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If you are leaving, make sure you know how to vote from abroad! [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2025-02-05
I’m reading the sad diaries of people who are giving up and moving abroad (self-deporting) to try to protect themselves or their loved ones from this dangerous administration. I understand. But as an American with white (and other) privilege, I believe it is my duty to stay and protect/resurrect democracy. If not us, then who?
My uncle died 80 years ago in France fighting Nazis. He was shot in the Battle of Jebsheim and survived 5 more days before succumbing to the injuries from machine gun fire. I personally need to live up to his sacrifice. I’m afraid I didn’t inherit his bravery. I’ll admit, I’m scared and often paralyzed with fright and despair. But I have to shake it off and then do the work.
So my plea to the soon-to-be expatriates is this, if you have the luxury of a few days before you leave (and feel safe enough, of course). Please make sure to check in with your local elections officials to learn exactly how you may vote from abroad before you leave. You can file from abroad, but it’s so much easier to do it in person. In some states you can get on a list to be sent your ballots automatically for every election. When you are safe, you may want to let your local Democratic party know that you have emigrated and that you will absolutely be voting, so they don’t have to keep going to your old residence for GOTV. (In Wyoming, at least, your voting address stays at your last residence even if you never live there again. It’s confusing for canvassers and the new residents.)
Please join Democrats Abroad (democratsabroad.org) and share their links and resources with other ex-pats. Democrats Abroad make a big difference in our elections. They have chapters around the world and do excellent work to GOTV and to speak up about bills and issues.
From their website:
Our impact and why it matters
In 2020, Democrats Abroad played a pivotal role in increasing the civilian vote abroad by 73.5% over 2016. As a result, overseas votes made up the margin of victory for White House and Senate races in Georgia and Arizona.
We wish you well and hope you will be doing what you can from abroad. I’m sure DKos folks will.
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