A call to action (a reminder for those who read Saturday’s post).
FAWCO has posted an excellent summary of two key bills impacting American voters abroad that the House will mark-up on Wednesday. FAWCO’s call to action includes a sample letter to members of Congress in support of these measures. What is more, FAWCO provides a concise overview of the legislation.
The bills will be marked-up on Wednesday so please send your letters of support as soon as possible — Wednesday morning at the latest.
Congressman Mike Honda (D-CA) to be Keynote Speaker
Washington, DC— Congressman Mike Honda (D-CA) will be the keynote speaker for the first Democrats Abroad Overseas Voting Reform Symposium on April 24, 2009 from 9:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Washington Court Hotel, 525 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. The symposium is hosted by Democrats Abroad, which is the official arm of the Democratic Party for Americans living outside of the United States
Democrats Abroad will present the results of a recently-completed global survey of members in more than 160 countries and territories. Major study recommendations include standardizing overseas absentee registration and voting standards and procedures across all States, and strengthening outreach and education to those new to voting—and to voting from outside the United States.
Democrats Abroad International Chair Christine Marques will chair the symposium. The voter survey results will be presented by a panel of Democrats Abroad members including Colorado voter Gary Suwannarat who lives abroad in Thailand and New Jersey voter Joe Green, who lives abroad in Canada.
A second panel will focus on issues faced by States and localities in managing overseas absentee voting. Participants include representatives of the Federal Voting Assistance Program, the Department of State and State Board of Elections.
The Overseas Voting Reform Symposium precedes the Democrats Abroad Spring Meeting also held at the Washington Court Hotel, April 25-26. For more information, please contact Jody Couser at pressofficer@democratsabroad.org
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www.democratsabroad.org
Democrats Abroad is the official overseas branch of the U.S. Democratic Party. With members in more than 160 countries around the globe, Democrats Abroad holds eight positions on the Democratic National Committee and sends a voting delegation to the Democratic National Convention to select our presidential candidate.
The Washington Post reports that the prospect of a voting member of the House of Representatives for Washington, DC is looking good given the composition of the new Congress and President-elect Obama’s past support of the measure — indeed he co-sponsored similar legislation last Congress.
This is good news for all Americans and especially for those of us abroad. It would repair a great and historic inequality for the people of the District of Columbia and further cement the concept of now taxation without representation in the bedrock of American democracy.
Optimistic Push for D.C. Vote In House – washingtonpost.com
Andy Sundberg, a founder of American Citizens Abroad and a zealous advocate for all issues impacting Americans abroad, writes:
Common Cause has produced a very interesting and timely report on voting problems that are likely to occur in ten important swing states this November in our 2008 Presidential election.
It seems incredible that the world’s richest and most powerful country can’t do a better job in setting up a fair and equitable voting process that not only ensures everyone an equal chance to cast a ballot, but also and equally importantly guarantees a correct recording of these votes as cast.
The full Common Cause report is available here (PDF).
If you think this current situation is unacceptable, it is up to you to fulfill your patriotic duty by picking up your pen, or start pecking at the keyboard of your PC to send an appropriate message to your state and federal representatives asking them to do something about this.
Things are looking up in DC for Americans abroad according to a recent International Herald Tribune article by Brian Knowlton, Efforts increase to enfranchise U.S. citizens abroad – International Herald Tribune. In addition to the roll-out of the elegant new Overseas Vote Foundation website in October, the article reports that the Federal Voting Assitance Program, will soon launch a new site that includes plans to allow voters from twelve states to scan and e-mail completed voter registration and ballot rewuest forms.
What is more, Congresswoman Maloney and Congressman Mike Honda (D-CA) have both introduced bills to address problems with voting from abroad. And significantly, IHT reports that:
Three nonpartisan groups – American Citizens Abroad, the Association of Americans Resident Overseas, and the Federation of American Women’s Clubs Overseas – announced their “unified, strong support.”
According to Mr. Knowlton, “Democrats Abroad, called the legislation “practical” and added, “We’re really delighted.” But Cynthia Dillon, executive director of Republicans Abroad International, had no comment.” It is disappointing that Republicans Abroad had no comment. I hope they will rectify that and support these efforts to ensure that all American’s are able to exercise the fundamental right to vote.
In a related news the IHT notes that the House Americans Abroad Caucus launched earlier this year by Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) and Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) has trebled its size. Incidentally, while the caucus is bipartisan, it still needs a Senate counterpart to be bicameral. Ask your Representative to join and encourage your Senators to launch an Americans Abroad Caucus in the Senate. As I mentioned in an earlier post on this subject, the Federation of American Women’s Clubs Overseas, Inc. has a sample letter here.
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