No Absentee Ballots For Active Military In GOP Caucus

If Tuesday night was any indication, more people may be fired up about the chance to be part of early voting.

Stan Bell, the first vice-chair of the Bonneville County Republicans said people share a collective pride in the process. They get to exercise a right held sacred; the right to vote.

“Many men and women have died,” he said. “Blood has been shed for the right to vote.”

But some of those very same men and women, serving outside Idaho and fighting for the freedom, could not cast their own votes in the Super Tuesday process. In a caucus, there are no absentee ballots. That detail of the process caused a momentary stir at the Bingham County location.

“I don’t know how many times I’ve heard someone say, ‘Geez you’re a combat vet, gosh we really appreciate what you did,'” said Gulf War veteran Cylde Dilg.

Dilg said actions speak louder than words. He said it’s simply wrong that Idaho residents serving their country on bases outside the state or country don’t have a chance to make their voices heard.

“Basically they’re just telling military people taking in-coming and getting shot at every day like my son is, ‘We don’t care,” said Dilg.

The caucus system dictates a voter must be present to vote. Bingham County GOP Committee Chairman Scott Reese said he does care.

Reese let Dilg speak out on Tuesday night, despite rules outlining who is and isn’t allowed to speak. For Reese, the issue is personal.

“You know what? He’s got a valid point, and I agree with him,” said Reese. “My daughter is right now, she’s a first lieutenant in the Idaho National Guard.

Reese said his daughter is currently serving in Virginia, and was not able to vote. He said those who cannot leave their home, or are serving in other capacities out of state were also unable to vote, and that is troubling.

He also said the Bingham caucus was a tremendous success and a display of democracy at work.