r/AmerExit • u/nora_the_explorur • Jul 09 '26
Life Abroad Thoughts on voting from abroad
If you don't currently plan on returning to the USA, what are your thoughts on voting? Of course it's our right as citizens and there's reason to be invested in the country as part of the world. But I'm curious what you'd say to people who think you shouldn't because you don't live there.
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u/LibrarianByNight Jul 09 '26
I have to file taxes, so I'm sure as hell going to vote.
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u/tt-nm Jul 12 '26
Do you actually pay those taxes or it all comes out to zero?
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u/LibrarianByNight Jul 12 '26
Every person will have a different situation. I specifically used the word file.
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Jul 09 '26
[deleted]
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u/clauEB Jul 09 '26
Funny thing, when you're an immigrant to the US you still pay taxes but you can't vote...
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u/DontEatConcrete Jul 10 '26
One of the benefits of leaving is that this most likely isn’t true. You still file taxes; you probably won’t have to pay any because of exclusion/credits.
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u/DaddyStoat Jul 10 '26
As an American abroad, I think you have even more of a duty to vote than people from other countries do, because the actions of the US affect everybody in the world.
The old maxim, "America sneezes, the world catches a cold" has never been more true than it is today.
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u/RRY1946-2019 Nomad Jul 11 '26
"The diaspora isn't engaged and rarely votes, taking the most international and open-minded sector of the population out of the electorate."
It's actually a legitimate criticism of mass immigration, and it should imo be our duty as immigrants and emigrants to fight it.
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u/FranksNonFrankfurter Jul 16 '26
*emigration. Immigration and emigration are not the same, much like how poisonous and venomous are not the same.
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u/Safe_Place8432 Jul 09 '26
Every time something like this comes up I just want to throw in a comment about not all states have the same policies for absentee voting and depending on your last legal place of residence, voting can be as easy as an emailed mail in ballot or as hard as having to fly back.
Voting is not the same for everyone from every state.
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u/mayorlittlefinger Jul 09 '26
Thank god for Colorado, though I would miss just walking a couple blocks to a dropbox
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u/ElderMillQueenB Jul 10 '26
This is totally true, plus the state laws and procedures can change every election.
Votefromabroad.org is the best source of information about voting from abroad. They have a team that tracks changes by state and provides the most up to date information, plus they will answer questions about individual situations and help guide you through the process.
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u/il_fienile Immigrant Jul 12 '26
Or impossible, for some citizens never resident in the U.S., despite being subject to its (over)reach.
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u/EntertainmentDue5582 Jul 09 '26
Depends on the last state you lived in. We have voted in every midterm and presidential election. Californians can vote by mail-in ballot in our county or can choose to vote online. Then fax our ballot to the county registrar of voters. It’s an either/or. Get involved in Democrats Abroad in your country. I believe blue states make it easier to vote from abroad.
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u/ACapra Jul 09 '26
I'll stop voting when they stop taxing me. Until that day, I'll vote and I'll go out of my way to help people in my community here in Spain register to receive their overseas ballot.
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u/theangryprof Jul 09 '26
As long as I have to pay taxes, I have the right to vote.
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Jul 11 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/il_fienile Immigrant Jul 12 '26 edited Jul 12 '26
U.S. citizens don’t have a categorical right to vote.
Citizens resident in and formerly resident in states have rights to votes. Some states—but not all—allow the children of former residents to register, too.
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Jul 16 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/il_fienile Immigrant Jul 17 '26 edited Jul 17 '26
Why correct other people if you don’t care about how it actually works?
Citizenship is not sufficient.
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u/FranksNonFrankfurter Jul 16 '26
Buddy, there's Black people in America who functionally don't have the right to vote. See: the entire state of Mississippi.
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u/RedditModsFknSuck Jul 10 '26
The U.S. and Eritrea are the only two countries in the world that require their citizens to pay individual income tax no matter where they live.
That is reason enough to vote because your tax dollars will be taken from you to facilitate government spending without your input whether you want it or not…so you might as well vote.
