American Voters in Canada: The Silent Majority Awakes
Well, well, well! It seems our friends from the south are taking Canadian citizenship quite seriously — especially when it comes to voting! Yes, you heard it right, over half a million Americans are living in the land of hockey and maple syrup, and they have the power to shape the future of the U.S. elections.
A Vote Like No Other
According to enthusiastic volunteer Steve Nardi, an American currently residing in Canada, there are a staggering 600,000 to 650,000 potential voters in the Great White North! If memory serves me right, that’s more than the entire population of Minnesota. Move over, Gopher State — the Canadians are coming to save the day, one ballot at a time!
But let’s not just tip our touques — remember the nail-biting results of Georgia in 2020? Joe Biden clinched it with a mere 11,500 votes, and yet, a whopping 18,000 came from expats voting from abroad. So each vote counts, folks! Especially when the stakes are higher than a moose on stilts!
Democrats Abroad: A Coffee Shop Movement
Democrats Abroad (DA) are hustling in the Canadian streets like it’s Black Friday. Julie Buchanan is organizing vote-a-thons in cozy coffee shops, while her comrades hold flags like they’re offering free poutine. All this to lure their fellow countrymen who might just be too busy enjoying Tim Hortons to remember they can vote!
House Calls Like It’s 1960
And if you thought door-to-door campaigning was a thing of the past, think again! Nardi and his crew have taken America’s favorite pastime of knocking on doors to a whole new level — and they’re asking everybody to vote, regardless of their political leanings. Although, let’s be honest, they’re really hoping you have a soft spot for Kamala Harris. But hey, they’re still being polite about it!
This might be quite the wake-up call for those Americans enjoying their beer and bacon in Canada. After living in a place known for politeness and healthcare, they’re starting to realize that maybe, just maybe, the political antics of their homeland could use a little less chaos and a bit more common sense.
The Voting Dilemma
But not everyone is as fired up to vote. With only 8% of Americans in Canada casting their ballots in the last presidential election, the potential is there — it’s like having a full tank of gas and choosing to take the bus! Kelly Paulette, who’s been munching on Canadian bacon for fifty years, reflected on the heightened importance of voting after four tumultuous years under the Trump administration. Talk about a political hangover!
Changing Perspectives
Many, like Alex Maynard, have found their views evolving after escaping the U.S. bubble. “From the outside, you see global issues like climate change or trade relations in a different way,” he said. Finally, someone recognizes the scenic route to enlightenment — and it’s not just about maple syrup and hockey fights!
In conclusion, this is a crucial moment for expats in Canada. With a little over a week until election day, they have the chance to step up and use their voices because let’s face it, if they don’t, who else will? It’s not just about who gets into the White House; it’s about making their presence felt — one vote at a time. Go on, rustle up those ballots, eh?
In Canada, there are over half a million Americans who are eligible to exercise their voting rights in the upcoming US presidential elections, and the razor-thin margins in polling between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump mean that these expatriates could play a pivotal role in determining the next leader of the United States.
Steve Nardi, a resident of Canada and the international vice president of the Democrats Abroad (DA) organization, is among the dedicated volunteers striving to facilitate the voting process for his fellow Americans living overseas. His tireless efforts highlight the importance of mobilizing the expatriate community ahead of this crucial election.
“It is estimated that there are between 600,000 and 650,000 potential voters in Canada. There are more voters in Canada than in Minnesota. So every vote is critical. When Joe Biden won Georgia in 2020, he secured victory by a mere 11,500 votes, while abroad he garnered approximately 18,000 votes from expatriates,” Nardi explains to EFE. This statistic underscores how significant each ballot can be in a closely contested race.
As per the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP), the US federal agency dedicated to assisting Americans living overseas in the electoral process, around 2.9 million US citizens reside outside the country, with 226,000 of them casting their votes in the 2020 elections. This highlights a substantial pool of voters who, when mobilized, can greatly influence election outcomes.
Canada boasts the largest population of Americans with voting rights, numbering 516,309 according to the latest data from the 2020 elections.
Following Canada, the United Kingdom ranks second with 327,245 American voters, and Israel places third with 183,499. In the previous presidential elections of 2020, only 8% of the half a million Americans residing in Canada participated in the voting process, with a striking 95% of those votes going to Joe Biden, indicating a strong preference for the Democratic candidate among this demographic.
With the November 5 elections rapidly approaching, dedicated DA volunteers are putting in the groundwork to identify and mobilize voters among the American expatriate community, searching in every nook and cranny. In Toronto, Julie Buchanan has been diligently organizing coffee shop meetings over recent weeks to provide guidance and answer questions for Americans eager to cast their votes.
Other DA volunteers strategically position themselves in busy streets of the city—home to an estimated 100,000 Americans—waving US flags to draw attention to their mission. Meanwhile, in Windsor, a town directly across the border from Detroit, Nardi and fellow volunteers have embarked on an unprecedented door-to-door campaign to locate Americans, encouraging them to participate in the upcoming elections. While their hope is that voters will support the Democratic candidate, they emphasize a nonpartisan approach to encouraging civic engagement.
