Introduction – what truly defines an American voter?
___________________________________________________________
No constitutional right to vote
The U.S. constitution does not give U.S. citizens a constitutional right to vote. Rules for and eligibility to vote are granted (or not) on a state by state basis. The voting “rights” of Americans abroad has been the subject of significant advocacy over the years. In January of 2024 I wrote an extensive post detailing the history of AARO’s advocacy in lobbying for voting rights for Americans abroad.
Then – 1975 – AARO was a trailblazer in securing expat voting opportunities
The Unknown Ambassadors: A Saga Of Citizenship – Phyllis Michaux
Now – 2026 – AARO is a trailblazer in protecting expat voting rights
Approximately 50 years later, the taxation of Americans abroad has increased in scope and become more punitive. Almost 50 years later, a number of proposed U.S. laws would clearly diminish the voting rights of Americans abroad. To put it simply, this is absolutely, positively:
Taxation without representation!
AARO continues to take the lead
Once again, AARO is taking the lead in educating the public and advocating for the voting “rights” of Americans abroad. In early February AARO published:
State of Play on Voting by Americans Abroad Our Battle to Keep the Vote Continues