The development of military and overseas voting rights is also unique, and a rather recent phenomenon, with military and overseas voters taking quite divergent paths toward enfranchisement.