Resumen de Message, milieu, technology, and turnout among military and overseas voters

Paul S. Herrnson, Ho Youn Koh, Michael J. Hanmer, Claire Smith

• Voting presents a challenge to military personnel and overseas citizens. Mail absentee ballots are often unreliable, and many citizens are unaware of their full range of voting options. Following implementation of a new internet-based ballot delivery system, we assessed the impact of the different email messages used to introduce it. Our findings show that communications with a concise subject line, source credibility, and that feature a citizen's reference groups encourage system usage. These communications also promote greater usage and turnout among citizens located in nations experiencing conflict, in allied nations, and abroad. Our findings have implications for scholars and political practitioners.