It is estimated that 6.5 million eligible America voters live outside of the US. This constituency, if it were one of the 50 states, would be the 13th largest in the union - between Massachusetts and Virginia. The individuals who make up this constituency have a perspective of America different than those of us who live inside the US. Being an American living abroad offers a unique view of America and its role in the world that many of us who live here do not perceive. It is important that this voice be heard in our election.

Many Americans living abroad will have their ballots counted in very important swing states. Votes from abroad recently made the difference in a senate race in New Hampshire, a governor's race in North Carolina, and a statewide race in Florida. In the contest between Hillary Clinton and Trump in 2016 the difference of 107,000 votes spread across the three key states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin tilted the entire election. The margin in Michigan was less than 11,000 votes.

Could the issues facing the US in 2020 be more challenging? More than 200,000 Americans have died as a result Covid-19. As a result of the pandemic, the economy is in crisis. Unusual wildfires and hurricanes are rampant. Racial tensions are at an all-time high. Questions of corruption and conflicts of interest raise suspicions and severely tests our rule of law. For the first time in any of our lifetimes, the legitimacy of our national election is being called into question and confusion may swirl around its results. Americans living outside of the US have a unique vantage point to view these challenges and a unique perspective on their resolution. American law seeks that wisdom as part of our election process.