Just a friendly reminder ...

[NanceGreggs]

... for American citizen DUers who live outside the States:

Please ensure that you've registered for your absentee ballot, so that you can vote in the upcoming election.

I am reminded of the importance of same after reading some very misleading comments on other websites - including several stating that any US citizen who doesn't live in-country is actually "breaking the law" by voting in US elections from off shore.

I know, I know - you'd think (especially after the 2000 "election") most politically-savvy people would be familiar with the phrase "absentee ballot" - but alas, some people obviously aren't. And the fact that this kind of disinformation is being posted on alleged "Democratic" websites is especially appalling.

If you are a US citizen, regardless of where you currently reside, you can (and SHOULD!) still vote.

Information about where to obtain an absentee ballot can be found by Googling "Americans Abroad" in your country of residence, or by contacting your last US-state-of residence representatives.

And anyone who tells you that you cannot vote if you are a US citizen, but not a current US resident, is either lying - or insufferably stoopid.

:patriot:

[firedupdem]

1. Thanks Nance n/t

[NanceGreggs]

2. Can't help but notice the immediate "unrec" ...

I guess some "patriotic Americans" have a problem with citizens voting.

Go figure ...

[Enthusiast]

16. There are a bunch of so-called

patriotic Americans that continue to try to prevent the opposition from voting. Apparently they don't understand that free and fair elections are the foundation of a representative democracy. That or they don't want the U.S.A. to remain a representative democracy.

[treestar]

3. Thanks Nance

Let's spread that accurate information! :kick:

[Bobbie Jo]

4. Timely reminder.

Tis the season! :kick:

Good to see ya, Nance! :pals:

[bigwillq]

5. K and R (nt)

[grantcart]

6. good reminder

[NanceGreggs]

9. I wouldn't have thought it necessary ...

... except for the fact that certain websites (which purport to be "Democratic" sites) have been spewing misinformation about out-of-country citizens not being legally allowed to vote in US elections.

I can only surmise that such sites have been infiltrated by RWers, who are trying to use "scare tactics" (a VERY right-wing tactic, as we all know) to discourage those who are likely to vote for Dems in the upcoming election.

Obtaining an absentee ballot is easily done - and as a US citizen residing in Canada, I am in a position to know!

Just have your US Social Security number handy, and your last US address, and you're done!

Still mystified by the unrecs, though - why would any good citizen unrec an OP about citizens voting?

[POAS]

7. One wonders what the agenda

would be for someone to mislead citizens living in another country about their voting rights.

I'm sure everyone here is sufficiently informed to not be so mislead but it is a timely reminder none-the-less!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. Good to hear from you, my dear Nance!

And, as usual, your information is spot on.

[rasputin1952]

10. Well...R's are insufferably stoopid...

come to think of it, they lie too...like all of the time...:D



I wonder if Michael (the Savage) Weiner has to get an absentee ballot, he'd have to cast his ballot from his personal hell...:hi:

[NanceGreggs]

12. Well, most countries have ...

... a Democrats Abroad or similar organization to assist US citizens with voting.

But Hell might not - being over-populated with Republicans and all.

:hi:

[Scurrilous]

11. K & R

:thumbsup:

[Born_A_Truman]

13. Not only vote ...

But I remember the delegates at the convention ... Democrats Abroad ... they have a vote there too!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democrats_Abroad

[Peacetrain]

14. Nance.. I hit unrec by accident.. arrrggghhhhh such good reminders

Mea Culpa

[NanceGreggs]

15. You are dead to me now, Peacetrain ...

... :rofl:

I've done the same thing myself, more times than I'd like to admit!

[Peacetrain]

27. ~rofl~

Yep not the first time for me either!.. finger hiccups I guess

[lunatica]

17. I think Americans who live outside the US know all this

At least all the ones I've ever known. The deliberate rumors that they're breaking the law is for home consumption and for ignorant teabagger ears. Americans who live in other countries, even temporarily tend to be professionals and educated.

[BlueMTexpat]

19. I concur.

As you say, this posturing is primarily for domestic consumption.

[DevonRex]

21. Then you're completely out of the loop. Many young people have left the country because they can't

find work here. And they're woefully ignorant about the process of voting outside the US for the first time. I know this because I have a family member overseas for this very reason. So Nance Greggs' reminder is very on point.

[BlueMTexpat]

18. The most complete information for Dems who reside abroad

can be found here.

http://www.democratsabroad.org/

The International Chair, I am proud to say, is an expat who also resides - as I do - in Switzerland: Christine Schon Marques. She is a lovely person in just about every way. http://www.democratsabroad.org/executive+committee

Christine was especially instrumental in promoting and bringing into being the global on-line primary for Dems Abroad in 2008. There are some exceptional individuals associated with the in-country group as well. We who live in Switzerland are fortunate in many ways. Even at least some of the expat Republicans there are reasonable. In fact, the two groups in Geneva played softball together on July 4.

Don't let yourselves be fooled, Dems. If you are US citizens of legal age and without felony convictions, you have the right to vote, no matter where you reside. But you MUST register in time! That is the most important thing.

[racaulk]

20. Great reminder for US citizens living abroad.

Thank you for posting this. :hi:

K&R

[DevonRex]

22. Nance, may I add that anyone who has a recent college graduate in their family who has left the US

to find work - please contact them with this information. Often these kids are ignorant of the facts. They've never voted outside the US before. Sure, they've voted absentee while they were in college but they may not know how to go about this while living and working in another country.

So, thanks Nance, for the reminder.

[madamesilverspurs]

23. Pleased to K and R --

In my neighborhood the disinformation is directed to the legal immigrant community; threats of instant deportation aren't unheard of, and whole families refrain from exercising their hard-won citizenship as a result. Suffice it to say that those threats and intimidations do not come from the Left.

That said, we've been subjected to some very nasty campaigning within the Democratic party, with no small injection of invective from the GOP. I'm on the way to a small gathering with Sen. Udall and Sen. Bennet, after which we'll settle in to await the outcome of the primary. Then it's on to November.


Good to see you, Nance!


-

[saracat]

24. I have never read that US citizens or expats are not allowed to vote posted anywhere.

Ever.That doesn't mean it couldn't have been but I really can't imagine, what with all the hoopla about overseas ballots and the military vote in a few recent elections that anyone who bother to attempt to mislead anyone who was the tiniest bit informed.
I will say however, I personally know a lot of expats who haven't bothered to vote because they aren't interested. I have tried to persuade them to vote but they just don't care anymore.

[yellerpup]

25. Kick this.

Spread the word. :kick: Thanks, Nance.

[Grown2Hate]

26. A hearty K&R... Thank you for your, as usual, awesome & timely posts. : ) NT

[NJmaverick]

28. K&R