Voter Registration

"If the 2000 Election has no other benefit, it has established once and for all the critical importance of the Overseas Vote. In fact, the Overseas Republican vote won the Presidency for George W. Bush, eleven Congressional seats (thus saving the House) and, it appears, two Senatorial seats (thus saving the Senate). Republicans Abroad have never stood higher, or played a more important and visibly effective role in American politics."
John W. Wood, former Chairman of Republicans Abroad International

The importance of registering to vote and actually voting from overseas, cannot be overstated. The United States of America is one of the few countries which grants its citizens the right to vote from overseas. Any American living abroad who would be eligible to vote in the United States, can vote by absentee ballot in his or her district of domicile, which is generally the last place of residence he or she lived prior to moving overseas.

RAJ maintains a strictly nonpartisan approach to our voter outreach and registration program. We do not ask Americans seeking to register to vote their party affiliation. Nor do we advocate voting stances on either issues or candidates. We believe that Americans, when allowed to decide for themselves, free of any political pressure, will choose to vote Republican. The GOP message of lower taxes and regulations, fiscal prudence, nonintrusive government and advocacy of freedom for the individual, is a message which Americans living overseas can appreciate. It should therefore come as no surprise that during the past several elections, as many as 70-80% of Americans living overseas voted for the GOP candidates.

From the GOP's point of view, the right to vote from overseas is not only an essential right, but a tremendous source of strength. In 1996, the overseas vote enabled the GOP to retain control of the U.S. House of Representatives. Over a dozen Congressional seats were decided by the overseas absentee ballot vote in favor of the GOP. Had those seats gone to the Democrats, the Democrats would have gained control of the House in 1996. Then-House Speaker Gingrich acknowledged this in his speech to Republicans Abroad in Washington D.C. on May 20, 1998. The G.O.P. Congress has achieved:

• the first balanced U.S. budget to be passed in over 30 years;
• the first serious reduction in the capital gains tax in over a decade;
• the first increase in the Section 911 income tax deduction for Americans living overseas since the early 1980's;
• the first serious overhaul of the powers of the I.R.S

Needless to say, all of us living overseas must continue to register to vote in order to continue this favorable trend.

RAJ holds voter registration events at the American Chamber of Commerce, the Tokyo American Club, Tokyo Union Church and other prominent locations in Tokyo. We place voter registration notices on the internet and in all major English-language newspapers in Japan. We have also provided voter registration notices in all U.S. embassies and American Chambers of Commerce throughout the Asia-Pacific Region. As a result, we have assisted in registering Americans to vote in all regions of Japan, as well as Americans living in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, Korea, Guam, and even New Zealand. The importance of registering to vote, and actually voting from overseas, cannot be overstated. America is one of the few countries that grants its citizens the right to vote from overseas. Any American living overseas who would be eligible to vote in the U.S., can vote by absentee ballot in his or her district of domicile, which is generally the last place he or she lived prior to moving overseas.

Registering to vote is easy, and RAJ has helped thousands of Americans throughout Japan and Asia to register to vote. Upon your request, we will provide you with the forms at RAJ events or by mail. For virtually all states, filling out the forms takes only five minutes. When you have mailed the form to the appropriate address in your district of domicile (we will provide you with the correct address), you are finished. The absentee ballot for your district of domicile will come to you in the weeks prior to the election. RAJ will be glad to provide you with voter registration forms and to answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding voting from overseas.

Please contact us by e-mail at RAJVoterReg@yahoo.com or check our Links page for other voter registration sites. Include your local mailing address and the city and state in the U.S. where you would like to register.

You may also click here for information on the Federal Postcard Application.

If you are interested in assisting with our voter registration program, we would be delighted to have your help. Voter registration assistance is very easy to learn, and you can assist us based on your own time schedule. The more you know about your rights as an American living overseas, the better prepared you are to live overseas. Voter registration is a nonpartisan, patriotic activity that helps your country. Please join RAJ's program to register Americans living overseas to vote.