Even people who used to sit on the sidelines are becoming very interested in the November election. Here in Paris, the Democrats Abroad have had a steady stream of guest speakers and tonights discussion on foreign policy has been sold out for over a week. We're all hoping that our vote will actually be counted this year, even though we are not military voters overseas. A French friend who lives in Athens recently told me that French expats actually have elected MPs who answer to the overseas voters. Who knows if the US would ever do that considering the fact that Washington, DC voters are still locked out of fair representation. Anyway, fingers crossed that our votes will count this year!
"With an estimated 3 million U.S. citizens of voting age living overseas, "We're like the 51st state," said Katie Solon, a Colorado Springs, Colo., native and Democrats Abroad volunteer in Austria. "We're riding a wave of renewed interest."
Strong anti-American sentiment overseas is driving U.S. citizens to register to vote, and both Democrats and Republicans could benefit. On the GOP side, a backlash against the anti-Bush fervor has attracted Republicans, while dismay over Bush's stewardship is getting Democrats who haven't voted for more than 30 years." - AP
