Secretary Reed has been honored by the U.S. Department of Defense for his work in assisting military and overseas voters from Washington.

Pamela Mitchell, acting director of the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) at the Pentagon, recently presented Reed with a medallion and certificate of commendation. Reed and Mitchell are pictured above with FVAP’s Paddy McGuire (left).

The certificate reads:

“In recognition of your tireless efforts and dedication to military and overseas voters as Washington Secretary of State and Thurston County Auditor.

“Your impact reaches beyond your term of office.”

Reed’s reaction to being honored:

“I’m delighted at the recognition for Washington’s robust, continuing emphasis on helping our military and overseas voters. We have the greatest respect and admiration for our service members and want to do everything we can to help in the voting process.

“We have helped register our military and overseas citizens and worked to get them ballots electronically, as well as in paper form, and to allow them to return their voted ballots electronically.”

Reed asked that the state’s Elections Division guide overseas voters to online resources, including an Online Voters’ Guide and a Video Voters’ Guide.

Reed continued:

“We noted that Washington has moved its Top 2 Primary to earlier in August to make sure ballots went out to military and overseas voters at least 45 days before the elections deadline.

“Our 39 counties also are indispensable partners in serving our military and overseas voters, including businesspeople, Peace Corps and relief workers, missionaries and others who are stationed abroad.

“We share this significant award with our counties.”