Some Soldiers' Ballots Will Not Be Counted

Some Soldiers' Ballots Will Not Be Counted
Army Gunner Pvt. Brett Bailey, 24, went to Afghanistan eight months ago. Six weeks ago, he went on a special mission to protect votes in that country's first Democratic election.

But back home, his own vote in his own country's election will not be counted.

His mother, Gail Bailey, called it "insanity."

"Here's my son, giving his life so we can lead normal lives over here and so the Afghani people can have their first election, but he can't vote for his commander and chief," she said. "That is totally wrong."

State law says everyone voting early, including soldiers overseas, must file an application for an absentee ballot -- as well as fill out the ballot. Bailey simply sent in the ballot, not the application. It arrived at the clerk's office Oct. 14.

By then there was no way to correct the problem by mail, and no way to reach him by fax or e-mail in remote Afghanistan.