National Security Leaders for America Urges Protection of Military and Overseas Voting Access

Calls on Election Officials in all States and U.S. Territories to safeguard ballot access under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA)

March 13, 2026

Washington, DC, March 13, 2026 National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A)  announced today that it has sent a letter to the officials responsible for overseeing elections in every state and U.S. territory, urging them to safeguard ballot access for military, diplomatic, intelligence, and other overseas Americans covered under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA).

In the letter, NSL4A emphasizes that many Americans serving overseas or away from their voting residence depend on timely ballot notification and reliable absentee voting processes, including delivery through USPS, Army Post Office, Fleet Post Office, Diplomatic Post Office, embassy pouch, fax, email, internet, or express courier. The letter notes that delays caused by late-breaking changes to voting districts, voting requirements, ballot formatting, or mail delivery can jeopardize whether those ballots are counted.  

NSL4A called on election officials to commit to accessible voting solutions for national security professionals from their states who are stationed elsewhere and requested a written response identifying each jurisdiction’s UOCAVA point of contact and current plans to ensure all covered voters can participate in the 2026 midterm elections.  

“Americans serving our nation overseas, at sea, in embassies, and far from home should never have to wonder whether their vote will count,” said retired Rear Admiral Mike Smith, U.S. Navy, Founder and President of NSL4A. “These men and women defend our democracy every day. The least we can do is ensure that every state and territory has clear, reliable, and accessible systems in place so they can fully exercise the constitutional right they serve to protect.”

NSL4A stated that protecting the franchise for military personnel, intelligence professionals, diplomats, embedded U.S. contractors, and their eligible family members is not a partisan issue, but a democratic obligation rooted in fairness, representation, and respect for public service. The organization stressed that many of its own members cast remote ballots throughout their careers and have seen firsthand how administrative obstacles can prevent ballots from being counted.