Voting advocacy groups are raising doubts about a proposal to allow Massachusetts soldiers stationed overseas to vote by e-mail.

The measure was included in a veteran's benefits bill approved by lawmakers on Tuesday.

John Bonifaz of the group Voter Action said he supports efforts to make it easier for soldiers to vote, but said there's no way to guarantee e-mailed ballots aren't lost or tampered with.

He said a better way is to allow soldiers to download ballots off the Internet and mail them in.

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Gov. Deval Patrick signed the bill Wednesday.

An aide said Patrick wants to ensure soldiers can participate in elections and is relying on the secretary of state to make sure the new voting regulations maintain the integrity of the voting process.