Your Vote Does Count! (image from http://www.actionnc.org/primary)

As an expat, it’s hard to keep up on events happening in my home country, the U.S. But there are some things that are too important to ignore–like the 2012 Presidential Election.

I know, I know, politics. It’s a nasty word, right? But they affect every person associated with the U.S., whether you’re an American soldier, American citizen aboard, or even the spouse of an American. Deciding who the next president of the U.S. is important. If you haven’t noticed already, the U.S. is tied pretty closely to the rest of the world. When the U.S. economy dived, so did other countries’ economies. People who couldn’t find jobs in the U.S. went to other countries (like my husband and I) to carve out a better life. It’s more important now than ever to vote.

Honestly, I don’t really care who you vote for. The important thing to do is vote. For expats living in Japan, you can check your voter status and sign up for an absentee ballot at http://www.fvap.gov/. Don’t think that a vote won’t change anything. This year, it’ll be a close race, and every vote counts.

If you live in Okinawa, Japan, there are voting assistant days every Friday, from 8:30am-11:30am and 1:00pm-3:00pm at the U.S. Consulate General Naha, Japan Consular Section Waiting Room in Urasoe (2-1-1 Toyama, Urasoe City, Okinawa, 901-2104) (For Google map). Please email NahaVet@state.gov to set up an appointment (no walk-ins).