State election officials are hoping more Georgians living overseas will vote in the upcoming GOP presidential primary election. Secretary of State Brian Kemp brought that message to soldiers at Robins Air Force Base.

Starting January 21st military and overseas citizens can access electronic ballots. The new online system replaces the need to request a ballot, wait to get it in the mail, and mail it back within 45 days.

Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp says the changes took place in 2010 after Congress approved the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act. It makes documents available electronically.

“If they’re on a boat somewhere or if they’re on a remote base, no if they can just get to a computer and a printer they can simply print that ballot out and then mail it back.”

So far, fewer than 600 people have requested the ballots for the March 6, 2012 primary.

Tags: Robins Air Force Base, Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp, Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act, Georgia GOP Presidential Primary