Votar como expatriado
Si bien es debatible si el voto popular realmente cuenta hoy en día en Estados Unidos, odiaríamos descubrir que sí en una elección tan importante, y no haber votado.
Muchos de ustedes que leen este sitio web son estadounidenses. Y muchos están viviendo fuera de Estados Unidos. ¡Pero todavía pueden votar! Aquí tienen todo lo que necesitan saber para hacerlo.
Primero que nada, ¿dónde contará tu voto? Contará en el último estado en el que residiste antes de mudarte aquí (si no tienes propiedad en Estados Unidos) o en el estado donde tengas una residencia oficial. Debido a que Estados Unidos vota a través de delegados, y el conteo del voto popular NO determina al siguiente presidente del país, ¡dónde cuenta tu voto, cuenta!
¿Cómo se vota? Debes votar usando una boleta de voto ausente (Absentee Ballot). Y este sitio web nos parece la manera más fácil de obtenerla que hemos encontrado:
VoteFromAbroad.org/1
Este sitio web está patrocinado por Democrats Abroad y te guía en cinco pasos sencillos
para registrarte para votar en Estados Unidos, sin importar tu afiliación política (Demócrata, Republicano, Independiente... ni modo). El proceso te da la opción de que te envíen el formulario por correo electrónico, fax o que lo imprimas en tu computadora. Una vez firmado, debes enviarlo por correo a la oficina correspondiente (ellos te darán la dirección). Y recibirás tu boleta de voto ausente poco después (se supone). La última pantalla también te da la opción de unirte a Democrats Abroad (no es obligatorio) y de marcar si estás fuera del país Temporalmente o Indefinidamente. Se te advierte que si marcas "Temporalmente", te enviarán información para votar en tu estado, pero también serás responsable de pagar impuestos estatales sobre la renta.
En caso de que quieras un sitio web menos partidista, aquí está el sitio del gobierno para quienes votan desde el extranjero:
www.fvap.gov
Algunos pros y contras
Entonces, ¿hay alguna ventaja de ser expatriado en el proceso de votar? ¿O es un problema? Un expatriado en Londres armó esta lista, que creemos lo dice todo:
Lo mejor de ser un votante expatriado:
- Nunca tengo que hacer fila. Mi boleta llega a mi casa, la lleno y la devuelvo.
- Definitivamente tengo que votar anticipadamente, lo cual significa que no habrá nada que me impida votar el día de la elección.
- Tengo mucho tiempo para reflexionar sobre mi boleta en la privacidad de mi casa.
- ¡Hay un registro en papel de mi voto!
Lo no tan bueno de ser un votante expatriado:
- Tienes que pagar para enviar tu voto. O puedes llevarlo al consulado y ellos lo enviarán por ti… si confías en que lo harán.
- No hay emoción en la víspera del día de la elección.
- Basado en las últimas dos elecciones, a pesar de que hay un registro en papel de mi voto, es poco probable que los funcionarios electorales realmente lo cuenten.
¿Que no eres ciudadano estadounidense?
Tal vez estés leyendo esto y no seas ciudadano estadounidense (aunque por qué habrías leído hasta aquí es un misterio para nosotros, pero en fin…). Aun así puedes hacer oír tu voz a través de este sitio web Vote For President, donde todo el mundo puede votar. Puedes ver cómo votan diferentes países, lo cual es bastante interesante. Por si te lo preguntas, al momento de escribir esto, el 89% de los mexicanos que votaron en ese sitio eligieron a Barack Obama.
