Americans Abroad

U.S. Congress' Americans Abroad Caucus 

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?

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

State Voter Registration Verification Websites

The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP)has complied links to the states and territories that allow you to check your voter registration status online.

Counting Americans Abroad 

Americans Overseas in U.S. Censuses

This report documents the treatment of Americans living overseas in the decennial censuses, particularly those conducted in the 20th century.

Debate 

Meanwhile: Who lives better? - International Herald Tribune

A thoughtful and humorous OpEd on whether life is better in America or Italy...

No taxation without representation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"No taxation without representation" was a slogan in the period 1763-1775 that summarized a primary grievance of the American colonists in the Thirteen colonies. Today it's used by Washington, D.C. as part of the campaign for a vote in Congress. The phrase also appears on D.C. license plates. Should Americans abroad adopt this slogan?

Resources 

Expat Focus

News Information and Community for Expats

Interexpat, your local expatriate community

Interexpat, your local expatriate community

Congress.org

E-mail, call or write the President, Congress or state and local government based on your ZIP code. Find groups' Take Action alerts or create your own.

Registration with the Department of State 

Register with the U.S. State Department

A free service provided by the U.S. Government to U.S. citizens who are traveling to, or living in, a foreign country. Registration allows you to record information about your residence or trip abroad that the Department of State can use to assist you in case of an emergency. Americans residing abroad can also get routine information from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Help 

American Domestic Violence Crisis Line

A national non-profit organization with an international outreach that gives hope and provides resources to abused American women and children living overseas. Our goal is to empower these women by helping them make independent decisions to take whatever

The Sunlight Foundation

The Sunlight Foundation's goal is to use technology to enable citizens to learn more about what their elected representatives are doing, to help reduce corruption, ensure greater transparency and accountability by government, and foster public trust in the vital institutions of democracy.

Official Tourism Site of Washington, DC

Official visitor information for Washington, DC

GovTrack.us: Tracking the U.S. Congress

Track the issues in the United States Congress that interest you; with email updates and RSS feeds. Research legislation, voting records, etc.; Find your representative.

The Green Papers: United States General Election 2008

Facts, figures, and tidbits about the General Election, Primaries, Caucuses, Delegate selection plan, State and National Political Conventions, and Candidates.

Tips 

Tips for Americans Abroad

The Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs publication for Americans considering residence abroad as well as for the millions of U.S. citizens
who are currently residing in a foreign country.

Meteoalarm

Extreme weather alerts for Europe

Americans Traveling Abroad

The State Department's guide for traveling abroad including a link to "Foreign Entry Requirements".

Country Specific Sites 

AARO Prague - Current Events

Founded in 1973, AARO's purpose is to secure, protect, and improve basic American rights for U.S. citizens overseas. The Prague chapter was started in 1992 soon after he Velvet Revolution and the end of communism. We are a not-for-profit, non-partisan, public service group with members active in industry, government service, education, law, the arts as well as retired persons.

Expats in Sweden

This lens is for fellow expatriates in Sweden, and for those interested in Sweden.

The American Club of Sweden

The Club's objective is to strengthen bonds between the United States and Sweden through networking, and the interchange of knowledge, customs and ideals. It plays an important role as an informal point of contact between various elements of the Swedish-American community, and provides frequent opportunities for interaction through its varied social programs.

SIRAP - Stockholm International Researchers Association

Democrats Abroad Sweden - Voting is easy

News 

Americans go abroad for new reality show

"ABC is teaming with the Hell's Kitchen producer for a new unscripted show that has Americans head to foreign countries to compete in challenges that require them to adapt to a different culture. The show has been circulating under the title Big in Japan, though that might change as producers are considering other countries as well. ABC has given a series order for an unspecified number of episodes. (Hollywood Reporter)"

Blogs 

ThinkProgress

An excellent blog from the Center for American Progress Action Fund which "seeks to provide a forum that advances progressive ideas and policies."