I’m up at 5am watching one of the family of spiders (the fauna in my little room think that it’s a zoo, for some reason. no mention of paying rent) crawl up my wall as I lean back and wish it well (do not fall on me, it will do neither of us any good).
But, if you’re an American citizen living abroad, this message from moveon will definitely do you good.
We’re down to the wire, because Americans abroad have to register to vote much earlier than you folks in the States, it’s super important to get the word out in the next few days, so people can register, get their ballots, vote and get them back to their counties.
Now, here’s another thing that just occurred to me: if you listen to (or produce) independent podcasts that have a progressive bent, record a GOTV promo for them, and ask them to get it on the show this week. Something as simple as:
“Hey, American citizen living overseas! Had enough? Register now to vote in November – Use votefromabroad.org. And now, you’re listening to…(name of podcast)”.
I’m hoping this diary, or another diary on the subject, will hit the recommend list and get front-paged, because we do need to get the word out now.
and now, the word from Move On.
(is that 3 paragraphs? hope so:-)
Terri in Tokyo
Subject: U.S. citizen abroad? Visit www.VoteFromAbroad.org
U.S. Citizen Abroad? Vote!
A new website helps U.S. citizens living abroad register and vote. Make sure you exercise your right. Visit www.VoteFromAbroad.org for more.
Get Your Ballot
You are getting this e-mail because you joined MoveOn on Iraq or another issue at some point over the last five years and you have a non-U.S. address. If you are not a U.S. citizen please disregard this e-mail.
Dear MoveOn member living abroad,
U.S. citizens living abroad can still exercise their constitutional right to vote–even if they no longer have a U.S. address.
Now, a new website, www.VoteFromAbroad.org, makes it quick and simple to get an absentee ballot. But deadlines are coming up–some as soon as just next week.
Please take a few minutes right now to click on the link below to learn how U.S. citizens living abroad can register to vote, request an absentee ballot and vote before the election. Then get your ballot and vote.
http://www.VoteFromAbroad.org/
It is expected that dozens of elections will come down to only a few hundred votes. The more than 6 million U.S . citizens living or working outside the country could be the difference this year.
The trouble is that overseas voting can be a complicated process. Luckily, a new website developed by Democrats Abroad makes the whole process quick and simple. At www.VoteFromAbroad.org, it takes just a couple of minutes to complete the required form.
If you aren’t yourself residing outside the U.S., or you don’t personally know any overseas voters, please share this idea with others who might.
Also, if you are a U.S. citizen you can support MoveOn’s Get Out the Vote effort with a financial contribution. Can you chip in? Click below.
http://pol.moveon.org/donate/donate.html?id=8985-604236-Q2Wv9ndP182fbQcDibVvMw&t=1
If you’re as close as Toronto or as far away as Tokyo you have the right to vote and be counted. Please register and vote.
Sincerely,
-Eli, Tom, Nita, Carrie and the entire MoveOn.org Political Action team
Monday, October 2, 2006 (in the U.S.A.)
P.S. The deadline for registration differs from state to state. To guarantee that registrations are processed in time, overseas voters should register immediately. You can verify state deadlines here: http://www.fvap.gov/pubs/ocgendeadlines.html
P.P.S. Here are some Myths and Facts about U.S. citizens voting abroad.
MYTH: “I can’t vote. I don’t have a US address anymore.
FACT: Regardless of how long you have lived outside the U.S., you always retain the right to vote in US Federal elections. Your legal voting address is the last place you resided prior to departing the US. (If you have never lived in the US, many states will allow you to vote using the legal voting address of one of your American parents. Check with local authorities.)
MYTH: “I don’t need to register. I already did it last time.”
FACT: Voters living abroad should request a ballot every election year. Yes, there is a recent Federal law stating that a single ballot request should be valid for four years. And there are some exceptions, like California which permits “permanent absentee” registration. But, overseas voting is administered by 3,000 local authorities across the country, each with its own understanding of the law. Better safe than sorry–send a new ballot request each election year.
MYTH: “They don’t even count overseas ballots.”
FACT: Absolutely 100% false. By law, every properly executed absentee ballot must be counted before a final vote count can be certified. If the number of outstanding ballots–overseas or otherwise–is smaller than the difference between two candidates, a winner may be called before every last vote has been tallied. But all outstanding ballots are counted prior to certification.
MYTH: “If I vote from abroad, the IRS will hassle me.”
FACT: Voting in US Federal elections does not alone affect the determination of tax residence. You will not hear from the IRS because you voted in a Federal election, i.e. President, Senate or House of Representatives. (Note: Voting in state and local elections can potentially affect state and local tax status. If you have concerns, seek expert advice before voting in state or local elections.)
MYTH: “Voting from abroad is so complicated.”
FACT: This used to be true. But now, US citizens can complete the entire process of requesting an overseas absentee ballot–and spread the word to friends and colleagues–in just a few minutes at www.VoteFromAbroad.org.
Please register and vote.
Support our member-driven organization: MoveOn.org Political Action is entirely funded by our 3.2 million members. We have no corporate contributors, no foundation grants, no money from unions. Our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. If you’d like to support our work, you can give now at:
http://political.moveon.org/donate/email.html?id=8985-604236-Q2Wv9ndP182fbQcDibVvMw&t=2
PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol. moveon.org/
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.
(emph. Terri’s)