Hablando de Barack Obama
Nos pareció interesante que los demócratas realizaron una primaria para Democrats Abroad y enviaron 22 delegados con medio voto cada uno a la reciente Convención Nacional Demócrata en Denver. Eso significa que la organización Democrats Abroad tuvo más peso en la nominación de un candidato que, por ejemplo, Guam. Y bien merecido, porque se estima que hay entre seis y nueve millones de estadounidenses con pasaporte viviendo fuera de las fronteras de Estados Unidos. (Para saber más sobre la delegación de Democrats Abroad en la Convención Nacional Demócrata, lee este comunicado de prensa). Se estima que los expatriados en México conforman 3 millones de esos estadounidenses con pasaporte fuera de Estados Unidos, así que hay mucho trabajo que hacer para registrar a todos esos estadounidenses para votar. Hoy hablamos con Nicholas Moreno, director regional en México de Americans Abroad for Obama. Él está buscando personas que ayuden aquí en Mérida. Vamos a hacer todo lo posible por ayudar, pero como saben, somos los Working Gringos. Nos preguntamos si tal vez algunos de los Retired Gringos no tengan más tiempo para estas actividades. Si quieres ayudar (y con ayudar nos referimos a organizar jornadas de registro, hacer fiestas para ver los debates, ese tipo de cosas), por favor contacta a Nicholas:
Nicholas Moreno
Correo electrónico: morenon@dnc.org
Teléfono en EE.UU.: 1-816-875-4630
Por cierto, ya estamos esperando esas fiestas para ver los debates. Probablemente sea mucho más divertido verlos en grupo. Los debates presidenciales están programados actualmente para el 26 de septiembre, el 7 de octubre y el 12 de octubre. Habrá un debate vicepresidencial el 2 de octubre.
Solo vota
Recientemente recibimos un correo contando la historia de un grupo de mujeres sufragistas que protestaron frente a la Casa Blanca exigiendo el derecho al voto y que sufrieron mucho en su lucha para obtener el derecho al voto para las mujeres en Estados Unidos. Y sin duda, la presencia de Barack Obama en el escenario de la Convención Demócrata nos recordó las batallas que se libraron para obtener igualdad de derechos para los afroamericanos. Nos preocupa el proceso de conteo de votos, las máquinas de votación, el fraude electoral y mucho más... y nos damos cuenta de que no estamos solos. pero aun así creemos que es importante votar. Si todos lo hacemos, bueno… tal vez haya un cambio en el que podamos creer.
Comments
Working Gringos 17 years ago
It pains us to do this, but this article is now closed to comments. We have received too many comments that we did not feel comfortable approving. We would like to keep Yucatan Living as inclusive as possible, while being free of rancor or negativity.
Thank you for understanding.
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Mike 17 years ago
My problem with Obama (other than the fact that i totally disagree with his worn-out socialist narrative along with the naive notion that he can play pattycakes with Islamic terrorists and expect them to "play nice") is his plan to raise taxes. There are rumors that his plan would include the elimination of tax exemptions on portions of foreign earned income. That could have a huge financial impact on on "working gringos" including democrats.
Oh yes Vanessa! Lot's of Republicans here!!
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Lynn de Bruyn 17 years ago
Yes, Bravo Ellen!
If I were an American (I'm British) I would certainly vote for Obama. Although I too, am wary of US voting system. I feel that, apart from his traditional qualifications, his upbringing has afforded him a more worldly education. I believe that in today's world, we need to be unified in order to care for the environment and those in need of our help.
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dixieboy 17 years ago
It is clear that no method of communication is immune from political rumblings. As a Proud American and former defender of the Constitution and Nation, I stand amazed this election cycle to see all the "stuff" being slung and untruths passed about as fact...on both sides. I support neither side and suppose I need to start deciding which is the lesser of evils. I'm not sure there is a clothespin strong enough to put on my nose when I go to vote to keep from smelling the stench of ugly politics.
As I stated above, I am a former defender of the Constitution and Nation, read that "former military". I and hundreds of thousands have fought, some giving the ultimate, for this great nation. In defending this nation and the constitution, freedom of speech is one of the many things unique to America. Everyone has the freedom to espouse their views, regardless of who likes them and who doesn't. To enact anything that curtails this freedom of speech at the federal level, is nothing short of censorship. Read that as the beginning of government control of thought and speech, also read that as Socialist policy, for example, the old USSR. The misnamed "Fairness Doctrine" should remain exactly where it is...in the trash for the reasons I've stated. It is certainly unfortunate that the mainstream media is so polarized, but the enactment of censorship is even worse. It would be wonderful if the media would actually discuss fact, not conjecture and outright untruths.
