A million people in Canada can vote in the U.S. election.

Special to The Globe and Mail

Published Monday, Jul. 04, 2016 6:00AM EDT
Last updated Monday, Jul. 04, 2016 6:00AM EDT


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A million votes, here

We write as the last four U.S. ambassadors to Canada, Republican and Democratic.

Each of us is quite capable of partisan politics. But we save that for another day.

During our tenures in Canada, we each came to understand the importance Canadians place on U.S. politics. Our recent visits give us a sense of heightened interest in the upcoming election. On street corners, in restaurants, around kitchen tables, Canadians are talking about Trump versus Clinton. While that interest is important and appreciated, more than a million people living in Canada can do something more – much more. They can vote.

Any American citizen – that includes dual Canadian-U.S. citizens – who is 18 on Nov. 8, 2016, can vote by absentee ballot. But you need to act soon. Start by going to www.FVAP.gov to complete a new Federal Post Card Application.

This needs to be done every year. Print and sign the form. Return it to your local election office in the United States. You will receive a ballot about 45 days before the election. (Don’t worry: Voting for candidates for federal office does not affect your federal or state tax liability.)

Someone once said, “Every election is determined by the people who show up.” One million people living in Canada have a chance to show up. Please exercise that special right.

David Jacobson, David H. Wilkins, Gordon D. Giffin, James J. Blanchard, former U.S. ambassadors to Canada

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