Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) voted with his colleagues in the House of Representatives to approve the Veteran Voting Support Act, a bill removing existing barriers that make voting difficult for veterans. 

            “Veterans set the course for our Nation’s future through their service and they should be given the same opportunity to do so through their vote,” said Congressman Higgins.  “The Veteran Voting Support Act provides veterans with a voice by providing easy access to voter registration and information.”

            This legislation would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to make voter registration services available at VA facilities in states that wish to do so, a provision currently prohibited under this administration.  According to a 2006 US Census report, over 23 percent of all veterans are not registered to vote. 

            The bill, supported by veteran and voting rights organizations, including the League of Women Voters, requires VA facilities to: provide voter registration applications, assist a veteran with completing a registration, file a registration card completed by a veteran, guide an individual through the absentee voting process, and allow non-partisan groups and election officials to provide veterans with information on registration and voting. 

            There are approximately 25 million veterans living in the United States.