The Hill News

Ten states, Washington, D.C. and the Virgin Islands are seeking exemption from the requirements of the Military and Overseas Empowerment (MOVE) Act, a law that says they must mail ballots to military voters 45 days before any election.

In many of the states, primaries fall too near the general election for there to be a 45-day window.

The waiver applications will be reviewed by DoD officer Robert Carey, who directs the military's Federal Voting Assistance Program. 

The issue has sparked controversy for Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), a MOVE act co-author, who has accused the Justice Department of stalling its implementation.

He demanded in July that Attorney General Eric Holder do more to hasten states' compliance.

"If a state is not in compliance with the statute ... there is little room for 'dialogue' or negotiation," Cornyn wrote in a letter, "and [DOJ's] Voting [Rights] Section should take immediate steps to enforce the law."

DOJ responded that it was "forming a team of attorneys to monitor state compliance with the act's requirements."