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EO 12642Executive OrderReagan · R

Executive Order 12642

Designation of the Secretary of Defense as the Presidential designee Under Title I of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act

This executive order designates the Secretary of Defense as the "Presidential designee" responsible for implementing Title I of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, which concerns absentee voting rights for military personnel and overseas citizens. The order also authorizes the Secretary to delegate these functions to other Department of Defense personnel.

53 FR 21975
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Key directives

  • Designate Secretary of Defense as Presidential designee under Title I of UOCAVA
  • Authorize Secretary to delegate functions to any person within Department of Defense

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Secretary of Defense becomes Presidential designee under UOCAVA Title I
  • authority to delegate functions takes effect

Near term (90d)

—

Long term

  • ongoing administration of military and overseas absentee voting programs

Risks & tensions

  • Centralizes voting administration under DOD rather than independent election agency, raising potential tension between military chain of command and civilian election integrity
  • Broad delegation authority could create accountability gaps if functions dispersed across DOD components
  • Text does not specify reporting requirements or oversight mechanisms for the designee role
Executive Order 12642: Designation of the Secretary of Defense as the Presidential designee Under Title I of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act · Executive Orders