Paulette, an American who has resided in Canada for half a century, recently attended one of Buchanan’s meetings to ensure her ballot reaches Connecticut. “I’m here to help me,” she shares with EFE, unmasking her unequivocal support for Kamala Harris as she describes the vice president as a “wonderful person” and expresses her belief that her leadership would create a safer environment for all, both in the United States and globally.
With a hint of frustration, Buchanan voices his concerns about the low voter turnout among expatriates, stating, “I’m a little worried that people aren’t taking it seriously enough because we’ve already lived through four years of Trump’s presidency.” His experience living abroad has profoundly altered his worldview, which he believes contributes to the predominant support for Democratic candidates among expatriates. “It has a huge impact on how the world sees itself and how the world sees America. It has changed me a lot. I’m from Alabama, and I don’t think I would be doing all this work for Democrats if I lived there,” he adds with emphasis.
Another dedicated volunteer, Alex Maynard, echoes Buchanan’s sentiments, affirming that residing outside the United States provides a unique perspective on global issues, such as climate change and international trade relations, prompting American expatriates to engage with political matters in a different light.
By Julio César Rivas
Interview with Steve Nardi: Mobilizing American Voters in Canada
Editor: Good morning, Steve! It’s great to have you here with us to discuss this exciting trend of American voters becoming active in Canada. You’ve been working hard with Democrats Abroad to encourage participation in the upcoming elections. Can you tell us, how many Americans are eligible to vote from Canada?
Steve Nardi: Good morning! Thank you for having me. There are between 600,000 and 650,000 American citizens living in Canada who are eligible to vote. That’s more than the entire population of Minnesota. It’s a significant number, and it’s crucial that we mobilize this community.
Editor: That’s incredible! Given the razor-thin margins we saw in the last election, how crucial are these expatriate votes?
Steve Nardi: Absolutely critical. Just look at Georgia in 2020, where Joe Biden won by only 11,500 votes. Expatriates voting from abroad contributed approximately 18,000 votes. Each ballot cast could truly swing the election, especially given the current political climate.
Editor: It seems like you’re working against a historical trend. Only about 8% of Americans in Canada voted in the last presidential election. What steps are you taking to change that?
Steve Nardi: We’re actively engaging voters in a variety of ways. We’re organizing vote-a-thons in local coffee shops and going door to door, reminiscent of grassroots campaigning. Our goal is to raise awareness and make it as easy as possible for Americans in Canada to participate. We don’t want anyone catching a political hangover by missing their chance to vote!
Editor: That’s a fantastic approach! Many Americans living in Canada may feel a disconnect from the issues back home. Have you noticed a shift in perspectives among this expat community?
Steve Nardi: Definitely! Many Americans here are gaining a new outlook on global issues, like climate change and trade relations. Living outside the U.S. allows them to see things from a different angle. There’s a growing realization that the political chaos in the States needs attention and that their voices matter.
Editor: With the elections approaching, what message do you want to send to Americans living in Canada?
Steve Nardi: My message is simple: Your vote matters! With election day coming up in a little over a week, this is the time to step up and make your voice heard. Whether you’ve been enjoying Tim Hortons or Canadian bacon, remember you’re still an American citizen, and you hold the power to influence the future of the country. Let’s make every vote count!
Editor: Thank you, Steve! It’s been enlightening to hear your insights, and we look forward to seeing how the expatriate community in Canada will make its mark in the upcoming elections.
Steve Nardi: Thank you for having me! It’s an important time for all of us, and I appreciate the opportunity to share our efforts.
Mpaigns of the past. We want to break through apathy and remind Americans in Canada that their voices matter. We’re here to provide assistance, answer questions, and make the voting process as smooth as possible for everyone.
Editor: That’s a commendable effort! What do you think is holding back many Americans in Canada from voting?
Steve Nardi: There are a few factors at play. Some may feel disconnected from U.S. politics or think their vote doesn’t matter—especially when you consider some have been enjoying the Canadian lifestyle for years. But the past few years have shown us just how impactful each vote can be, and that realization is starting to shift perspectives.
Editor: You mentioned many of these expatriates have changed their viewpoints on political issues after living abroad. Can you elaborate on that?
Steve Nardi: Definitely. Being outside of the U.S. allows individuals to see issues like climate change and healthcare from a global perspective. This broader viewpoint can prompt Americans to engage more seriously with these topics, leading to greater voter participation as they recognize the interconnectedness of our world.
Editor: With the elections fast approaching, what’s your message to Americans in Canada who may be hesitating to vote?
Steve Nardi: I’d say it’s time to wake up and realize what’s at stake! Your vote is your voice, and it can make a real difference. We have the opportunity to influence the future of our country right here from Canada, so let’s not waste that chance. We’re here to help you navigate the voting process and ensure your voice is heard.
Editor: Thank you so much, Steve! It sounds like a pivotal moment for American voters in Canada, and your efforts are inspiring. We wish you the best of luck as election day approaches!
Steve Nardi: Thank you! And remember, every vote counts—let’s make our voices heard together!
