US Voting Committee stands by results of 2020 US election – what FAWCO members can do in 2021
FAWCO’s US Voting Committee stands by the results of the 2020 election. Overseas Americans know that mail-in ballots are safe and secure because we use them. All the ballots cast in the 2020 election were correctly counted, recounted as necessary and certified in accordance with state laws, and the results of the election certified by Congress as required by the Constitution of the United States. We advocate a peaceful transition of power and condemn the violent insurrection that took place in the Capitol on January 6.
We urge FAWCO members:
- to combat misinformation about the election;
- to share their views with their representatives in Congress on this issue, as with all the others affecting us as citizens; and
- to ensure that you are registered to vote in 2021, as several special elections will be held quite soon in Louisiana, New Jersey and Virginia.
You can contact the Committee Chair by email ().
Combating misinformation
Unfortunately, misinformation about the election, including charges of election fraud presented without evidence, is still circulating among Americans. Use accurate information, including from the sources below.
- The Twitter feed of Ellen L. Weintraub, chair of the Federal Election Commission until 2021, remains a good source of infomation, in addition to those previously provided by FAWCO's US Voting Committee.
- In addition, top officials called the 2020 election the most secure in US history.
- Neither the FBI nor the Department of Justice found any evidence of election fraud that could have affected the outcome of the election, even though a few individual cases were identified.
- Click here to see the 60 Minutes interview with Chris Krebs, former head of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in the US Department of Homeland Security.
- BBC reports that Fox News and Newsmax walked back claims of voter fraud after receiving threats of defamation lawsuits. A voting-equipment company filed a $1.3-billion defamation suit against one of the attorneys baselessly claiming widespread fraud. A blog has retracted its previous claims of widespread fraud.
- New York Times published a story: "The 'Red Slime' lawsuit that could sink right-wing media" (paywalled).
- A total of 64 lawsuits failed to change the election results.
Sharing your views with your representatives
FAWCO always encourages American members to express their views on their native country by voting. Especially in view of last week's attack on the US Capitol, you may wish to express your views on the way forward to your Senators and Representative. Here's how to do so.
To find and contact your US Senator:
- Visit the Senate website.
- Conduct a search using the Find Your Senators pull-down menu in the upper right corner (select your state and click Go).
- On the results page is a link to the Senators’ website, contact information, and links to an online contact form (forms vary by Senator).
To find and contact your US Representative:
- Visit the House of Representatives website.
- Conduct a search using the Find Your Representative zip code search box in the upper right corner (enter your zip code and click Go).
- On the results page is a photo of your Representative(s), links to the Representative’s personal website and online contact form, and a local map.
- If your zip code overlaps with multiple congressional districts, the results page will include boxes for you to enter your zip code+4 or mailing address to find the correct Representative.
Source: Contact Your US Senators and Representatives, American Library Association, April 21, 2014 (accessed January 13, 2021).
What FAWCO does
FAWCO’s US Voting Committee operates under the US Liaison, and encourages and assists US overseas citizens to participate in every federal election for which they are eligible by providing a dedicated website and information and training to volunteers in FAWCO member clubs, and helping with publicity. The Committee also works to reduce the barriers to voting from overseas imposed by federal and state legislation, through such means as Overseas Americans Week and work with partners such as the US Vote Foundation and FVAP. It publishes monthly articles on the FAWCO website, and summarizes and links to them in News in Brief and the US Liaison Bulletin.
In 2020, FAWCO has provided information and advice here, but also promoted overseas voting:
- through messages from the Social Media team (which started in 2019);
- in an online hangout with FAWCO Reps in January and online voter registration workshops;
- in a virtual workshop for all FAWCO clubs, and workshops for individual clubs, on helping overseas voters to register an vote; and
- through Regional Meetings and Club events.
To help FAWCO in this work, get better information for your club or community, and to arrange a virtual workshop for your club, contact the Chair of the US Voting Committee ().
Why vote from overseas?
Overseas Americans often complain that US law ignores or unintentionally harms us. While voter turnout in the US is much worse than that in many developed countries (around 65% seems to be cause for celebration), however, turnout for overseas Americans voters is only 4% – if we do not bother to speak, why should lawmakers listen to our concerns?
Our country needs to hear our voices – not just in the choice of President and Vice-President, and senators and representatives in Congress, but in state and local offices (in states that permit us to vote on them). Living as we do, in daily contact with the world outside the US and functioning as informal ambassadors for our country, we have unique insights to offer. And now that many political races are decided by small margins, we have a better chance to be heard than ever before. Seize this chance: vote in every year in which elections are held, and help other overseas Americans to do so.
FAWCO's US Voting Committee encourages and assists US overseas citizens to participate in every federal election for which they are eligible by providing a dedicated website and information and training to volunteers in FAWCO member clubs, and helping with publicity. The Committee also works to reduce the barriers to voting from overseas imposed by federal and state legislation.
To get involved or to ask questions, contact the US Voting Committee Chair at .
Register to vote
To register to vote, visit the US Vote Foundation.
