Secretary of State Diego Morales Attends Deployment Ceremony as Office Wins Grant Funding to Improve Voting Process for Active Hoosier Military and Overseas Voters

INDIANAPOLIS - (September 26, 2024) - The Indiana Secretary of State's Office is pleased to announce approval of his office's $350,000 federal grant proposal aimed at supporting and improving the voting process for Indiana's active military members and Hoosiers living overseas. This key funding will help support secure, accessible, and efficient voting for Hoosiers abroad before and during elections in our state.

As a proud veteran, Secretary of State Diego Morales understands firsthand the unique challenges faced by military personnel serving our state and nation on foreign deployments. "It is our high duty to ensure that the brave men and women who serve our nation, along with all Hoosiers living overseas, have the opportunity to participate in our elections. This grant will allow us to implement critical enhancements, making it easier for eligible military voters to maintain contact with their home election office, be informed about elections and importantly cast secure ballots from wherever they may be," said Diego Morales, Indiana Secretary of State.

The funding, provided by the federal government through the U.S. Department of Defense's Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP), will be used to improve Indiana's current systems that facilitate absentee voting for military and overseas citizens. Specific efforts will focus on enhancing voter outreach, upgrading technology platforms to ensure the security and privacy of ballots, and providing additional resources to educate overseas voters on their rights and the voting process.

Earlier this week, Secretary Morales attended the 38^th Infantry Division Departure Ceremony at Camp Atterbury to thank the finest and best Hoosiers in all the nation and wish them a safe return home. He also provided absentee ballots for servicemembers. More than 500 soldiers from all over the Hoosier state are set to be deployed overseas. Secretary Morales recognizes other Indiana Guard members currently serving our state and nation in Europe, Africa, and on our Southern Border.

Pictures from the departure ceremony are attached and approved for use.

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