A US expat living in the UK for more than 20 years has urged fellow US citizens to vote from abroad.
Comedian and writer, Erich McElroy, 52, uses comedy and social media to encourage other US citizens living overseas to vote in this upcoming presidential election.
He believes some may not realise what rights they still hold, as living away from the US does not remove a citizen’s right to vote.
McElroy advised expats to use their unique opportunity to exercise their views and power.
He said: “It is an incredible gift and there’s a lot of people who don’t have that voice.”
McElroy’s two children, a daughter, 18, and son, 16, are dual citizens having been born in the UK.
He shared his concerns that his daughter may want to live in the US or complete her masters in Texas but may not feel safe due to the ongoing debate of a woman’s bodily autonomy.
As this is the first time his daughter is allowed to partake in a presidential election, McElroy summed up her experience.
He said: “I think she’s excited about it.
“I think women’s issues and women’s body autonomy have become a huge part of the election”
McElroy believes young women across the US can see the importance of voting in this election.
He said: “This has a direct impact on their lives and their choices”
McElroy has lived in the UK as a British citizen for over a decade and feels very close to the country.
But time has not removed his care for the US, not only because of where he grew up but also because he still has family there.
He said: “You always have a connection to where you’re from”.
The key website for US citizens living abroad who want to vote in this upcoming election is votefromabroad.org.
Here people can find their ballot and find out what state they can vote in.
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