Hurt backs the military
As a retired military officer, I would say that one of the most important things I could do during my service was to be able to cast my vote. For more than 20 years my wife and I voted by absentee ballot. This was as important to us as it is to those who can vote in their home districts.

In the last few years the military ballot has become a political football. The political party that feels the ballots cast will not support their candidate or their party has often made significant efforts to void the military vote. The U.S. mail, remote assignments and artificially created barriers have caused many absentee ballots to go uncounted. This is denigrating, demeaning and insulting to those who serve and support our freedom, and this frequently includes non-military voters as well.

State Sen. Robert Hurt recognized this travesty and has taken action to assure that Virginia absentee ballot voters will not fall victim to ballots mailed late by our state, to delayed distribution (for whatever reason) and to delays caused by overseas mailings. Specifically, Hurt’s involvement with SB 482, dealing with absentee ballots, provides for earlier mailing of the ballots in order to overcome these mailing and other distribution problems. Wording of the bill also eliminates most all of the political hodge-podge, as well.

There are several other reasons that Hurt will get my vote in the Fifth District Republican congressional primary on June 8, paramount among them are his experience, proven record and demonstrated fiscal responsibility.
WILLIAM O. SMITH
Moneta