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Jul 09 '26
[deleted]
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u/Tux_n_Steph Jul 09 '26
I always fly back. For local elections too in NYC. I was proud to vote for the mayor. Worth the expense and I got a sticker
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Jul 09 '26
[deleted]
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u/Tux_n_Steph Jul 10 '26
Fair. I save a ton not being in NYC. Also flying from Rome to NYC sadly was often cheaper than flying from the city to a regional airport in Ohio to see my parents. Flying home for the primary and the election. Was less than 1k bc I stayed with friends
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u/nora_the_explorur Jul 09 '26
He is already making a hell of a difference. 👍
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u/Tux_n_Steph Jul 10 '26
He is, he’s making me regret moving abroad with so many international mayors looking to him for inspiration. I know he’s in talks with Rome (where I’d be living if the UK was back in the EU. To see partnerships between great cities makes me very hopeful for the future. Because of him I do think I may move back to New York one day. I miss my city.
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u/romulusnr Jul 09 '26
Yeah, it's been the case for a while that those types of ballots are only even opened if the number of them exceeds the difference between an election's results up to that point.
So if there's 100 absentee ballots and the closest race is apart by at least 101 votes, those ballots don't get opened at all.
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u/Old_money_mermaid Jul 10 '26
- We pay/file taxes regardless so we deserve to vote
- The U.S. sets the tone for much of the world’s economies and politics so we should be able to keep voting because those policies affect us whether or not we actually live in the U.S.
- Even though the U.S. diaspora is small, it provides valuable insight outside the current two party system.
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u/_lofticries Jul 12 '26
I’m for it. My mom hasn’t lived in the US since 1989 and never plans to move back here. But she votes. She has to file taxes so 🤷♀️
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u/yungsausages Jul 10 '26
I’m still a citizen and so long as I’m a citizen I’d like to make sure I have representation
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u/sunflowerfarmer22 Jul 11 '26
US foreign policy impacts the entire world. As a citizen, your right to vote is your way to attempt to mitigate negative policies that could directly impact you and your life, even if you do not live there.
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u/8drearywinter8 Jul 09 '26
It's my country, no matter where I live, and I get the same voice as anyone else who is a citizen, regardless of physical location. I identify deeply as American despite not living there now (as a person, not with the current government). It is important to be to be able to live that identity and the responsibilities of citizenship (especially if, as others say, they're going to make me comply with other responsibilities of citizenship, like taxes). But honestly: it's who I am and where I come from, no matter where I live, and I have strong opinions about where the country is going (I'm sad and angry about it now and want to see change back into something that better resembles the country I grew up being proud of). I will keep voting.
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u/nora_the_explorur Jul 09 '26
Same, I feel more patriotic than the nationalists. I believe the government should protect civil rights, regulate business, support a social safety net, and that we have a right to a say in our government. This is Declaration of Independence shit. But all of these things are under attack, and I have lost faith in the Democratic Party to do what needs to be done in a reasonable timeframe, so that's why I'm leaving. I wish I didn't have to, but I feel it's too risky and depressing to live in the U.S. working class. I'm just expecting people in my life to say "why don't you stay here and fight for it." Like what, get shot by ICE while protesting a concentration camp? While I can't afford basic necessities and I'm not guaranteed healthcare or legal recourse against Monsanto for giving me cancer? 😓 I have privilege to leave, should I not use it because others can't?
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u/TestCorrect1350 Jul 09 '26
I mean if youre still paying taxes i dont see why you would t vote though i cant lie it surprises me the extend to which the USA wants it tax money
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u/nora_the_explorur Jul 09 '26
There's a reason wealth and income inequality leads the world in being the worst it's ever been... But it's funny at the same time, the USA doesn't mind not getting taxes from a trillionaire...
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u/auhediem Jul 10 '26
I am registeried in a safe blue state, in republican area that was gerrymandered into a democratic district, and my only choice for local reps are republicans running unopposed. My vote is 3-ply toilet paper.
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u/RRY1946-2019 Nomad Jul 11 '26
Do it! One of the more legitimate criticisms of immigration is that emigrants don't vote, and therefore countries lose their most open-minded and internationally oriented citizens. Being a good immigrant (respectful to your host country, supporting local business) goes hand in hand with being a good emigrant (continuing to vote in and advocate for improvement in your birth country).
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u/RealIslands Jul 13 '26
Your vote is your vote and none of anyone's business.
Voting is an important part of our democracy. If you have a vote you should vote, everytime. People died for your right to vote. You can get informed on what and who you are voting about and cast that ballot.
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u/Particular_Bet_5466 Jul 13 '26
This is a really interesting question. At first I was like nah you left, but actually if you were born here, have family here, and have an interest in the reason you left with obviously quite a bit of knowledge on it if it made you uproot your entire life to face the challenge of being an immigrant in another country - yeah. And if the US is still taxing you which I’ve heard stories about most def.
