We all know that this is a pivotal election for the United States; indeed, for the entire planet where the promise of America as a bastion of freedom and democracy is at stake.
While we would expect that the leadership in Washington, D.C., would be working to make voting easier for all Americans, it is very clear that the opposite is quite the case. Unwarranted threats of voter fraud, and attempts to disable the Postal Service to prevent voter participation is now the order of the day. It’s a sad and embarrassing situation for the American republic.
But Democrats Abroad is here to help all Americans, regardless of their political persuasion, be able to vote easily, quickly, securely, and importantly, timely. (And, in some cases, legally be able to vote twice, just to be sure)
According to the Federal Voting Assistance Program (www.fvap.gov) up to 2.9 million Americans live and work overseas and are eligible to vote back home. However, compared to at home, only about 7% of those eligible voters cast ballots, compared to 61% (in 2016) in the states. This is a huge and unnecessary gap.
Democrats Abroad’s raison d’être is to organize and mobilize overseas Americans to vote. And true to this core mission, it created, maintained, and continuously improved VoteFromAbroad.org to make it as easy and simple as possible to participate in American democracy.
However, as noted above, there are headwinds this year that make it imperative that Americans act quickly to be sure their votes are received and counted back home.
Because of COVID-19, and the digitizing global trend, up to 40% of all voting in the 2020 general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, will be by mail. This could strain the Postal Service in normal times, let alone when the administration itself is trying to suppress the vote.
Michele Obama put it best in her magnificent convention address:
“We have got to grab our comfortable shoes, put on our masks, pack a brown bag dinner and maybe breakfast too, because we’ve got to be willing to stand in line all night if we have to.”
For Americans overseas, our standing “in line all night” is following the four-step process that is required to be sure your ballot gets to the local election office correctly and on time.
Step One: Request your Absentee Ballot. Go, right now, to VoteFromAbroad.org and follow the directions. (Keep in mind that most states require overseas voters to register each year)
Step Two: Vote! By using the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot. This is how you get to legally vote twice! Because of COVID and other voter suppression techniques, it is recommended that you cast the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot just in case your state’s official ballot doesn’t get to you in time or get back to the states in time. This way you’ll be covered. And, only one ballot will count – that’s the law!
Step Three: Submit as soon as you receive it, the formal absentee ballot your state will send you. Each state has its own methods of returning absentee ballots. That information is available at VoteFromAbroad.org.
Step Four: Confirm that your ballot has been received on time. Each state has its own methods of confirming that your ballot was received. That information is also on VoteFromAbroad.org. If your ballot has not been received, you can vote again until it is received correctly!
Four simple and relatively easy steps to fulfill your responsibility as an American citizen to participate in our unique democratic process:
1. Request your Absentee Ballot from VoteFromAbroad.org;
2. Vote using the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot;
3. Submit as soon as you receive it, the formal absentee ballot your state will send you, and
4. Confirm with your local election office in the states that your ballot has been received.
As you know, in 2018 many of the local statehouse races and congressional races were decided by very small voter margins. Democrats Abroad puts a premium on getting our members and all Americans we can reach to send ballots to those small and large battleground races. This is a tough election against a ruthless and cornered autocrat wannabe, and every vote counts!
Also remember, VoteFromAbroad.org works for all Americans – the application just simplifies the process of requesting, receiving, and casting your ballot. Voting back in the states already started. It is recommended that you request your ballot today!
To further add from Michele Obama’s convention address:
“So, it is up to us to add our voices and our votes to the course of history, echoing heroes like John Lewis who said, “When you see something that is not right, you must say something. You must do something.” That is the truest form of empathy: not just feeling, but doing; not just for ourselves or our kids, but for everyone, for all our kids.
And if we want to keep the possibility of progress alive in our time, if we want to be able to look our children in the eye after this election, we have got to reassert our place in American history.”
Reno Domenico is vice chairman of Democrats Abroad Ukraine and president of Sterling Business School. For questions or comments, he can be reached at [email protected]
