A voting victory for veterans

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Voting may become a little easier for active military members thanks to a new bill.

The bill could lead to the development of an online voting system for military serving overseas.

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This week the Florida Senate unanimously passed a bill that aims to help veterans and active military vote more easily. Just one of the many ways to say thank you to those who serve their country.

“How do we say thank you? Some will say you can’t, and you probably can’t, all the sacrifices that they make, but we can pass Senate bill 184. Senate bill 184 is a small thank you,” Sen. Aaron Bean (R) said.

According to Bean who helped file the bill, the legislation could lead to the development of an online voting system for military serving overseas, a solution to a problem that has existed in the military for years.

George Higginbotham is a retired combat veteran for the U.S. Army with more than 20 years of service and supports the state Senate moving forward with an online voting system.

“The absentee ballot voting now, the way they have it now and the years that I've spent years in the military, I really didn't feel like that my vote counted,” Higginbotham said.  “Most active military people don't feel like their vote is being counted and it's a shame because they have a right and they defend this country and they should really be, their voice should be heard.”

The bill would also urge schools to provide college credit for military training and coursework completed by members of the military.