As the 2024 US presidential election approaches, hundreds of thousands of American citizens living abroad are exercising their right to vote, including an estimated 25,000 to 35,000 individuals currently residing in Ireland. Patti Shields, chair of Democrats Abroad Ireland, notes that the group has witnessed a significant surge in requests for voter registration in the wake of Kamala Harris’s nomination as the Democratic presidential candidate. Shields attributes the sudden interest to Harris’s nomination, suggesting that women’s healthcare, inflation, gun control, and Project 2025 will be pivotal issues in the November election.
Shields emphasizes the importance of registering and submitting ballots in a timely manner, noting that ballots sent electronically on September 21st must be returned by the beginning of October to ensure receipt. To facilitate voter registration, Democrats Abroad Ireland is hosting voter registration events, and Shields encourages individuals to visit votefromabroad.org to register and request their ballot as a voter from abroad. Shields believes that every vote counts, regardless of whether someone is abroad or not, and will travel to the United States for the second half of October to work on mobilizing voters.
Shields’ determination to exercise her right to vote and encourage others to do the same seems to echo the sentiment of many Americans living abroad who are determined to participate in the democratic process. As election day draws near, it will be crucial for these individuals to stay informed and engaged in the political process. Despite the challenges of voting from abroad, Patti Shields and Democrats Abroad Ireland are working tirelessly to ensure that every American citizen is able to exercise their right to vote. Shields’ message is clear: every vote matters, and it is up to each individual to make their voice heard.
Americans abroad fiercely defend their right to vote this year
The group’s efforts have not gone unnoticed, with a 650% increase in requests about registering to vote since Harris’s nomination. This surge is attributed to Shields and the Democrats Abroad Ireland’s awareness-raising efforts, including in-person voter registration events across Ireland and events in Cork, Galway, and Mayo in September. The group’s work will not cease after September, as Shields believes every vote is crucial in shaping the outcome of the election.
As the clock ticks down to election day, Americans living abroad are showing no signs of slowing down. They are determined to exercise their right to vote and participate in the democratic process, despite the challenges of voting from abroad. Patti Shields and Democrats Abroad Ireland are at the forefront of this effort, working tirelessly to ensure that every American citizen is able to make their voice heard. Shields will continue to travel to the United States in the coming weeks, meeting with fellow Americans living abroad and educating them on the voting process. Her message is simple: every vote counts, and every American citizen has the right and the responsibility to exercise that right. By doing so, Americans living abroad are not only participating in the democratic process but also exercising their civic duty.
