Voting in Elections? USA

[john61ct]

IMO every citizen should vote, period.

Current location, or how informed or not, notwithstanding.

Some may agree with you and refrain, that is their right.

Originally Posted by cherylchecheryl

But voting for how a country is governed and not living there is a bit like not eating your own cooking.

I do that all the time too.

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

No you dont. Ive not lived in the USA since 2004 not maintained USA residency (address yes, residency no). I do have legal residency in other countries.

So where did you vote since 2004?

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by cherylchecheryl

If you are not going to be living in a particular country, why should you want to determine how it is governed?

Originally Posted by john61ct

Well we still have to pay our taxes, why shouldn't we get to vote?

Really should be mandatory like Oz and Israel afaic

I don't know a whole lot about 'Merican history but I sort of remember hearing about something along the lines of "no taxation without representation".












And a small correction - voting is not mandatory in Australia however attending a place of polling is - a small but important difference. We still use paper and pencil (although you can bring your own pen if you are distrustful of the counting scrutineers). You can stick the paper in your pocket and re-purpose it in the small room at home.

[laika]

Originally Posted by cherylchecheryl

If you prefer to live your life in other countries, why would you want to vote in elections in a country that you don't want to live in?

As it relates to this forum and cruising, living abroad on my boat made me a better citizen. Being immersed in and seeing the good bad and ugly in other countries is eye opening, and usually fosters an appreciation for the basic freedoms and small dignities it's easy to otherwise take for granted here in the US.

[Stu Jackson]

https://www.votefromabroad.org/vote/home.htm

[cherylchecheryl]

Originally Posted by Wotname

And a small correction - voting is not mandatory in Australia however attending a place of polling is - a small but important difference. We still use paper and pencil (although you can bring your own pen if you are distrustful of the counting scrutineers). You can stick the paper in your pocket and re-purpose it in the small room at home.

Interesting to hear about different countries. Didn't know that Austrialia had this law. Offtopic things are often the most interesting.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by valhalla360

So where did you vote since 2004?

Absentee from Guatemala & Panama.

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

Absentee from Guatemala & Panama.

So when did Guatemala and Panama become part of the USA?

You do realize, absentee balots are associated with a local jurisdiction...the local jurisdiction of which you are considered a resident....?

[john61ct]

And what?

I am very confused about how any of this is an issue?

There was no implication in the question nor answer that the voter needs to be resident in the jurisdiction of their Voting Clerk.

I am pretty sure the % of people voting is much higher among those USians living overseas, than it is among those living at home. Of course that's a very low bar. . ,

Is that really not the case among expats of other countries?

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by cherylchecheryl

If you are not going to be living in a particular country, why should you want to determine how it is governed?

Because your a citizen, that’s why.
When I was in the Army and serving overseas, shouldn’t I be allowed to vote?
Now if they move end surrender citizenship then of course they can’t vote

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by cherylchecheryl

If you are not going to be living in a particular country, why should you want to determine how it is governed?

As a citizen of the US you’re subject to taxation regardless of where you are. I think that’s more than enough reason to vote. Don’t you?

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by john61ct

And what?

I am very confused about how any of this is an issue?

There was no implication in the question nor answer that the voter needs to be resident in the jurisdiction of their Voting Clerk.

I am pretty sure the % of people voting is much higher among those USians living overseas, than it is among those living at home. Of course that's a very low bar. . ,

Is that really not the case among expats of other countries?

Residency is the core of the question. You are just focused on the lay person definition (ie: when you go to bed at night). Legally, your residency determines where you can vote. You aren't allowed to vote anywhere.

I would be curious how you came to the conclusion more expats vote than non-expats. I've seen nothing to suggest expats have an unusually high level of interest in domestic politics.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by valhalla360

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I would be curious how you came to the conclusion more expats vote than non-expats. I've seen nothing to suggest expats have an unusually high level of interest in domestic politics.

It would be good to know for sure.


I lived OS from 1975-78, and voted each election, both for local and federal candidates and issues. Since I've been able to vote, there has always been one party that continually has proven harmful to its constituents, and I vote for the other guys. I maintain my US citizenship here and continue to vote.


Votes have consequences, like war & taxes.

[john61ct]

Where you vote as an American citizen does not necessarily have to do with **either** your de facto nor legal domicile residency. It is easy for most to choose the latter, e.g. to coincide with your letterbox service, before heading overseas.

My point is that is as it should be, and most certainly so at the national/federal level.

I have lived as an expat over 80% my adult life, and both never failed to vote and observed / discussed many of my compatriots doing the same. Of course most USians living abroad are military.

Nearly everyone I know stateside does not vote.

And I do very strongly believe it should be mandatory and is a citizen's duty, just as much as paying your fair share of taxes.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by john61ct

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Of course most USians living abroad are military.>>>>>>>>>>
>

Where do you get this? You are aware of these things called "companies" that employ lots of citizens outside the US. And diplomats are not military.