by Veronica Riffle, Co-chair, FAWCO US Voting Committee
Now more than ever before, it is important that all US citizens living abroad exercise their right to vote. About 2.2 million citizens living abroad are eligible to vote absentee—in many cases, even if they have never lived in the USA. Out of the 2.2 million overseas citizens eligible to vote, only 11% voted in 2024.
Imagine the impact if that percentage were even doubled for the coming election. What an impact that would have! We, as FAWCO members, can do something to improve participation. Here’s the plan.
The problem
We are in the final days of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, and soon fall activities will be gearing up. One of them is the 2026 midterm elections in the USA. Current events increase the importance of all overseas Americans exercising their right to vote. As of July 26, the 100-day countdown to Election Day—Tuesday, November 3—began. Remember that we overseas Americans will vote at least a month sooner: at the end of September or start of October.
I cannot emphasize enough how important it is that we all participate in this project on this shortened timeline and deal with the hurdles being put in place. Here are the two, for now, that are of the greatest concern.
- The Voter ID Act would require voters to present one of a strict list of government-issued photo IDs to prove their identity when casting a ballot. The Act, which will require a federally approved ID (e.g. passport or birth certificate with your registered surname—not your maiden name, ladies) passed the House and has been sent to the Senate. Action: call or write your Senators and tell them what you think about this proposed act.
- An executive order instructs the US Postal Service (USPS) to check each mail-in ballot to ensure that the voter is on the federal voter rolls and only deliver the ballots those who are on the list. This is not the job of the USPS, but that of local boards of elections. Attempts by the USPS to inplement this order could cause a lot of ballots to be delayed beyond the dealine for your county, or not to be delivered at all. The courts will decide, but will they do so before we start voting? This is also a topic to bring up with your Senators.
What we can do: massively increase overseas voter turnout
What if the turnout of overseas voters (11% in 2024) were even doubled for the coming election? What an impact that would have! We, as FAWCO members, can do something to improve participation. Here’s the plan.
- Inform and support your club members. Contact your club members by email, newsletter, social media, in person at meetings/activities, to ensure that they have registered to vote and that they check their registration status and make a plan to ensure that they cast ballots that will be counted. Give them the details spelled out here.
- Reach out to our communities, beyond club membership. We need to share this information by casting a wider net in our communities, beyond club membership. Where else can you find US citizens in your community? Here are some ideas.
To reach US citizens through international schools, club members with children could contact the administration and also the parent groups with the necessary information. Information could be posted on bulletin boards and on social media for the parents and eligible students. Remember that students who will turn 18 before November 3 are entitled to register and vote!
You can search for other English-speaking schools in your area and contact them by email or phone and ask if you might share the information with their American families.
Work through organizations. These may include AARO (Association of Americans Resident Overseas), historical associations, book clubs, churches, scout troops and other types of clubs. If any of these is active where you live, contact them and ask if they would share voting information with the membership.
These are just a few ideas. If you can add to them, send them to us on the US Voting Committee (), and we will share them with all other FAWCO members!
Each and every vote counts. If each of us can personally get five other people registered, imagine the impact we can make! We are a community of women with a purpose. Let’s make it happen.
