pixabay

It’s Election Year: The Global Primary

By Emma Sibbald 3 years ago

Emma reports on reregistering to vote overseas and shares her experience with the process as a dual citizen

Americans, it’s election year! How, where, when and why do I vote, when I live in a rural seaside town in Eastern Scotland an hour away from the nearest airport? It’s easy to feel disconnected, especially when overseas ballots are confusingly long and sometimes require you to use a fax machine. I am technically a dual national, but culturally, I’m very English. Until very recently, I pronounced ‘Yosemite’ to rhyme with ‘Marmite’. I know little about the American voting system in action and I have never lived in the States, but the necessity of voting is vehemently clear to me and I wanted to exercise my right to vote in the primaries and in the general election. The impact of American politics globally is obvious, especially for the UK as it endures its own complications, and although I am not the most American of Americans, I want to make myself heard. Democrats Overseas holds voter drives, provides registration technology, drinks and reminders, so I went along to Main Bar to attempt to register.

pixabay

I turned 18 in 2016, which was exciting in the UK because I could drink, vote, and pay full fare on the Tube. In the US, it was election year, and I couldn’t drink, which felt very unfair given the result of that election, but I could vote. But voting from abroad in the States is a total nightmare for someone unfamiliar with the system, especially as I attempted to register through a convoluted county website. The ballot that was sent to me was baffling, and I think I might have accidentally voted for prohibition? (To the inhabitants of Waynesville, NC, I am deeply sorry if I contributed in any way to the loss of your alcohol.) I was never even sure if my vote was received, and I remember the entire experience felt disheartening.

pixabay

With Democrats Overseas, it was a very different experience. You are walked through a 15 minute process, based entirely online, with knowledgeable helpers who understand the intricacies of the electoral systems in different states. The website itself is built to accommodate expats; I entered my date of birth the English way, date then month, and the website reminded me to check, which saved me a lot of hassle. It can be so complicated to navigate murky electoral waters without residing in the country, but everything was sorted out so easily and I could register with a party simultaneously, allowing me to vote in the Democratic Global Primary being held in St Andrews. The primary will be held in the Union on ‘Super Tuesday’, March 3, 2020, and you can vote in person as if you’re in the US. I don’t feel comfortable voting in state primaries, I’m not knowledgeable about specific local issues, but the Global Primary is exciting as it represents my interests as an American abroad.

pixabay

If you are a properly domiciled American citizen, this process is even easier, and the vital necessity of voting even when far away still stands, especially at such a turbulent time. It is important to mention that the tools used are fundamentally non-partisan. Voters can be registered from anywhere, for any party, and you can sign up online or in person. This might be the first Presidential election you will have been eligible to vote in, and it is so exciting to be able to participate in something so crucial. If I can do it, so can you. They even give you a sticker at the end.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

comments

Tags: , , , ,

357 thoughts on “It’s Election Year: The Global Primary”

  3. Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this board and I find It truly useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and help others like you aided me.|

    Reply

  22. Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to assert that I acquire actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I will be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.|

    Reply

  24. My brother recommended I would possibly like this web site. He used to be entirely right. This post truly made my day. You cann’t believe just how so much time I had spent for this information! Thank you!|

    Reply

  25. Today, while I was at work, my sister stole my iphone and tested to see if it can survive a 40 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now destroyed and she has 83 views. I know this is totally off topic but I had to share it with someone!|

    Reply

  27. تور مشهد با قطار
    تور مشهد
    تور مشهد هوایی
    تور مشهد ۳شب
    تور مشهد با قطار از تهران
    تور مشهد ارزان با قطار
    تور مشهد هوایی ارزان
    تور مشهد ارزان
    تور هوایی مشهد
    تورمشهد
    تور مشهد با هواپیما
    قیمت تور مشهد با قطار
    تور لحظه آخری مشهد
    قیمت تور مشهد هوایی از تهران

    Reply

  29. Hi there, I discovered your web site by way of Google at the same time as looking for a similar matter, your site came up, it appears great. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

