I’ve heard that the reason Puerto Ricans can’t vote is because Puerto Rico isn’t a state and it is states that choose the president, not voters. But what about expats living abroad? Do they just get to pick which state gets their vote? If so, couldn’t Puerto Ricans do that too?And what about people in DC? Where do their electoral college votes come from?

I’m sure I’m missing something here, I’m just not sure what.

  • techwooded@lemmy.ca
    0·
    2 months ago

    Don’t forget that these restrictions also apply to the Americans living in Guam, American Samoa, and the US Virgin Islands, as they all have the same status as Puerto Rico. It’s interesting too because citizens of the 50 states can vote absentee from other countries, and American Astronauts have voted from space. That would make Puerto Rico, Guam, US Virgin Islands, and American Samoa the only places in the universe an American can’t vote for President

    • Sumocat@lemmy.worldEnglish
      0·
      2 months ago

      No, it applies to Americans voting in the territory’s election. Americans from States can vote absentee on their States’ ballots while living in U.S. Territories. A sailor from a State deployed to Guam can vote in the election of their State. But anyone voting in Guam’s election doesn’t have an option to vote for president.

    • KoboldCoterie@pawb.socialEnglish
      0·
      2 months ago

      That would make Puerto Rico, Guam, US Virgin Islands, and American Samoa the only places in the universe an American can’t vote for President

      An American who is registered to vote in a state can vote from Puerto Rico, Guam, the US Virgin Islands or American Samoa just like an American who is registered to vote in a state can do so from another country, or from space. An American who is not registered to vote in a state cannot vote from anywhere, regardless of where that is.