Get ready for 2023
Thanks to all FAWCO volunteers and members who worked to help overseas Americans vote in the 2022 elections in the USA. No nationwide elections are scheduled for 2023, but there will be special elections in various districts – register for the special election in Congressional District 4 in Virginia by February 14 – and some state and local elections. Be sure you are ready to make your voice heard if one of these comes your way. As soon as possible after New Year's Day, go straight to your computer and register to vote/request a ballot with the US Vote Foundation or the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP).
Throughout the year, FAWCO offers information and updates here, and regular articles on voting issues. Right now, for example, there is a new article about the increasing danger to US democracy. Another gives instructions for the individual voter, while a third article explains the need for all Americans to act to protect their Constitutional right to vote.
To join the US Voting Committee or to ask questions, contact the Chair at .
New! a video workshop on US voting from overseas, with the Chair of FAWCO's US Voting Committee and a guest from the Federal Voting Assistance Program. Check it out!
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 the January 2021 attack on the US Capitol and numerous voter-suppression laws passed by states, 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.
