Request: A Brit living near Lafayette, LA

[Maiden England]

I need help. I'm trying to fill out my proxy overseas voter form, so I can vote in UK national elections. The problem is, it has to be co-signed by a UK NON resident, who still has a valid UK passport. I know no-one in the US who still has their UK passport. All my family that live over here, naturalized and never renewed their UK passports.
So I thought I'd ask, just in case. I want my right to vote, at least somewhere. If you can help. DUmail or email me. I'd really appreciate it.

Edited to add, the nearest consulate is a four hour drive away in Houston, which is my very last resort.

[benito]

1. Hello-

I copied this post and placed it in the Louisiana forum. Hopefully someone there will be able to assist you!

[LibLabUK]

2. Hmm

"All my family that live over here, naturalized and never renewed their UK passports."

Umm... why do you want to vote in the UK when you have no interests in the outcome.

I take it you contribute no tax and use none of the services...

I don't want to seem harsh, but maybe you should consider not voting in the election at all.

Besides, doesn't accepting citizenship of the US mean you voluntarily give up your citizenship (and therefore voting rights) in all other countries?

[Guy_Montag]

3. If Sloppy has retained UK citizenship,

s/he is entitled to vote.

If it's legal it's fair enough. Ok, so the logic in that statement is a bit ropey, but you get the picture.

Democrats Abroad (or whatever they call themselves), people in the same situation as sloppy, may save the world in November. So don't knock it.

[fedsron2us]

4. I agree 100 percent

If you are still a UK subject and travel on a British passport then much of the world is going to judge you on the way the British government conducts its foreign policy. I would think this fact alone is reason enough to vote. The fact you do not pay taxes or use any services in the UK is irrelevant. The same could be said of many British nationals working abroad. Although you may not currently intend to return to the UK it is not inconceivable that you could do so in the future. You therefore have a legitimate right to participate in choosing the the next government.

[LibLabUK]

5. Hmm

Subjects can't vote, citizens can.

S/he isn't travelling on a British passport, s/he's a naturalised US citizen with no familial ties to Britain and no intention of returning. S/he hasn't even bothered to keep his/her British passport current.

[muriel_volestrangler]

6. How do we know that?

they just said their family have naturalised etc. They didn't say anything about their own status.

[LibLabUK]

7. Ahh...

Yes, I think I have misunderstood.

I was under the impression that they needed to get a UK passport holder to sign because they themselves didn't hold a current UK passport and were a naturalised US citizen.

Mea culpa.

[Guy_Montag]

8. A wee addition

The fact you do not pay taxes or use any services in the UK is irrelevant.

Since if you're rich enough, even if you do live in the UK, this would describe you.

[fedsron2us]

10. Too bloody right

Also there are plenty of foreigners, such as Rupert Murdoch, who may not have the vote themselves but think that they have a god given right to instruct the people of Britain who to elect.

[missjudy6]

13. Isn't Rupert Murdock

Austrailian?

[Maiden England]

9. I guess I wasn't all that clear

I'm a British Citizen. I do NOT have US citizenship, nor citizenship of any other country than the UK. My parents and other family still live back in the UK. The only other Brits I know over here, are my cousins, who naturalized back in 1999 and never kept their UK passports up to date. Otherwise that's it. I emmigrated to live with my husband who is a USC, born and bred.
Personally although I don't pay taxes to the UK as I'm not resident there, I do feel like I deserve a say, at least somewhere. I have bank accounts and investments in the UK, also my very closest family live there. I think that once I naturalize in the US, I probably will give up my right to vote in the UK. But I don't see why I can't participate as a citizen of a democratic country, in the democratic process, at least in one country at a time.
Also not having the right to vote in the US, which is where I live, in such a crucial election, made me feel the need to know I have a vote somewhere at least. I hope you can understand that.

I honestly don't understand why you have to have the form co-signed by another non-resident British passport holder, it seems to me as if they are trying to make it hard to validate the form, when I could get it notarized or send a photocopy of my green card or send all the evidence to a consulate and get them to authorize it or something. But they want what they want, and I want the right to vote, so I'm doing my best to satisfy the requirements.

Thank you for cross posting my request! I appreciate it.

edited to correct spelling

[LibLabUK]

11. Sorry...

I apologise for my rudeness to you, I totally misread your post and figured you for a Conneryesque tax-exile type.

My apologies.

[Maiden England]

12. Its all good

:pals:

[missjudy6]

14. please see my response

In Louisiana forum.
May be of help.
I know there is a substantial English community here in New Orleans,
but have no idea how to contact them.
Hey wait... just remembered!!!!!
I have a friend who is from GB... and she goes to grad school in BR....
Private message me and give me your info, I'll ask her if she maintains British passport.
Judy

[Maiden England]

15. Huge thank you to the DU and to Judy!

Thanks to this wonderful bastion of democratic values, I got my form signed - which means I get back my right to vote! Hurrrah. I fully intend on scaring the heck out of my American friends by introducing them to the notion of manifestos, and of well run elections (where's that tongue in cheek smiley when you need it!). I can't wait for the next national election!