58 STAT.] 78TH CONG., 2D SESS.-CH. 150-APR . 1 , 1944 appropriate legislation to enable each person absent from the place of his residence and serving in the armed forces of the United States or in the merchant marine of the United States, or serving in the American Red Cross, the Society of Friends, the Women's Auxiliary Service Pilots or the United Service Organizations and attached to and serving with the armed forces of the United States, who is eligible to vote in any election district or precinct, to vote by absentee ballot in any primary, special, or general election held in his election district or precinct in time of war; and in order to afford ample opportunity for such persons to vote for Federal, State, and local officials and to utilize the absentee balloting procedures of the various States to the greatest extent possible, the following pro- visions are enacted. "SEC. 202. It is recommended that the several States, when pos- sible, waive the application for a ballot and authorize the proper election officials to send an official ballot to every voter serving in the armed forces of the United States or in the merchant marine of the United States, or serving in the American Red Cross, the Society of Friends, the Women's Auxiliary Service Pilots or the United Service Organizations and attached to and serving with the armed forces of the United States. If an application is necessary then it is recommended that the several States, in order to avoid expense, duplication of effort, and loss of time, shall accept as applications for absentee ballots under such States' absentee balloting laws and as applications for registration under such States' election laws, the form of post card (when duly executed by a person to whom this Act is applicable) provided pursuant to section 203 of this title and section 3 of this Act prior to its amendment. "POST CARDS "SEC. 203. In order to afford an opportunity for persons to whom this title is applicable to vote for Federal, State, and local officials and to utilize State absentee balloting procedures to the greatest extent possible, the United States War Ballot Commission provided for in title III below shall cause to be printed and delivered to the Secre- taries of War and Navy and the Administrator of the War Shipping Administration an adequate number of post cards for use in accord- ance with the provisions of this title. The Secretaries of War and Navy and the Administrator of the War Shipping Administration shall, wherever practicable and compatible with military operations, cause such post cards to be delivered to each person to whom this title is applicable for use 'for any general election at which electors for President and Vice President or Senators and Representatives in Congress are to be voted for, such delivery to be made outside of the United States not later than August 15 prior to the election, and within the United States not later than September 15 prior to the election. The post cards referred to shall also, wherever practicable and compatible with military operations, be made available to such persons at appropriate times for use in general elections other than those referred to above and for primary and special elections. "Upon one side of the post card shall be printed the following: "Secretary of state or other appropriate official within the State of "I am in the armed forces ( ); in the merchant marine ( ); or in the American Red Cross ( ), the Society of Friends ( ), the Women's Auxiliary Service Pilots ( ), or the United Service Organizations ( ), and attached to and serving with the armed forces. I hereby request an absentee ballot to vote in the coming -------------- - (primary, general, or special) election. "(1) I am a citizen of the United States. Sending ofballots. Use of post card in making application. Ifra. 56 Stat. 753. 50 U. S. C., Supp. III, §303. Printing and deliv- ery. Availability. 137
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