U.S. Absentee Voting Site Proves Too Secure
Some Americans overseas are being denied access to a Pentagon-run website, intended to make it easier for them to vote by absentee ballot, because of security measures to thwart hackers, the Pentagon said Tuesday.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program’s website offers U.S. military personnel and American civilians living abroad information about voting by absentee ballot in the Nov. 2 election.
But security steps put in place to keep out hackers have instead blocked some Americans overseas from accessing the site, said Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke, a Pentagon spokeswoman.
“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 half a million U.S. troops are deployed overseas, and roughly 6 million American civilians live abroad.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
