Overseas Americans often complain that US law takes no account of them and indeed often imposes extra burdens on them. But there is no reason for US lawmakers to consider our concerns, if we play no part in deciding whether they keep their jobs. Voter turnout in the US is much worse than that in many developed countries: around 65% seems to be cause for celebration. Voter turnout for overseas Americans is only 4% – if we do not bother to speak, why should lawmakers listen?
Your country needs to hear your voice – not just in the choice of senators and representatives in Congress, but in state and local offices (if your state rules permit you to vote on them). Now that many political races are decided by small margin, we have a better chance than ever before to make our mark. Seize this chance: vote in 2018 and help other overseas Americans to do so.
What you can do: register now – and get others to do so!
Early registration enables you to vote in party primaries, if you want to. But it always gives you good time to deal with any problems that might come up. Include registering to vote in your New Year’s resolutions in every voting year. Maximize your chance of playing your part in this vital election by ensuring that you are registered/have requested a ballot, and encourage all the other Americans you know to do the same. If you haven’t done so yet, go to the websites of:
- FAWCO
- FAWCO’s partner, the U.S. Vote Foundation or
- the Federal Voting Assistance Program
and fill out the form today! Send questions to the FAWCO Voting from Overseas Committee ().
Lather, rinse, repeat
Here’s FAWCO’s main message to every American we can find.
1. Register to vote/request a ballot for the 2018 election. Send the registration form/ballot request to your local election official (LEO) according to the instructions that accompany it. It’s a very good idea to check in with your LEO a few weeks after you register, in order to check your status.
2. Receive and complete your ballot. States are required to send out ballots 45 days before a regular election for federal office and states generally send out ballots at least 30 days before primary elections.
3. If your ballot does not arrive in time (1 month before November 6, 2018), send a federal write-in absentee ballot (FWAB). If your regular ballot arrives after you have sent off your FWAB, vote and send it, too, and let the local election official decide which one to count.
4. Use every network and connection you have to urge other Americans to register and vote, including: your FAWCO club, social media accounts, church, school, business, etc. etc. For tasks 1 and 3, use the online resources available to you to, including
- FAWCO's dedicated website
- FAWCO’s partner, the U.S. Vote Foundation or
- the Federal Voting Assistance Program.
Send questions to the FAWCO US Voting from Overseas Committee ().