Embassy's Voting Assistance Officer hits the Road to Help Students Vote !

24 October 2008

On October 20, 2008, Vice Consul Wendy Kolls, the Embassy's Voting Assistance Officer, visited a group of students and administrators from IES Abroad, a study abroad program hosting American students from colleges and universities all over the United States.

Ms. Kolls met with the students in their London residence hall with information and materials to help them complete the final step of the absentee voting process. Most of the students, like Anika Bahra of New Jersey, had never voted before, and all were enthusiastic to cast their vote in such a big election year. "I'm very excited," she said.

Timing was crucial as the multi-step process of registering, requesting, completing and returning the ballots coincided with the time most students were traveling, moving into a new residence abroad, and beginning studies at a foreign university.

American students arriving in the United Kingdom this fall were impressed with the high level of interest in the U.S. elections. Kathleen Valleau of Illinois said, "I realized how closely other countries follow our election and felt it was important to vote."

Most of the students had completed applications to receive their absentee ballots at an outreach event organized by the Embassy's American Citizens Services unit on September 9th. Mieke Berg, of Minnesota, said, "It was helpful to register for my ballot right here where I live-thank you!"

While some of the students had received and voted their absentee ballots, some were still waiting to receive ballots from their home states' voting officials. There were others who already had their ballot, but had questions on how to send them in, or simply came with their completed ballots for the Embassy to mail.

Some students were surprised that the whole voting process couldn't all be done online. "I think a wider availability of online submissions would be very helpful," said Courtney Fox from North Carolina, (echoing the sentiments of Americans all over the world). "The Embassy coming to our dorm was very helpful."

The Vice Consul also brought back-up ballots (Federal Write-In Absentee Ballots) for those students who had not yet received their absentee ballots.

The U.S. Embassy has conducted a series of voter trainings, workshops, and presentations to American citizen groups in the United Kingdom during the past year.