Americans living in the UK should request their US ballots and vote, according to John Scardino, former vice-chair of Democrats Abroad UK. In a letter responding to a recent article by Kathryn Sikkink, Scardino says it is easier than they may think and highlights several compelling reasons to vote.
Resources for US voters abroad
Scardino points to votefromabroad.org, a nonpartisan website launched 20 years ago that never keeps voter data and provides 24/7 voter assistance in person across 50 countries, or via Zoom or email. Depending on the state where voters last lived, they may be able to receive and return their ballot electronically.
Control of Congress at stake
Control of Congress is at stake, Scardino notes. Republicans currently hold a razor-thin majority in the House of Representatives, 218 to 214, with many seats determined by just a few hundred votes. He contrasts this with the 298,268 voting-age US citizens in the UK referenced by Sikkink.
Congress writes the laws and decides spending, and it investigates corruption, abuse and mismanagement in government. Even if Democrats regain only the House, they would have the power to stop some of the self-dealing and destruction of basic services, Scardino argues.
Impact on Americans abroad
Decisions made in Washington affect Americans abroad, their families and their communities, and their votes help determine who makes those decisions.
