LUGANO, TICINO – The annual congress of the 700,000 Swiss who live abroad, often referred to as the Fifth Switzerland, is putting its weight behind a push for more widespread electronic voting. Some 135,000 Swiss abroad are registered to vote, but the group argues that more citizens abroad will register and vote if electronic voting is an option.
A US federal court has ruled that Virginia failed to mail overseas ballots on time for voters to be able to participate in the 4 November 2008 general election. States are responsible for establishing voting rules and registering voters but they must comply with federal law and send ballots for federal elections at least 30 days ahead to overseas military and other US citizens abroad. Overseas lobbying groups such as American Citizens Abroad, which is based in Geneva, Switzerland, have been fighting to ensure that US citizens who live outside the country are able to vote easily.
Links to other sites: American Citizens Abroad, US Justice Department office of public affairs
