The Adak Sun

He Urges Care in Voting

The Defense Department has cautioned all eligible military personnel and civilians who vote by absentee ballot to be sure they use the correct Federal Post Card Application form.

Letters from state voting officials indicate unauthorized ballot application forms are being used in many instances, a Defense Department official declared.

He said there has been only one card authorized for the last four years and indicated instructions have gone out repeatedly as to the proper card to use.

"But states are still receiving ballot applications on the wrong card," he said.

The old card measured three and one-half by five and one-half inches and has been unauthorized since PL 296, 84th Congress, revised the form.

The new, larger card, Standard Form 76, as revised in 1955, measures four and one-eighth inches deep and nine and one-half inches long. It is the only authorized ballot application for the current primaries and upcoming general election in November.

"Improper cards have gone to states from such installations as a nuclear power school, Army posts, air bases and submarines at sea," the Defense official declared, in emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.

"It could be that some states will not honor applications on the wrong card,"

he said.

At the same time, he urged all absentee voters to include city, county and state on their returns. Some states have indicated, he said, that absentee voters in many instances are neglecting to name their county on the post card applications.

Everyone who is eligible is urged to vote in the coming election, but be sure that your vote is counted! Fill out the application correctly!