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 Editorials | At Issue | July 2006 
Myths About Overseas Voting
 PVNN
| | Now U.S. citizens can complete the entire process of requesting an absentee ballot in two minutes flat at VoteFromAbroad.org! |
There are almost 1,500,000 U.S. citizens living throughout Latin America and Spain. Over 1,000,000 live in Mexico. With the 2006 Congressional mid-term elections only months away, DemocratsAbroad offers US citizens around the world an efficient way to request their ballots and to have a say in the direction of their home country.
Studies indicate that a large portion of the Americans living in Latin America are registered to vote in states where they may have the greatest impact in determining the outcome of close elections including: Arizona, Florida and New Mexico.
Jilian Hannah, the Mexico Media Contact for DemocratsAbroad located in Lake Chapala, asked BanderasNews to help her inform US Citizens that they can easily obtain an absentee ballot for the US 2006 Mid-Term Elections at www.VoteFromAbroad.org.
According to Democrats Abroad Chair Michael Cuervorst, "There are two big challenges in bringing home the overseas vote - informing Americans living abroad that they have the right to vote and making it easy for them to register to vote and request their absentee ballots. Since the launch of VoteFromAbroad.org, it has never been more convenient for these citizens to participate in our country's electoral process."
And, since many ex-pats believe they can no longer vote in US elections, they've asked us to print the following public service announcement in hopes that it will clear up some of the issues that many Americans living outside the United States believe prevents them from participating in the U.S. political process.
Myth #1: "Americans don't vote again until 2008."
WRONG. Americans go to the polls on November 7, 2006 to elect all 435 members of the House of Representatives, 33 Senators and 36 Governors. For U.S. citizens living abroad, it is important to request an absentee ballot as early as possible to allow for processing time and international post.
Myth #2: "I can't vote. I don't have a US address anymore."
WRONG. Regardless of how long you have lived outside the country, you always retain the right to vote in U.S. Federal elections. Your legal voting address is the last place you resided prior to departing the U.S.
Myth #3: "I don't need to register. I already did it last time."
WRONG. Overseas voters should mail a ballot request each year in which there is an election. Yes, there is a recent Federal law stating that a ballot request should be valid for four years. And there are some exceptions, like California which permits "permanent absentee" registration. But, don't forget that our votes are administered by 3,000 different local authorities across the country, each with its own understanding of the law. Better safe than sorry - send a new ballot request every time!
Myth #4: "They don't even count overseas ballots."
WRONG. Absolutely 100% false. By law, every valid absentee ballot must be counted before a final vote count can be certified. However, 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 ballot has been counted.
Myth #5: "One vote can't make a difference."
WRONG. Just look at recent election results:
2000: George W. Bush wins the state of Florida by a margin of 537 votes.
2004: Democrat Christine Gregoire becomes Governor of Washington State with a 127-vote lead.
2006: The race for a seat on the Erie County, Ohio Democratic Committee ends in a dead tie!
Myth #6: "If I vote the IRS will hassle me."
WRONG. Voting in U.S. Federal elections does not affect the determination of tax residence. You will not hear from the IRS because you voted in a Federal election. (Note: Voting in state and local elections can potentially affect state and local tax status. We recommend that you seek expert advice before voting in state or local elections.)
Myth #7: "Overseas voting is so complicated."
WRONG. This used to be true, but now U.S. citizens can complete the entire process of requesting an absentee ballot in two minutes flat at VoteFromAbroad.org!
Hispano-Americanos Viviendo en el Exterior Reciben Ayuda Para Votar
Democrats Abroad
Los Demócratas en el Exterior lanzaron una versión en español de VoteFromAbroad.org, un sitio web diseñado para el registro de votantes, de tal manera que pueden votar los 6.2 millones de americanos que viven fuera de los Estados Unidos.
Con las elecciones congresionales de medio tiempo dentro de pocos meses, este sitio web ofrece a ciudadanos estadounidenses de habla hispana a través del mundo una manera eficiente de solicitar sus boletas y tener participación en cómo se dirige su país.
Hay casi 1,500,000 ciudadanos estadounidenses viviendo a través de América Latina y España. Más de 1,000,000 viven en México. Muchos son hijos de matrimonios entre americanos y ciudadanos de sus propios países, y pueden encontrar la versión castellana de mucha ayuda.
Los estudios también indican que una gran parte de los americanos en América Latina están registrados para votar en estados donde pueden tener el más grande impacto en determinar el resultado de elecciones cerradas, incluyendo: Arizona, Florida y Nuevo México.
Michael Ceurvorst, Presidente Internacional de Los Demócratas en el Exterior, dijo: "Hay dos grandes retos en traer a casa el voto desde el exterior - informar a los americanos viviendo en el exterior que tienen el derecho a votar y hacerles fácil el proceso de registrarse para votar y solicitar su boleta de ausentes. Desde el lanzamiento de VoteFromAbroad.org, nunca había sido tan conveniente para estos ciudadanos participar en el proceso electoral de nuestro país."
Leo Pérez Minaya, Vicepresidente Regional de las Américas, dijo: "Ya he recibido comentarios positivos de Presidentes de los comités donde el partido está organizado en diferentes países de Latinoamérica diciendo que están emocionados con este nuevo recurso."
Los Demócratas en el Exterior son la rama oficial del Partido Demócrata para los ciudadanos americanos viviendo fuera de los Estados Unidos. La organización fue fundada en el 1964 y tiene delegados votantes en el Comité Nacional Demócrata. También envía una delegación a la convención del partido realizada cada cuatro años. |
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