‘Voting matters’: US embassy in Luxembourg educates students on how to vote while abroad

Despite some Miami University students’ decision to study abroad for the fall 2024 semester, they will still have the opportunity to vote in the upcoming United States presidential election in November.

The U.S. embassy in Luxembourg briefed students studying at the Miami in Luxembourg program at the John E. Dolibois European Center (MUDEC) on the overseas voting process at an assembly on Aug. 30.

The embassy shared information about requesting an absentee ballot, where to locate state-specific deadlines and requirements, bringing blank voter registration and absentee request forms.

With the upcoming election having presidential candidates on the ballot, many voters want their vote to count, even from abroad.

Kylie Brosey, a senior organizational leadership major, voted for the first time in the 2020 presidential election. She said it’s important to vote no matter where you are, and finding the resources to request an absentee ballot and locating deadlines is an overseas voter’s responsibility.

“I am still a part of democracy, and I need to fulfill my duty of voting,” Brosey said. “I am coming back to the U.S. in December, and I want my vote to count for when I get back.”

The voting process for overseas voters differs from voting in the states as voters have to be prepared to independently educate themselves on the voting process.

Consul for the U.S. embassy in Luxembourg Kendra Arbaiza-Sundal shared information on requesting an absentee ballot, how to return the ballot and state-specific requirements. Arbaiza-Sundal said students need to be prepared to vote early due to the different deadlines between states and because mail can take several weeks to reach its destination.

Elle Seller, a junior developmental psychology major, said she will be voting for the first time in the upcoming presidential election.

“The consul from the embassy was able to tell me what I needed to do and how I needed to do it,” Seller said. “So they laid out the whole process for me. I knew I needed an absentee ballot request form, I just didn’t know how to get it so they showed me that and brought some for us to fill out.”

If a student forgets to request an absentee ballot and is eligible to vote, they can fill out the federal write-in absentee ballot. This form allows for their federal vote to count, but it’s up to the individual to educate themselves on who the candidates are. These forms can be used in some states for local elections as well, but the requirements differ from state to state.

The U.S. embassy in Luxembourg told MUDEC students they are always available to assist with voting questions and left materials and forms for additional resources at MUDEC.

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“Voting matters – it doesn’t matter if you are in the U.S. or overseas,” Arbaiza-Sundal said. “We want to make sure that whether people are serving in the military, studying abroad or working overseas they are able to vote and participate in democracy.”

newlinae@miamioh.edu