The American Citizens Abroad organization (ACA) is communicating to its members and supporters the statements made by both the McCain-Palin campaign and the Obama-Biden campaign with their positions regarding overseas Americans. Both candidates have made positive commitments concerning economic security/prosperity and the importance of a level playing field in world markets, the importance of improving the voting ability of overseas Americans to register and cast their ballots, improving access to Social Security benefits for those living abroad, the importance of making sure that overseas Americans are counted (census), and making citizenship of children born abroad more accessible.

At the end of the two texts, which are presented in alphabetical order, is important information on how to obtain the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot for voting if your absentee ballot does not arrive in time.

ACA is a non-profit, non-partisan, nongovernmental association dedicated to serving and defending the interests of individual U.S. citizens living worldwide. Its headquarters are located in Geneva , Switzerland. More information on the ACA is available on the organization's website.

   

JOHN MCCAIN - SARAH PALIN
STATEMENT ON AMERICANS ABROAD

US citizens living abroad may be distant, but they are not disengaged. In fact, as unofficial American Ambassadors, they play a vital role in the life of the nation. Not only do Americans abroad vote and pay taxes, they are often the first contact other nationalities have with our country and you experience firsthand the impact that our government's policies have overseas. No matter where Americans may find themselves, John McCain cares about their welfare, hopes and fears. As President, John McCain will work hard to improve the United States ' image in the world. But image is not everything. Above all, John McCain is committed to protecting the lives and livelihoods of all Americans and defending their personal freedoms. Through reform he will tackle the severe US trade deficit and strengthen the dollar, while providing a more inclusive, peaceful and prosperous future for all Americans.

The Role of Foreign Policy for Americans Abroad: As an American abroad, you know the significance of having a strong and informed foreign policy. The United States will benefit from stronger alliances, and together we will prevail against radical Islamic extremism, stand together in Afghanistan and work together in NATO. A strong European Union, a strong NATO and a true strategic partnership between them is profoundly in our interest. As President, John McCain will renew and revitalize our democratic alliances, while using diplomacy to promote the nation's interests in international affairs. John McCain will work with the more than 100 democratic nations around the world to advance our values and defend our shared interests. At the heart of these alliances, John McCain believes there must be mutual respect and trust. The United States must listen to the views and respect the collective will of our democratic allies. When we believe that international action is necessary, whether military, economic or diplomatic, we will try to persuade our friends that we are right. But we, in return, must also be willing to be persuaded by them.

Through revitalized alliances, John McCain will strive to strengthen democracy around the globe. When necessary, the United States will defend its friends against external aggression and bullying. The recent events in Georgia remind us all that the world remains a dangerous place, and John McCain is a leader who is prepared to protect our national security. In winning the war in Iraq , John McCain will bring our troops home with victory and honor, while remaining ever vigilant against threats around the world. Foreign assistance will also be an important element of his foreign policy. Economic development in key countries around the world is a long term investment in American national security, intended to build the political and economic foundations of peace and stability. In doing so, America takes the route of responsible statesmanship. Even as the United States increases its military capabilities, John McCain will increase our civilian capacity so that an undue burden does not again fall on our soldiers as it has in Afghanistan and Iraq , where civilian agencies of our government have too often been missing in action. As President, John McCain would be committed to bolstering peaceful development in order to reduce the chances of war breaking out in the first place.

As President, John McCain will respect and uphold the US Constitution and US commitments around the world. John McCain will fight the terrorists and at the same time defend the rights that are the foundations of our society. In a John McCain administration we will not torture or treat inhumanely suspected terrorists that are detained in wartime. We will close the detention facility at Guantanamo and come to a common international understanding on the disposition of dangerous detainees under our control.

Economic prosperity for Americans Abroad: To provide economic security, John McCain will clean-up the systemic problems of the US financial system. With today's crippling deficit, the United States ' room for maneuver in all matters is severely diminished. An increasingly isolationist, anti-free trade America would further weaken our country and the US dollar. The depreciating dollar particularly affects Americans abroad because of the disadvantageous effect of exchange rates on the tax value of a fixed salary or pension.

To secure America 's economic prosperity and leadership in the world, John McCain believes that globalization is an opportunity for American workers today and in the future. A John McCain Administration would have a competitive export mentality, because ninety-five percent of the world's customers lie outside our borders, and as a result, we need to be at the table when the rules for access to those markets are written. John McCain will engage in multilateral, regional and bilateral efforts to reduce barriers to trade and build effective enforcement of global trading rules. To make our country more competitive, John McCain wants to turn global markets into level playing fields for American citizens and companies everywhere. Under a John McCain presidency international investment in the United States would be encouraged to create jobs, and in turn promote prosperity, while also expanding foreign markets for American goods. These policies would tackle the US trade deficit, improve the economic security of Americans abroad and strengthen the dollar.

