Americans in London were urged on Tuesday to cast their ballots in the US midterm elections, a contest that could limit the power of President Donald Trump. John Scardino of Democrats Abroad UK said there was still time for US citizens to vote in some states in the closely fought election.
Speaking to the London Standard, Mr Scardino explained that ballots could be returned to the US by email, fax, courier or other fast-track systems, depending on the state. “Voting is run by all 50 different states and when you're overseas you vote based on where you last lived in the US,” he said, noting that Oregon may have a different system and balloting process than New York State or Florida.
How Americans abroad can vote
Mr Scardino pointed to a non-partisan portal, votefromabroad.org, where voters can enter the state they vote from and be guided through the process. With the stakes high, he noted that some voters have sent postal ballots by private courier, such as Federal Express or DHL, to ensure they arrive in time. “Most places I believe will still count a ballot as long as it is postmarked by election day,” he added.
Millions of US voters were heading to the polls in the midterms, which will decide control of Congress for the rest of Trump's term. The November 3 races are widely seen as a referendum on the president's record, and the elections are the most expensive in US history.
Control of Congress at stake
The Democrats are tipped to retake the House of Representatives from the Republicans, while the fight for the Senate remains close. The challengers are expected to benefit from voter discontent over the cost of living and high energy prices fuelled by Trump's Iran war.
The president has held rallies in traditional Republican strongholds to shore up support and boost turnout, and promised every adult US citizen $5,000 if his party kept control of both chambers. The Democrats have faced internal divisions, underlined by a fallout in the Michigan Senate race, and the president has sought to portray them as hard-Left extremists.
Potential consequences and pardons
If the Democrats gained one or both chambers, they would be able to block legislation and launch investigations into the conduct of Trump's White House. However, the president would retain executive authority in key areas and the power of veto, which could frustrate his opponents' efforts.
Trump has said he would not hesitate to give pardons to those around him to protect them from potential criminal liability. He told a New York Post podcast: “I would if I needed to, sure.” He pointed to amnesties granted by former president Joe Biden to family members, administration officials and politicians, including those who investigated the January 6 attack on the US Capitol in 2021. Republicans Overseas UK have been contacted for comment.
