An American citizen dwelling in Kingston, Ont., says her mail-in poll is being challenged, and he or she’s not alone.
Ellen Turcotte is a semi-retired English instructor who has voted in each U.S. election since turning 18 over 50 years in the past.
“I have not taken this right to vote for granted, but it certainly has hit me smack in the face right now that we can’t take anything for granted, and that is our right in a democracy. We have to protect them. We absolutely have to protect them,” Turcotte mentioned.
Regardless of shifting to Canada over 45 years in the past, getting married and beginning a household right here, she is just a everlasting resident and maintains her U.S. citizenship as her solely citizenship.
She says she has by no means had a problem voting in her residence state of Pennsylvania via mail-in poll till now.
Story continues beneath commercial
“My ballot was received over a month ago. On Saturday morning, I received an email informing me that my absentee ballot has been challenged,” she says.
Get every day Nationwide information
Get the day’s high information, political, financial, and present affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox as soon as a day.
She says the e-mail she acquired mentioned she was not a registered voter and didn’t reside within the state, making her ineligible to vote.
“I am registered to vote, and I am an American citizen,” she says.
Extra on Politics
Extra movies
In line with the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania’s authorized director, citizenship offers Individuals the liberty to vote, whether or not they reside right here or overseas.
Witold Walczak says a federal regulation handed practically 40 years in the past enshrined that proper for all dwelling overseas. These dwelling overseas completely can vote in federal elections. The place of residency they use is their final identified U.S. deal with.
In line with the ACLU, Turcotte shouldn’t be alone in having her vote challenged.
Trending Now
What Trump’s election might imply for Canadian charges and the loonie
Amid Trump commerce worries, China tariffs give Canada ‘firm’ floor: Freeland
The group studies that about 3,600 abroad voters who register to vote in Pennsylvania have had the validity of their vote challenged.
“Election deniers across Pennsylvania have submitted thousands of mass challenges to overseas voters because they want to block as many ballots as possible and silence our voices,” mentioned Deborah Hinchey, the Pennsylvania state director of All Voting is Native.
Story continues beneath commercial
Turcotte has emailed a problem to the Board of Voter Providers in Pennsylvania asserting that she is an American citizen and a registered voter.
She says she is assured her vote might be counted however says what’s occurring right here sends an essential message about the necessity to vote.
“I feel it’s important for everyone here in Canada to know what’s happening. I’m not the only American who is going to have trouble with this election having our vote heard. Living in a democracy and having the right to vote is very important to me and should be important to Canadians, not just to take this for granted,” Turcotte mentioned.
“I want to make sure that other Americans living in Canada who are undecided about voting, please, every vote does count, especially in this election.”
© 2024 Ontario Chronicle, a division of Corus Leisure Inc.
