25 January 2008
Americans Abroad Participate in Republican, Democratic Politics
Some Democrats overseas are able to cast their primary votes online
Washington – As Americans vote for party nominees in primaries and caucuses, so will many of the more than 6 million Americans who live overseas. And for the first time, some Democrats will cast their ballots on the Internet.
In 1976, Americans living overseas were granted the right to vote by absentee ballot in presidential and congressional elections. Since then, Americans living abroad have played an increasingly influential role in shaping politics back home where tight races can be swayed by the number of absentee ballots mailed from overseas. The organizations Republicans Abroad and Democrats Abroad help these Americans stay politically active.
In the general election, Americans abroad can mail an absentee ballot to their last state of residence. Republicans and Democrats can vote absentee in their state party’s primaries as well. But Democrats have another option: instead of voting in their home state, they can opt to participate in the Democrats Abroad Global Primary.
Just as states select delegates who cast their votes for a party nominee at a national convention this summer, Democrats Abroad awards delegates. From February 5 to 12, members of Democrats Abroad can mail or fax their ballot, or turn it in at one of 30 drop-in voting centers around the world. These drop-in voting centers are secure centers operating at a variety of venues, including an Irish pub.
For the first time, Democrats in 2008 also can use a secure Web site to cast their vote. Lindsey Reynolds, executive director of Democrats Abroad, said the group recognized that there was a large number of active Democrats around the globe who want to participate. “We needed to find a way that Americans could participate in our primary process from around the globe. The Internet proved to be that tool.”
Democrats Abroad holds its primaries regionally, awarding delegates proportionally per region. In the spring, these Democrats will meet in regional conferences in Brussels, Belgium, and Vancouver, Canada, to award delegates to the presidential nominees. The party platform also will be discussed at these meetings. Although they do not award delegates, Republicans Abroad also will be gathering this spring as part of its annual meeting in Washington.
HISTORY, INFLUENCE OF REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ABROAD
Just as party members get together to support their favorite candidates or raise attention to important political issues, Republicans and Democrats overseas hold their own political meetings and rallies.
Republicans Abroad, founded in 1978 has about 50 chapters around the world. Democrats Abroad started in 1964 with groups in London and Paris and now has members in more than 100 countries.
Like those living in the United States, Americans in other countries are concerned about international issues such as trade and security. But those overseas also work to teach lawmakers about topics of unique concern to them such as the U.S. federal taxation of those who live abroad and also pay taxes to foreign countries.
Ensuring that Americans’ image overseas is accurate is important to both parties’ members. The executive directors of both Republicans Abroad and Democrats Abroad said their members see themselves as ambassadors of the United States when living overseas.
Many chapters hold meetings to discuss political issues and share information about the presidential candidates. For example, the Republicans Abroad chapter in Manila, Philippines, holds monthly meetings to discuss the candidates and issues that will affect the 2008 U.S. election.
Members of other chapters gather simply to enjoy an American holiday together, socialize or raise money for charitable causes.
“It's a great way for Americans to meet each other while living abroad, and they know they will have a common interest,” said Reynolds.
“It is a great sense of community, sense of belonging,” said Cynthia Dillon, executive director of Republicans Abroad.
Supporting their party’s candidates and goals is important, but “our primary mission is to make sure Americans overseas register to vote,” said Dillon.
Voting overseas often has been a complicated process because different states have different requirements to cast an absentee ballot, leaving Americans abroad often unsure of what they need to do to ensure their vote will count. Additionally, mail service in some countries is so slow that some Americans do not receive the absentee ballot in time to use it.
Both organizations have worked hard to simplify the overseas voting process by providing information on their Web sites, www.republicansabroad.org and www.democratsabroad.org , which direct Americans to the resources they need to obtain an absentee ballot in their last home state. They also have lobbied successfully for tools that help those voting overseas. For example, if an American does not receive his or her state’s general election ballot in time, he or she instead can vote for president or a congressional representative by using a federal write-in ballot, a standard form available online that allows a voter to write in a candidate of choice.
