In the midst of a tumultuous political landscape, the voices of American voters living abroad are becoming increasingly significant, particularly as they grapple with the implications of U.S. foreign policy on their lives and the lives of those in their host countries. Parastou Hassouri, a California voter residing in Egypt, exemplifies this sentiment. Despite having voted absentee in previous elections, she has chosen not to participate in the upcoming election, citing her disillusionment with the Democratic Party’s stance on the ongoing conflict in Gaza and Lebanon. This decision is not merely personal; it reflects a broader frustration among many Americans living in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regarding the perceived ineffectiveness of their votes in influencing U.S. foreign policy.
Hassouri’s decision to abstain from voting is a poignant expression of her discontent. She has actively engaged with her elected representatives and participated in protests during her recent visit to the U.S., yet she feels her efforts have been in vain. “I can’t bring myself to cast a vote for the Democratic Party,” she stated, emphasizing that her choice is deeply informed by the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over 43,000 Palestinians have reportedly lost their lives since the onset of hostilities on October 7, 2023. The war has since escalated into Lebanon, further complicating the situation and amplifying the concerns of American expatriates in the region.
The broader context of this disillusionment is underscored by the fact that nearly 3 million Americans are eligible to vote from overseas, with around 300,000 residing in the MENA region. Despite this potential influence, many voters feel their concerns, particularly regarding U.S. policy on Israel-Palestine, are largely ignored by the political establishment. Conversations with American voters in Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, and Jordan reveal a pervasive skepticism about whether their votes can effect meaningful change.
The 2024 election cycle has seen the Democratic National Committee make a concerted effort to engage overseas voters, particularly in swing states, as they seek to rally support for the Harris-Walz ticket. However, many voters in the MENA region remain unconvinced that a vote for Kamala Harris will lead to a shift in U.S. support for Israel’s military actions. This skepticism is echoed in the sentiments of voters like Leah, a 23-year-old from Georgia, who expressed doubt that either candidate would genuinely advocate for the rights of Palestinians.
The stakes are particularly high for voters like Sophia, a 27-year-old living in Jordan, who has consistently participated in elections from abroad. This year, however, she found herself wrestling with the implications of voting for a party that has historically supported military aid to Israel. “With how visible what’s happening in Gaza is, it’s harder to ignore,” she remarked, highlighting the emotional toll that the ongoing conflict has taken on her decision-making process. Ultimately, she cast her absentee ballot for Harris, albeit with a sense of resignation, describing it as “the most unenthusiastic vote I’ve ever cast.”
This sentiment is not isolated. Many voters in the region are increasingly prioritizing global justice issues over local political considerations. For instance, Haadiya, a recent college graduate living in Morocco, articulated her disillusionment with the candidates, believing that their foreign policy approaches would yield minimal differences. “No matter what I do, it’s not going to end up being something I want,” she lamented, reflecting a growing sense of powerlessness among voters who feel disconnected from the political processes that affect their lives.
As the election approaches, the voices of these voters serve as a critical reminder of the complexities surrounding U.S. foreign policy and its impact on global citizens. With the margins in recent elections being razor-thin, the collective sentiments of Americans abroad could play a pivotal role in shaping the outcome. Yet, the prevailing mood is one of skepticism and frustration, as many grapple with the realization that their votes may not translate into the change they desperately seek.
In a world increasingly interconnected by global issues, the experiences of American voters in the MENA region underscore the urgent need for political leaders to address the concerns of their constituents, both at home and abroad. As the election unfolds, the challenge remains: how to bridge the gap between the aspirations of voters like Hassouri, Leah, Haadiya, and Sophia and the realities of political decision-making in the United States.