Overseas Americans Voting

Last activity 17 October 2024 by Enzyte Bob

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PalawOneSerial expat17 October 2024 05:57:17

471

Newspaper item today, perhaps of interest ..

"Overseas Americans Could Swing the Election"

By Farah Stockman, NYT Editorial Board Member, Oct. 16, 2024

Sharon Manitta, a 76-year-old retired textile conservator in Wiltshire, England, has been doing her best to get out the vote on the European side of the pond.

Manitta, who hails from Auburn, N.Y., moved to Wiltshire for work and stuck around. Now she’s the global press secretary for Democrats Abroad, which sets up tables at farmers markets and touristy areas in London with information about how Americans living abroad can cast a ballot from afar.

“People are working every minute they have, seven days a week, around their normal lives to do this work,” she told me in a phone conversation. “We are so concerned.”

An estimated 4.4 million Americans live overseas — from digital nomads to U.S. soldiers to students who are studying abroad.

According to the Federal Voting Assistance Program, https://www.fvap.gov/ more than 1.2 million Americans living abroad were registered to vote in 2020.

They make up an overlooked constituency that can pack a surprising political punch.

In 2020, 18,475 overseas voters cast ballots in Georgia, a state President Biden won by 12,670 votes, while 18,435 cast ballots in Arizona, where Biden won by 10,457 votes.

Last week, in a bid to woo these voters, Donald Trump pledged to address their greatest grievance: double taxation.

As in his previous tax cut proposals, he didn’t say how much it would add to the deficit, or in this case how he would prevent Americans from moving abroad to low-tax countries to save on their tax bills

Americans are virtually alone in the world in having to file taxes, even if they don’t live in the United States. It’s a big bureaucratic headache, especially for “accidental” Americans who simply happen to have been born in the country but haven’t lived there for years.

“We have been working on this problem for over 10 years, with other American organizations,” Manitta told me. (Exceptions for health insurance requirements was another big issue for them.)

But she is unmoved by Trump’s campaign promises. “If he didn’t do anything before, when he was in office,” she asked, “what makes people think he’s going to do something this time?”

If you live abroad, it’s not too late to exercise your right to vote: Go to the nonpartisan website Votefromabroad.org to find out how.

Larry FisherSerial expat17 October 2024 07:17:51

595

I voted online two weeks ago. Easy peasy

Enzyte BobViP17 October 2024 08:59:14

3616

Larry Fisher said . . . I voted online two weeks ago. Easy peasy

*****************************************

Can you give us some details or instructions? There are some of us that would like to vote.

Andy_1963Contributor17 October 2024 09:04:48

109

Hi, what is written here it is not entirely true. The double taxation is a matter for the whole world. There are double taxation treaties between the countries which usually specify where to pay the income tax. The basic rule is: More than 6 months resident in one country and you pay the tax there. See for yourself in irs.gov

The USA has these treaties for 60+ countries. It sounds like the same bullshit like the immigrants in Ohio eat cats and dogs.

Larry FisherSerial expat17 October 2024 09:31:20

595

Larry Fisher said . . . I voted online two weeks ago. Easy peasy *****************************************Can you give us some details or instructions? There are some of us that would like to vote. -@Enzyte Bob

You know Bob I can't give you exact details. But rough guidance. As long as you're still registered (I was) in your home state. If they offer it (mine did), they already have your info and sig and everything, so just go to the Secretary of State office website, and search for the links for Military and people abroad online voting. You'll verify your known info, and walla! The voter sheet should show up.

I'm from Nevada and found it was super easy. Like 20 mins easy. But it depends entirely on your state and if you were already registered. Some are getting too crazy with picture i.d. and proof of life, etc when they already have you as a citizen and on the voter rolls.

Good Luck!

PalawOneSerial expat17 October 2024 09:51:29

471

As the OP, one should always include the URL web address for any news reports.

Which I forgot to do. As an Aussie, with no 'side' one simply hopes the thread helps.

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/10/15/opinion/thepoint#overseas-americans-trump-taxation

Happy trails folks 😎

Enzyte BobViP17 October 2024 12:15:45

3616

Larry Fisher said. . . Enzyte BobYou know Bob I can't give you exact details. But rough guidance. As long as you're still registered (I was) in your home state. If they offer it (mine did), they already have your info and sig and everything, so just go to the Secretary of State office website, and search for the links for Military and people abroad online voting. You'll verify your known info, and walla! The voter sheet should show up. I'm from Nevada and found it was super easy. Like 20 mins easy. But it depends entirely on your state and if you were already registered. Some are getting too crazy with picture i.d. and proof of life, etc when they already have you as a citizen and on the voter rolls. Good Luck! -@Larry Fisher

**************************************

I'll try it and see if I can do it. I also lived in Nevada and the last time I voted was in the 2016 election so I don't know if I'm still registered. But my official address is now in Houston TX (U.S. Global Mail)

If they ask for my address maybe I could use my old address as I would like to cast my vote in Nevada (swing state).

Thanks for the info.

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