    Reply

  30. Attractive component to content. I simply stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to claim that I get in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I’ll be subscribing for your feeds and even I fulfillment you get entry to consistently fast.|

    Reply

  34. I do believe all the ideas you have presented for your post. They are really convincing and will definitely work. Still, the posts are too brief for newbies. May you please prolong them a bit from subsequent time? Thank you for the post.|

    Reply

  38. I’m curious to find out what blog platform you are using? I’m having some small security problems with my latest website and I’d like to find something more secure. Do you have any solutions?|

    Reply

  39. I blog frequently and I seriously appreciate your content. This article has really peaked my interest. I will bookmark your site and keep checking for new information about once a week. I opted in for your Feed too.|

    Reply

  41. Have you ever considered about adding a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is valuable and all. But just imagine if you added some great photos or video clips to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with images and video clips, this blog could definitely be one of the best in its niche. Amazing blog!|

    Reply

  42. hey there and thank you for your info – I have definitely picked up anything new from right here. I did however expertise several technical points using this site, as I experienced to reload the web site lots of times previous to I could get it to load correctly. I had been wondering if your hosting is OK? Not that I’m complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will very frequently affect your placement in google and can damage your high quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords. Well I am adding this RSS to my email and could look out for much more of your respective fascinating content. Make sure you update this again very soon.|

    Reply

  45. Thank you for another informative site. The place else may I get that kind of information written in such a perfect means? I’ve a challenge that I’m simply now running on, and I have been at the look out for such information.|

    Reply

  46. Good day! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and say I truly enjoy reading your articles. Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that deal with the same subjects? Many thanks!|

    Reply

  49. Superb blog you have here but I was curious about if you knew of any forums that cover the same topics discussed in this article? I’d really like to be a part of online community where I can get comments from other experienced people that share the same interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Kudos!|

    Reply

  50. I was curious if you ever thought of changing the structure of your blog? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or two images. Maybe you could space it out better?|

    Reply

  51. Hi this is kind of of off topic but I was wanting to know if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding know-how so I wanted to get advice from someone with experience. Any help would be enormously appreciated!|

    Reply

  54. Does your website have a contact page? I’m having problems locating it but, I’d like to shoot you an e-mail. I’ve got some recommendations for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great site and I look forward to seeing it improve over time.|

    Reply

  55. Nice post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am impressed! Very useful information specially the last part 🙂 I care for such information much. I was looking for this certain info for a very long time. Thank you and best of luck.|

    Reply

  57. Hey there would you mind letting me know which webhost you’re working with? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most. Can you suggest a good internet hosting provider at a fair price? Many thanks, I appreciate it!|

    Reply

  58. This is a great tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere. Simple but very accurate information… Many thanks for sharing this one. A must read post!|

    Reply

  74. I’m really loving the theme/design of your blog. Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility problems? A couple of my blog visitors have complained about my blog not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Firefox. Do you have any ideas to help fix this problem?|

    Reply

  75. First off I would like to say awesome blog! I had a quick question which I’d like to ask if you don’t mind. I was curious to know how you center yourself and clear your head prior to writing. I’ve had a hard time clearing my thoughts in getting my ideas out. I truly do enjoy writing however it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes tend to be wasted just trying to figure out how to begin. Any ideas or hints? Thank you!|

    Reply

  76. Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a very well written article. I will make sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I will definitely return.|

    Reply

  77. Hi there! I realize this is kind of off-topic but I needed to ask. Does managing a well-established website like yours take a massive amount work? I’m brand new to blogging however I do write in my journal everyday. I’d like to start a blog so I can share my experience and views online. Please let me know if you have any suggestions or tips for brand new aspiring blog owners. Thankyou!|

    Reply

  78. Somebody essentially help to make seriously articles I’d state. That is the very first time I frequented your website page and to this point? I surprised with the analysis you made to create this actual post extraordinary. Magnificent process!|

    Reply

  92. We’re a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your web site provided us with useful information to work on. You’ve performed a formidable process and our whole community might be grateful to you.|

    Reply

  100. Nice post. I learn something new and challenging on websites I stumbleupon everyday. It’s always useful to read content from other authors and practice a little something from other web sites. |