But regardless of your party connections, the right to vote is extremely important and one should not cast a vote without thought. I applaud all of you who take the time to get your absentee ballots and send them back. It is a part of a FREE nation!
I know there are those of you out there who will have much to say about my comment, probably not much of it pretty, but the fact you are able to say those things without the government coming and knocking on your door, taking you off to jail is courtesy of those who have given their total being to preserve those freedoms!
Enjoy YOUR freedoms! Go VOTE!
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Louise Vogel 17 years ago
There is a non partisan organization that is dedicated to giving very complete and clear instruction for voting.
www.overseasvotefoundation.org
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Vanessa 17 years ago
i meant to say oh man!
not oh mean.
heh
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Vanessa 17 years ago
oh mean, so that means there are Republican gringos in merida!
dang!
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CasiYucateco 17 years ago
Just a note to any who misunderstood given the way "mexicano" comments about political involvement: Visa holders are prohibited from interfering in Mexican politics in any way - participating in marches, donating money, public speeches, organizing or anything else. Not in local, state or national elections. Zip, nil, nada: Zero foreign participation in Mexican politics. That is the law.
Notice, though, that it is **Mexican politics**, not other nations' politics. Mexican visa requirements do not force visa holders to surrender all interest in their home countries. They are free to participate to their hearts' desire in their home politics and elections.
Those visiting privately-owned websites with the assumption that each website must provide a perfectly balanced view of all elections may be somewhat delusional. The "Fairness Doctrine" was thrown out during the Reagan years; the loss of that Doctrine is what allowed people like Rush Limbaugh to even become possible.
The "Fairness Doctrine" (once) applied to the public airwaves, not privately-owned websites which people seek as a destination. So, the accusations thrown are somewhat off-base, that is, based on an invalid concept of how and why things actually work the way they do.
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Peregrina 17 years ago
Well said Ellen, bravo, I have the choice to vote for whom ever I want, some might not agreed with my choice but that's okay, that is the reason of why we are "under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all"...
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Carol Judd 17 years ago
We are still living in the States but if we were in Merida, we would be sending in our ballot. As long as I can vote and am a citizen, I will do whatever to cast my ballot since, living in or out of the States, we are all affected by the outcome.
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Ellen Fields 17 years ago
Hola, Mexicano...
You're right... in this article, I mentioned Democrats more. And I give the details of how to reach the Democratic representative in Mexico, because he called me and gave me that information. I have had no such contact from the Republicans Abroad (here's their website: Republicans Abroad). And no, it's not a mystery who I am supporting for President this November.
I'm concerned about "voter rigging"... how could I not be, given the last two Presidential elections? I work in technology... I've read a lot about the voting machines and I know they are not secure. You can read about it here and here and many other places. So yes, I'm concerned.
There are problems with both sides... I'll be the first to tell you that I am wary of all political figures, and am of the philosophy that in order to get to that level in politics, a person usually has to sell their soul. But given the choice, I feel Obama will be a better leader and will lead the country (and the world) in a saner direction. He also has a better chance of being in good health throughout his term and having the fortitude to work as hard as Presidents should work.
Because, you see, as a world citizen, I am more concerned about the state of the world and the health of the planet than the happiness of Americans. I feel that the candidate I support has a better chance of achieving world peace through diplomatic negotiations with other countries. I know that John McCain thinks he can win the war in Iraq and more wars like it, but I don't want more war. I don't want my tax dollars paying for war. I think my candidate is more likely to slow down the rush to drill in Alaska and might actually appoint someone to positions of power that actually cares about wildlife, forests, oceans... and realizes they aren't infinite.
In voting for Barack Obama, I am trying to make the best possible choice, with the realization that nobody (and nothing in this world) is perfect. I'm hoping and praying for our planet's sake that most Americans see it somewhat the same way that I do.
All that said, I certainly respect yours (and all our other readers') opinions and decisions, even if they don't agree with me. What I don't respect (and won't approve as a comment) is any mudslinging or name calling.
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