With hugely consequential elections taking place in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, there has never been a more important time to stand up for our voting rights, and protect our votes and ourselves in the process.

If we are to have safe, healthy, and fair elections this year, Americans at home must make widespread use of mail ballots, while Americans abroad must have the ability to return their ballots securely via email or web portal.

Many countries outside of the US have suspended postal delivery or have long delays in postal mail delivery.  Requiring American voters abroad to pay for expensive courier services to vote, or travel to embassies not only suppresses votes but creates a poll tax on voter participation. 

What can we do?

Contact your member of Congress and senators, to speak out on these issues.

Go here to find your Member of Congress and senators' information: https://www.democratsabroad.org/congressional_call_storm
Check here to find the voting rules of your state: https://www.votefromabroad.org/states 

If your state DOES NOT allow emailed ballot returns, call your representative and senators using the following script: 

Hi, my name is ____, and I’m a constituent of [Title and name]. 

I’m calling to ask that they support email or web portal ballot return options for Americans voting from abroad.

Email and web portal ballot return provides a paper trail as voters return their marked ballot and there’s no risk that the ballot will be delayed or lost in the international mail system. 26 states successfully use email or web portal ballot returns for Citizens abroad but the state of ____, doesn’t. This makes it harder for me to cast my ballot, especially now as many countries outside of the US have suspended or curtailed postal mail and the expense of courier services may be required. 

Requiring postal ballot returns puts my health at risk since it makes it impossible for me to keep to the social distancing and stay at home measures by requiring travelling to and standing in lines at post offices and US embassies. 

There are over 5 million US citizens living (and potentially voting) from abroad and our votes are proven to make the margin of difference time and again. 

Please support our right to vote easily, fairly and safely by working to expand email or web portal ballot return options for Americans voting from abroad in the state of ____.

Many thanks for all that you do.

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If your state DOES allow emailed ballot returns, call your representative and senators using the following script: 

Hi, my name is ____, and I’m a constituent of [Title and name]. 

I’m calling to thank them for continuing to support and prioritise email or web portal ballot return options for American citizens voting from abroad in the state of ____.

The Help America Vote Act promoted voting accessibility for Americans living abroad by allowing ballot return by email, fax, or web portal. 26 states now successfully employ these methods of  ballot return and I’m grateful that ____, is one of them.

Because ____ does not require mail in ballots it is much easier (and now safer due to the Covid-19 pandemic) for me to participate in US elections. 

We all deserve to vote easily, fairly and safely and we hope that you continue to lobby to support the ability for Americans citizens abroad to vote. 

Many thanks for all that you do.