Heads Up: Two new attacks on overseas voting

News from the United States has revealed two new attacks on the rights of overseas voters. The White House threatens an unconstitutional executive order to forbid all voting by mail in US elections and stop the use of some voting machines, aiming to force states to use only paper ballots.

In addition, the House of Representatives is considering a new bill, the Proving Residency for Overseas Voter Eligibility Act, H.R. 4851 (“PROVE Act”). If enacted, the PROVE Act would require that all non-military overseas voters to maintain a “current” US residence or be assigned a voting residency in Washington DC – which has no representation in Congress.

Both of these moves are simple voter suppression, building on the Big Lie and myths about voter fraud in US elections.

Let's get busy

FAWCO partners the US Vote Foundation, American Citizens Abroad (ACA) and the Association of Americans Resident Overseas (AARO) are sounding the alarm and spelling out their objections loud and clear:

1. Response to threatened federal executive order to curtail voting by mail
2. Overseas voting leaders condemn bill that would gut UOCAVA protections
3. Leaders respond to the PROVE Act.

Now we in FAWCO need to play our part in this latest fight. That means:

• reading and spreading this news in our clubs and communities; 
• contacting our elected officials to share our views about these threats to our rights; and
• encouraging all overseas Americans to register to vote in 2025 (go to the US Vote Foundation).

Sharing your views with your representatives

Especially in view of the January 2021 attack on the US Capitol, numerous voter-suppression laws passed by states and new threats to overseas voting at the federal level, you should to express your views on the way forward to your Senators and Representative. Here’s how. (Worried about what to say? The wording in the US Vote Foundation statements is both clear and factual – feel free to borrow heavily.) 

To find and contact your US Senator:

1. Visit the Senate website.
2. Search for your Senators using the Contact link (scroll down to find it and select your state).
3. On the results page is a link to the Senators’ websites, contact information, and links to an online contact form (forms vary by Senator).

To find and contact your US Representative:

1. Visit the House of Representatives website.
2. Search using the Find Your Representative tab (click on it, enter your zip code and click Go).
3. 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.
4. 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.

You can also contact the governor and Secretary of State of your state to comment on state election laws and practices.

Let’s get busy.