Americans Abroad

Estimates of the number of American citizens living abroad range from 4-10 million -- numbers that exceed the population of many states in the US. While the exact number may be elusive, what is clear is that on a daily basis Americans overseas are involved in de facto public diplomacy and represent America in myriad and many settings all over the world.

Americans Abroad for Obama Biden

Donate to the Obama Biden Campaign Now!

2008 Post Election Survey

We are moving into post election mode and want to help to direct Americans overseas to the Overseas Vote Foundation ("OVF") 2008 Post Election Survey. This is OVF's third post general election survey and a very important one. The survey is all about overseas and military voting and determining where problems persist. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey and post the link to the survey on your site and/or pass the link around. Here's the link:

http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB228FNQBASX9

2008 U.S. Presidential Election

The Presidential Debates: The schedule of and resources for the 2008 U.S. Presidential Debates.

U.S. Congress' Americans Abroad Caucus

In February 2007, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) formed the "Americans Abroad Caucus" to focus on issues impacting American citizens living and working abroad.

Please support the effort and ask your Representative and Senators to join!

Support the Americans Abroad Caucus: Write to your Representative and Senators and ask them to join the effort.

Champions for Americans Abroad

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney: Co-Chair of House of Representatives Americans Abroad Caucus
Congressman Joe Wilson: Co-Chair of House of Representatives Americans Abroad Caucus
Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide (AAFSW).: Community resource for U.S. diplomatic families. A private, non-profit organization advocating for U.S. Foreign Service officers, spouses, and other family members. Information for State Department families about life overseas, spouse employment, unaccompanied tours, and living in Washington DC. Updated news about the American diplomatic community.
FAWCO - U.S. Liaison: The Federation of American Women's Clubs Overseas, Inc. ("FAWCO") is an international organization of more than 75 member clubs and associations with a combined membership of approximately 18,000 in 35 countries. FAWCO's U.S. Liaison promotes the rights of U.S. citizens living abroad, dealing with problems they encounter, helping them to be informed and responsible citizens.
Beyond Borders: "Beyond Borders: Portraits of American Women from around the World celebrates seemingly ordinary American women living abroad, who have assimilated into the culture of their host nations and achieved something meaningful in their chosen path... In the present environment of international discontent with the US, these women shed light on the positive side of the American spirit and culture."
Inside a U.S. Embassy: THE book on "How the Foreign Service Works for America". A helpful guide for anyone who may come into contact with U.S. embassy personnel overseas, true champions for Americans abroad, and for anyone interested in America's role in the world.

Overseas Americans Week

A Week in Washington, DC

Overseas Americans Week - A Week In Washington DC: An annual program that embodies the commitment of overseas Americans organizations to maintaining an ongoing and current dialogue with legislators and agencies who directly affect the lives of Americans living abroad.
Mr. Coyne Goes to Washington: The Association of Americans Resident Overseas (AARO) is hosting "Mr. Coyne Goes to Washington" this week to blog Overseas Americans Week (OAW) 2008 between now and its conclusion on April 18, 2008. OAW is the annual lobbying visit to Washington by AARO, American Citizens Abroad (ACA) and the Federation of American Women's Clubs Overseas (FAWCO).

Burning Questions

Harnessing the power of Americans abroad - Way Beyond the Beltway: How should the United States government utilize this invaluable community and engage it continuous dialog so that we might act and interact more effectively in our respective host countries, i.e. with the respective governments, interest groups, organizations, and individuals, and thereby enhance America's world standing and trade opportunities while modeling American ideals?

White House - 2008

2008 Presidential Candidates - WSJ.com: The 2008 race for the White House is heating up. A look at who's in the race, who's out and who's somewhere in the middle for 2008.
Pumpkin Presidents?: The DesMoines Register is offering free pumpkin-carving templates depicting some of the leading 2008 Presidential candidates.

Voting from Abroad

Registration, Abenstee Ballots and Information about Candidates and Issues

How to vote in U.S. elections: The Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions the Overseas Vote Foundation receives from voters.
Overseas Vote Foundation: OVF provides secure, non-partisan Internet-based voter registration services and support for U.S. overseas and military voters.
Project Vote Smart - American Government, Elections, Candidates and Voting: A collaborative project of thousands of citizens (conservative and liberal) working together, researching the backgrounds and records of political candidates and elected officials to discover their voting records, campaign contributions, public statements, biographical data and evaluations of them generated by over 100 competing special interest groups.
canivote.org: If you don't know where to go to cast your ballot on Election Day, or... If you're not sure if you are registered to vote in your home state...
You can find out here.
VOTE411.org: All the election information you need from the League of Women Voters
One in 5 overseas Americans unable to vote in elections - International Herald Tribune: One in five Americans overseas who sought to vote in the midterm elections in November was unable to do so, often because the ballot arrived late, or not at all, according to a survey.
RULES OF THE GAME: Enfranchising Overseas Voters: National Journal sums up the the obstacles to voting from abroad, the solutions being offered by the Overseas Vote Foundation, and legislative efforts to craft a uniform approach to overseas voting.
Operation Bravo: The Operation BRAVO Foundation exists to help disenfranchised U.S. overseas civilian and military voters effectively exercise their right to reliably cast a secure and private ballot.
Overseas Vote Foundation's YouTube Channel: Overseas Vote Foundation has posted video from the Second Annual UOCAVA Summit on its YouTube channel. You can see most of the speeches and remarks here. http://www.youtube.com/user/OverseasVote

Express Your Vote - FedEx your Ballot Home in Time

All overseas voters should know about the Express Your Vote ballot return program which is underway now. The program is provided by Overseas Vote Foundation and supported by FedEx in 89 countries. It was well researched with all states prior to launch, and voters can see on the front page www.overseasvotefoundation.org/expressyourvote the list of states that are participating is extensive. (The only state that does not accept express mail ballots is Alabama.)

With Express Your Vote, voters are instructed to staple one copy of the Air Waybill to the ballot envelope - it functions as the postmark. This is known and accepted by all participating states. The program offers highly-discounted rates from Canada, Latin American, Europe and the Middle East. Free shipping is available from 14 Asian countries, Australia and New Zealand.

These services at these rates, including in many countries, at-your-doorstep-pick-up are not usually available to individuals overseas.

Voters can track their ballots through Express Your Vote and will receive an automatic confirmation of delivery.

Please note: It is very important that all overseas Americans groups support and communicate about Express Your Vote to their member voters. Interest and use of the program will send a very strong message to all express courier companies that this is a good thing to do - to support U.S. overseas voters! Lack of use will send the message that is not needed or appreciated and will affect future willingness on the part of FedEx and other courier companies to invest in similar actions in future elections.

Way Beyond the Beltway

A blog for and about Americans abroad

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U.S. Government and Public Policy

Useful U.S. government sites as well as sites and organizations working to shape public policy -- particularly policies which impact Americans living overseas.

Share your knowledge. Make a difference.

Americans Abroad

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