A GOP push to restrict voting by overseas U.S. citizens continues before 2026 midterms

"For many American citizens living abroad, making sure their ballots are returned correctly and on time hundreds or thousands of miles away, back in the United States, can be tough. But with the 2026 midterm election approaching, U.S. expatriates and their advocates say voting faces more uncertainty than usual, as Republican officials continue a push for more restrictions on overseas voters, including U.S. military members stationed abroad."

"Some 2.8 million U.S. adult citizens living abroad were eligible to vote in 2022, the latest year for federal estimates. And with turnout for overseas voters long trailing that of domestic voters (3.4% compared to 62.5% in 2022), voting rights advocates fear GOP-led lawsuits and proposals could drive down participation even further."

""It really stands out," says Susan Dzieduszycka-Suinat, president and CEO of the U.S. Vote Foundation, a nonpartisan organization that advocates for U.S. citizens casting ballots from outside the country. "I have to admit that 20 years ago when I got involved with overseas voting, I did not fast forward to this time where I thought we would be fighting for our basic rights. But it seems like that's what's on the chopping block here.""

Overseas Americans often struggle to ensure absentee ballots are returned correctly and on time across long distances. With the 2026 midterms approaching, Republican officials are pursuing restrictions that could increase uncertainty for expatriate voters and U.S. military personnel stationed abroad. Approximately 2.8 million adult U.S. citizens living overseas were eligible to vote in 2022. Overseas voter turnout has lagged domestic turnout significantly (3.4% vs. 62.5% in 2022), raising fears that lawsuits and policy changes could further depress participation. Thirty-seven states plus Washington, D.C. allow voting based on a relative's last U.S. residence, and recent legal challenges targeted ballots in the final weeks of the 2024 general election.

Read at www.npr.org