7.5 million Americans live outside the United States. “They represent, in a way, the 51st American state”according to Ellen Kountz, a fervent democrat living in France for nearly 30 years and author of Portraits of Veep: the incredible story of Kamala Harris. In France, there are around 100,000, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “This is an estimate, because Americans are not required to register abroad. In addition, this figure does not include dual nationals”specifies Joseph Smallhoover, former president of Democrats Abroad.
In France, two bodies have the mission of supporting Americans residing on French soil to vote in the presidential election. And given the complexity of the process… to help them. Democrats Abroad, an official organ of the American Democratic Party and the equivalent of a state committee like California or New York has the role of campaigning among the American population to inform them and encourage them to register to vote in their states of origin. Depending on the State, the voting method differs: sending the ballot electronically, by fax or by mail. The priority is the same on the other side of the spectrum. “Our role is one of education and support for voting for American residents in France” explains the Media Director of the Republican Overseas organization Nicolas Conquer. Unlike residents on American territory, the American population abroad must register on the lists for each election.
The Democrats Abroad organization in France is well established. Numerous “chapters” have been set up to guide American residents: in Avignon, Bordeaux, in Brittany, in Grenoble, Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier, in Normandy, in Paris, on the Côte d'Azur, in Strasbourg or even in Toulouse. For months, numerous events have been organized by the organization: a breakfast in Antibes, a brunch for the “Youth Caucus” in the Marais in Paris, a Halloween show in Rennes. Non-exhaustive list. Joseph Smallhoover welcomes this multitude of events: “at least 10 times more than what the Republicans are organizing in the territory”. The role of the organization does not stop there. Representatives of Democrats Abroad advocate with the American authorities in Washington regarding the situation and political questions concerning Americans abroadrelate Joseph Smallhoover. We are in regular contact with American senators”.
The Democrats Abroad organization in France is well established
Republican Overseas in France has three objectives. “Defend the interests of Americans living abroad and push them to vote, counterbalance the media bias on the PAF and lobbying actions aimed at protecting Americans in France, explains Nicolas Conquer. Recently, we obtained the inclusion in the GOP program of the repeal of the system that taxes Americans on the basis of their citizenship and not their residence”. A measure which dates from the Obama era and which has become a real mobilizing fact for the Republican vote of Americans abroad.
Are Americans in France as divided as on the other side of the Atlantic?
“MAGA supporters (Make America Great Again, le slogan de Donald Trump, NDLR) are not compatible with expatriate life » Judge Ellen Kountz. Despite the impossibility of obtaining figures on the issue, the political views of the majority of Americans abroad are Democratic. For the author, “many Republicans do not travel, do not have passports, do not speak a foreign language and therefore do not leave American soil”. An observation nuanced by Nicolas Conquer who believes that many Americans abroad vote for Donald Trump for tax reasons. He adds the existence of “shy voters” who do not express their opinions loudly and clearly. “Abroad, the Democratic position is easier to endorse than the Republican position” he laments. But another avenue on the democratic tendency of Americans in France is possible.
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“Shy voters” do not express their opinions loudly and clearly
Trump facing the French media “steamroller”
This is one of the objectives of the Republicans Overseas and the Republicans in France group: “reinform the French in the face of the steamroller of the anti-Trump mainstream media” in the words of the spokesperson for the Republicans in France Philippe Karsenty. The latter deplores the treatment of the American presidential election and the Republican candidate, particularly in terms of public service. “We are in complete delirium. Trump is insulted everywhere. Just by taking 24 hours between Sunday October 27 and Monday October 28. Sunday 7 p.m., broadcast of a program on France 5 “Trump, the fascist threat”. Sunday 8 p.m., on the show C Politique “Fascism, the great return”. Monday 11 p.m. on the C show tonight “Donald Trump, American-style fascism”, denounces Philippe Karsenty. When Trump is elected, the media will explain to the French and Americans in France for six months that Hitler is coming to power. It's up to us to explain the truth. » An organized left and a right under sanitary cordon. The United States and France have more in common than it seems.
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