    Reply

  102. After exploring a handful of the blog posts on your web page, I honestly like your way of blogging. I saved it to my bookmark webpage list and will be checking back in the near future. Please visit my website as well and tell me what you think.|

    Reply

  104. When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get three e-mails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Appreciate it!|

    Reply

  110. We absolutely love your blog and find nearly all of your post’s to be precisely what I’m looking for. Does one offer guest writers to write content in your case? I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on a number of the subjects you write regarding here. Again, awesome site!|

    Reply

  112. Its like you learn my mind! You seem to grasp a lot approximately this, like you wrote the guide in it or something. I believe that you simply can do with some percent to pressure the message home a bit, however other than that, this is magnificent blog. A fantastic read. I’ll definitely be back.|

    Reply

  113. Unquestionably believe that which you stated. Your favorite reason seemed to be on the internet the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get irked while people think about worries that they plainly don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top as well as defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people could take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks|

    Reply

  114. Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is fundamental and everything. However just imagine if you added some great pictures or videos to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with images and videos, this blog could certainly be one of the most beneficial in its field. Superb blog!|

    Reply
  116. Pingback: revatio

  118. daftar link judi slot gacor deposit via Bank BRI 24 jam nonstop – Tetapi sebelum bossku melakukan transfer bossque dapat menanyakan angka tujuan transfer pada CS website kami yang profesional dan selalu on-line 24jam tanpa istirahat. Perhatikan juga jumlah pulsa bossque serta pastikan cukup sesuai dengan nominal yang kamu ingin isikan pada saldo account game bossku. Butuh menjadi catatan bagi bossku kalau pulsa yang ditransferkan bakal dikenakan biaya cas sebesar 20. Seperti contoh bila bossque mentransfer sebesar 50.000 rupiah. Maka yang akan terisi di saldo akun permainan bossque ialah 40rb saja. Sehingga pastikan anda berhitung dengan cermat agar tidak salah transfer nominal yg tidak sesuai dengan minimal setoran kita.

    Reply

  120. whoah this blog is excellent i like studying your posts. Stay up the great work! You recognize, lots of people are hunting around for this info, you can aid them greatly. |

    Reply

  121. You really make it appear so easy together with your presentation but I find this topic to be actually one thing which I feel I might by no means understand. It kind of feels too complex and very vast for me. I am taking a look forward for your subsequent post, I will attempt to get the hold of it!|

    Reply

  122. Thank you, I have recently been looking for info about this subject for a long time and yours is the greatest I’ve discovered so far. However, what concerning the bottom line? Are you positive about the source?|

    Reply

  124. When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get several emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Thank you!|

    Reply

  125. When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Bless you!|

    Reply

  126. Hi there! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a team of volunteers and starting a new project in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us useful information to work on. You have done a extraordinary job!|

    Reply

  128. It’s actually a cool and useful piece of info. I’m satisfied that you just shared this useful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.|

    Reply

  129. Hello there! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this site? I’m getting tired of WordPress because I’ve had problems with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform. I would be fantastic if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.|

    Reply

  135. A motivating discussion is worth comment. I do believe that you need to write more about this topic, it may not be a taboo matter but usually people do not talk about such issues. To the next! Kind regards!!|

    Reply

  138. Hi there! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and tell you I really enjoy reading through your articles. Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that cover the same subjects? Thanks!|

    Reply

  158. An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto
    a co-worker who has been doing a little homework on this.

    And he in fact bought me lunch simply because I found it for him…

    lol. So let me reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending time to discuss this matter here on your web site.

    Reply

  188. S4 works similarly to S3, however is extra formal. It simply means when you use real, genuine scarcity, it really works even better.

    You may even set up person detection and particular movement zones
    to observe.

    my web blog: Mittie

    Reply

  261. Thanks on your marvelous posting! I really enjoyed reading it, you happen to be a great author.
    I will be sure to bookmark your blog and definitely will
    come back from now on. I want to encourage yourself to continue your great writing, have
    a nice day!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

THE STAND