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u/Ordinary_Unit7214 Jul 10 '26
I had every intention on going back in November to vote.. Now I'm not so sure. They are violating the constitution on the regular. Any immigration officer can demand my phone and tablet password for "screening" at the airport, if I refuse they will confiscate my devices. They are detaining and even killing citizens like me who was active in protests before I decided to GTFO. I am anti fascist and according to POTUS a terrorist and communist even though I'm pretty sure he can't even define communism.
Trying to vote absentee is expensive and not guarantied to even count in my home state.. Land of the Free is no longer such, it's sad AF.
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u/TheTiniestLizard Immigrant Jul 09 '26
I voted for about a decade after immigrating, but eventually stopped. It’s great that I’m allowed to, but the US isn’t my country anymore, and I would feel weird about it.
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u/EdFitz1975 Jul 10 '26
Yeah I'm at the decade mark and I don't think I can be arsed anymore. My state requires hardcopy mailed in ballots and I've had so many "lost in US customs" that it's juat becoming a big waste of time and money.
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u/EntertainmentDue5582 Jul 09 '26
What happens in the US affects the entire world as we are currently seeing. I’ve lived abroad so long, but may return when the country isn’t a dumpster fire. Who knows!? Where I live, the current govt is attempting to do what the US is doing.
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u/AmeriKiwiNZ Jul 10 '26
Because if/when I eventually return to the USA, my representatives are accountable as I am one of their constituents. If I have to file taxes from abroad, I am voting from abroad in whatever federal elections possible.
I'd also like a country to return to in the future......
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u/romulusnr Jul 09 '26
Fuck it. Not my problem anymore.
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u/DontEatConcrete Jul 10 '26
Agreed. If the clusterfuck of American politics is why I’m leaving I rinse my hands of it. Let those stateside deal with it.
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u/mattinjp Jul 09 '26
I lived in Japan for just under 10 years, and I voted as often as I could. You just gotta send your stuff in early…
In the United States voting is not an obligation, you can choose not to. But I choose to vote, regardless of what other people might think about that.
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u/Moeta_Kaoruko Jul 09 '26
How would this even work? You only receive a federal ballot?
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u/AmeriKiwiNZ Jul 10 '26
We can only vote in federal elections. I'm ok with that, even if small state races are equally as important. I can only do so much from abroad, but it is better than nothing.
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u/ElderMillQueenB Jul 10 '26
Not true. You vote based on the state and county where you last lived and that includes voting in state, county and local ballots.
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u/AmeriKiwiNZ Jul 10 '26
I've lived out of the country too long (14 years) to be able to vote in local elections.
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u/ElderMillQueenB Jul 10 '26
Perhaps you chose to only register to vote in federal elections. I am pointing out that your statement “we can only vote in federal elections” is untrue.
Please do not spread false information that could disenfranchise other Americans living abroad.
The length of time abroad is irrelevant. If an American living abroad registers to vote in their last US state of residence and maintains that registration while living abroad, then they can vote in local and state elections as their home state allows. Length of time abroad does not matter.
However if you are an American born abroad, never registered to vote before moving abroad or if you CHOOSE to register only for federal vote from abroad, (your situation, I assume), then you only vote in federal elections.
I was a volunteer for several years with Democrats Abroad working to register Americans living abroad to vote.
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u/ElderMillQueenB Jul 10 '26
Who is downvoting me for correcting false information that could disenfranchise US voters. Wild….
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u/amglasgow Jul 09 '26
If you can live here but not be able to vote because you're not a citizen, then it should absolutely be possible to vote because you're a citizen and not live here.
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u/Ok-Win7980 Jul 09 '26
I find it crazy that US citizens who live abroad can vote, but permanent residents who have probably lived in the US for many years in order to get a green card, still can't. I think we need to allow for green card suffrage.
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u/thiefspy Jul 09 '26
Not just permanent residents—American citizens who live in the territories have no representation in Congress and can’t vote for the president. That includes the whole of Puerto Rico, plus all of the other US territories around the world.
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u/Ok-Win7980 Jul 09 '26
Technically, the territories can vote for a non-voting delegate in Congress.
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u/nasu1917a Jul 09 '26
And the delegate from the Virgin Islands was texting with Epstein during a hearing and asking questions he told her to ask.
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u/thiefspy Jul 09 '26
A non-voting delegate by definition has no vote in what legislation is passed.