Voting from abroad: Having spent years in military service overseas, John McCain understands the issues that affect Americans abroad. The US expatriate population is an important demographic that is too often overlooked in Washington, but a John McCain administration will address their concerns and make sure the voices of Americans abroad are heard. Despite recent legislation, absentee voting still remains a complicated and unsatisfactory procedure that in effect disenfranchises many Americans, affecting the Armed Forces and civilians alike. The rules and regulations surrounding absentee voting must be made simpler and more uniform, and should find secure means to vote electronically. John McCain will reform existing legislation to ensure all Americans have the opportunity to exercise their right to vote.

Social Security issues: John McCain believes that reform is needed to make US Social Security services more accessible to Americans living and working overseas. As president he would consider reforming "windfall elimination" rules, as part of any bipartisan reform to restore solvency to our social security system.

Census: At this time, the US Census counts overseas members of the military, federal civilian employees, and their dependants, it does not include private citizens residing abroad. With an estimated 6 million Americans, discounting private citizens leaves the US Census lacking. For the purposes of the apportionment of Representatives among the states, John McCain would work with the Census Bureau to find an effective, inclusive way of counting all Americans living abroad.

Citizenship transmission: As President, John McCain would respond to the need to clarify the issues surrounding the transmission of citizenship. Every year, thousands of children born to American parents outside of the United States are rendered legally stateless at birth. While preserving American interests, John McCain would provide the leadership to resolve this ambiguity by reviewing the rules and regulations concerning citizenship of children born and adopted by US citizens overseas.

   

BARACK OBAMA – JOE BIDEN
SUPPORTING AMERICANS LIVING OVERSEAS

Americans abroad are uniquely aware of the impact that our government's policies have on the rest of the world and recognize that it's time for America to be seen as a global leader once more. Facing terrorism, climate change, global AIDS, or the spread of weapons of mass destruction, America cannot meet these challenges on its own, and the world cannot defeat them without America . As president, Obama will restore America 's moral leadership in the world and the understanding that the world shares a common security and a common humanity. Obama understands the special concerns and issues of Americans living abroad and will seek to address these as president.

Strengthen Economic Security for Americans Abroad: Barack Obama believes that the U.S. government should pay close attention to how American citizens are treated in the private sector while they live and work abroad. Our government must work to ensure that overseas Americans have every chance to compete on a level playing field, and he will work with Americans abroad to identify and understand problems they may face as a result of U.S. government policies.

Responding to Social Security Concerns: As president, Obama will make sure that the Social Security Administration guidelines on receiving Social Security benefits abroad are made more accessible to overseas Americans. He will ensure that the U.S. State Department works with U.S. embassies and U.S. consulates, which are usually the point of contact for Social Security beneficiaries living abroad, to ensure that embassy officials are properly trained on Social Security issues..

Citizenship Transmission: Each year, several thousand children of Americans living abroad are denied U.S. citizenship, and some are born "stateless," without any nationality or citizenship. Barack Obama is committed to addressing these effects on travel abroad, immigration of family members, and citizenship in a manner that protects American interests. In an Obama administration, the U.S. State Department will work to ensure that U.S. regulations on reporting the birth of a child born to an American parent abroad are more widely communicated to Americans living abroad. Obama will also work to ensure U.S. embassies and consulates streamline the citizenship claim process for American children born abroad.

Voting Procedures: Obama supports vigorous efforts to ensure that American citizens abroad have the ability to exercise their voting rights. He supports efforts like "VoteFromAbroad.org" that seek to make the overseas voting process more transparent and accessible for Americans abroad. Obama supports the Overseas Vote Act, the Overseas Voting Practical Amendments Act of 2007, and full funding to implement the Help America Vote Act.

Census of Americans Abroad: The U.S. Census currently does not count American citizens living outside the U.S. Obama supports efforts to find an efficient and accurate procedure to count Americans living abroad in the U.S. Census.

Concerns of Americans Living Abroad: Obama believes it is important to understand the role of Americans abroad in determining U.S. policy. Obama will work with members of the Americans abroad community and the U.S. embassies to determine how the U.S. government can be responsive to the concerns of overseas Americans. As a U.S. Senator, Obama has taken seriously the concerns of all Illinoisans, whether they are currently in Illinois or not. As president, Obama will work to establish a direct dialogue with Americans abroad.

Other Governmental Services and Benefits: Americans living abroad have little access to basic information about U.S. government services and affairs. Barack Obama believes that U.S. embassies and consulates, which are the main U.S. government contact points for Americans abroad, should develop and implement concrete plans on how to communicate basic information to Americans living abroad. Additionally, Obama supports efforts to ensure that U.S. State Department staff members have proper training to assist Americans abroad in determining their various rights and responsibilities as American citizens. He welcomes a continued dialogue between the White House, the State Department, and citizens abroad in an Obama administration.

   

IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO OVERSEAS VOTERS

If you have not yet received your ballot, go immediately to Overseas Vote Foundation (www.overseasvotefoundation.org). You can find the coordinates of your voting district, including the name of the person responsible, the telephone number and mailing address. Follow-up to find out why you have not received the ballot. If necessary, you can download from the Overseas Vote Foundation a Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot, which you can complete and mail to your voting district as a replacement of their printed ballot from your district.