American Views Abroad

 
Voter Site Block Lifted
In the International Herald Tribune's special section At Home Abroad www.iht.com there is a complete review on all procedures needed to cast an absentee ballot. The Pentagon reported last Wednesday that the blocks imposed on foreign internet service providers have been lifted. Thus overseas Americans should be able to access the Federal Voting Assistance Program www.fvap.gov again. However, if problems still exist, a Pentagon spokesperson said the voting assistance site can be accessed via the following address: http://131.84.1.219.

Most states impose an October 2 deadline for receiving applications for an absentee ballot. Once a ballot is received, it is advised that it be completed and sent out immediately. For those who do not receive their absentee ballot two weeks before Election Day (November 2), the FVAP as an ombudsman service that can assist in determining whether and when the ballot was mailed. The number from overseas is +1-703-588-1584.

According to a Democratic Party advertisement in the IHT to request an absentee ballot, point your browser to www.OverseasVote2004.com. If you have requested a ballot and do not receive it by mid-October, contact Democrats Abroad to receive an emergency write-in ballot: www.DemocratsAbroad.org or call + 1-202-863-8103.

In an article in last Sunday's New York Times Magazine Is Voting Worth the Trouble?, Jim Holt pointed out that the ancient Greeks had a word for a person who is indifferent to public affairs in this way: idiotes, or idiot. Right on target! www.nytimes.com.
- posted by Gloria @ 3:55 PM