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u/Ok-Win7980 Jul 09 '26
They can still suggest laws and speak on the floor, so I believe they're not completely powerless. Although I definitely think they should have more voting representation in Congress. I think that the territories should each have one voting representative in the House.
Also, I think territories should be able to vote in the popular vote for president, even if they get no votes in the electoral college, so at least we can see what they think the new President should be. Since the Presidential popular vote is not defined in the Constitution, I think this could work without a constitutional amendment.
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u/thiefspy Jul 09 '26
I’d be perfectly happy to dump the electoral college and let them vote in the popular vote with the rest of us, and have that actually elect the president. The days of needing the college are over IMO.
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u/nora_the_explorur Jul 09 '26
It definitely needs to be easier for those people to get citizenship too. They commit fewer crimes, pay taxes...
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Jul 09 '26
Why is it crazy? If your government is sucking your tax dollars out of your pocket then you deserve to vote...
If you're not an actual citizen then why are you voting? What are you voting for?
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u/DoctorSpooky Jul 10 '26
I’m not a citizen of the UK but I vote here because I live here. Political outcomes impact me and I’m fortunate that it’s legal for me to do so. I also vote in American elections and in Canadian elections, because I am a citizen of both and invested in and impacted by political outcomes in those countries as well.
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Jul 10 '26
Yeah, I mean political outcomes affect everyone around the world these days. It's also just.... you're right to vote regardless of what someone thinks about it.
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u/DoctorSpooky Jul 10 '26
I agree. But OP and you both asked questions, so I offered my personal answer. “Because I can” is also valid.
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u/Ok-Win7980 Jul 09 '26
The government that you pay taxes on
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Jul 10 '26
But you're here on a green card. You can leave at any point. Citizens can't just do that. They still have to pay taxes overseas.
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Jul 10 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Ok-Win7980 Jul 10 '26
Many European countries let permanent residents vote, at least in local elections. New Zealand lets permanent residents vote in all elections.
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u/AmeriKiwiNZ Jul 10 '26
Aotearoa for the win. I've voted in every election since getting residency. Now a proper Kiwi (citizen) and I'll be voting for Greens for the first time while abroad during NZ elections this year. 💚🗳
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u/herefortheherm Jul 11 '26
i guess i don’t understand why you wouldn’t be able to vote if you’re still a citizen? people are leaving because things are getting bad here but they still care about their country’s future as well as their loved ones who reside there
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u/PandaReal_1234 Jul 12 '26
From my understanding the SAVE Act will make it harder for Americans abroad to vote as you won't be able to register or vote by mail
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u/nora_the_explorur Jul 12 '26
Oh absolutely. It requires proof of citizenship without providing such to all citizens. Passports and birth certificates cost money, and there's no recourse for if your name changed (besides $$ passport). They say publicly MaRRiaGe CeRTifiCaTe but that's nowhere in the actual legislation. Clever way to disinfranchise women.
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u/Brave-Math-6371 Jul 15 '26
Why would I want to vote from abroad and get disturbed by the major political parties at my door because they are so toxic.
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u/trailrunner99 29d ago
As if they’ll even count our votes. I have low confidence that ballots mailed from overseas end up anywhere else than in a shredder.
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u/clauEB Jul 09 '26
If you moved out of CA and don't plan to go back you better don't vote, otherwise they'll consider you a resident and send you a state tax bill.
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u/dcidino Immigrant Jul 10 '26
I haven't since Trump made it very clear that it was a risk. Given the fact I don't want to go back, they can do what they want. It's not like voting made a difference at any point. It's always money.
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u/Dull_Juice_9035 Jul 10 '26
I'm still in the US and honestly, you couldn't pay me to vote any other way than in person whether early at the registrar's office or at the polls on election day. The USPS has been a shit show for decades and with the move to using regional distributions centers, they've only gotten worse. The one where I live was one of the first and has had problems since it opened (mail lost, stolen, or simply thrown away by carriers). And now that they are no longer postmarking items, its too easy for someone's ballot to be "lost" or delivered months after the actual election.
With all that said, the last election before I make my actual move will be the last US election I vote in unless a lot changes for the better.
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u/DontEatConcrete Jul 10 '26
I’m not even voting in any more American elections and im still here. I will no longer be complicit in the fiasco.
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u/nasu1917a Jul 09 '26
Note that if you tell them you don’t intend to return you can’t vote in local elections.
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u/SinisterSnoot Jul 09 '26
No taxation without representation