SALT LAKE CITY – Utah recognized for extraordinary efforts to protect the voting rights of service members and their families

Utah was recognized today as an “All-Star state” by the Military Voter Protection (MVP) Project for taking significant efforts to promote and protect the voting rights of America’s military service members and their families.

Lt. Gov. Greg Bell stated, “We’re honored by this recognition.  There is no right or responsibility more important than voting.  No matter where in the world a service member is, he or she can be assured that Utah will help protect that right.  Utah has ensured our Heroes can say, ‘I Voted.’”

In analyzing these states, the MVP Project looked at a number of factors, including:

• The state’s efforts to work with and reach out to local military installations and National Guard units on a proactive basis to provide on-base voter assistance
• Its use of electronic and web-based services to send election materials
• Its willingness to create specialized communications to military voters either through public service announcements or web-based announcements
• The state’s legislative efforts to eliminate barriers to military voter participation
•  Its track record of making sure that absentee military ballots are sent out no later than 45-days before the election and, when they are not, a high degree of accountability to resolve any violations.

Utah was recognized as an All-Star state by the Military Voter Protection Project, in addition to: Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia.

“Utah is led by an excellent group of state and local election officials who have made military voters a priority in elections.   We recognize and appreciate the tremendous efforts of Utah Gov. Gary R. Herbert and Lt. Gov. Greg Bell,” said Eric Eversole, founder and executive director of the Military Voter Protection Project.

For more information about the Military Voter Protection Project’s Heroes Vote Initiative or to view details about the MVP Project All-Star states, please visit the Military Voter Protection Project’s website.