“Have you guys voted yet?” It’s more important than ever.

If you’ve been following along with us since August, you know our voting process has taken some research and some effort.

We did request absentee ballots, but with the USPS having difficulties over the past weeks, we became concerned about whether our mailed ballots would ever make it to Pennsylvania. For that matter, we were unsure when we would actually receive our requested absentee ballots. Rather than waiting for them to arrive, we opted to complete and send the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot, which overseas voters can use if they don’t get absentee ballots in time to vote.

In another bid to ensure our votes arrive in the U.S. and are counted, I took the ballots to the U.S. Embassy myself.

South Korea is not immune to the political unrest that has been sweeping the world over the past months and years. The day I went to the embassy, there were lots of little political protests happening in the square. There was a noticeable police presence and some isolated yelling, but nothing that seemed particularly unsafe as the gatherings were very small.

As far as I can tell, the political action here is mostly centered around the rightist groups (their word – not mine) who are unhappy with the current South Korean president. Their positions also have been complicated by U.S. politics and the complex interactions and military ties between South Korea and the U.S. I was approached in one city park by an older man who had draped himself in Korean and U.S. flags. I have a feeling our politics are not similar, but he wanted to tell me he loves the USA. (Have I mentioned that with no tourists here at the moment, it’s a little difficult for a tall Caucasian woman to “blend”?) As much as I wish I had a photo of my activist friend, wisdom dictated a moment for smiling and moving on.

Despite the action in the parks, I was able to drop off our emergency absentee ballots at the embassy with no problem. My mission accomplished, they should be headed to the U.S. via diplomatic pouch!

We did just receive our regular absentee ballots via email, and we will complete those and send them via the embassy as well. It’s not voting twice as the FWAB is only counted if the regular ballot doesn’t arrive in time.

Despite living in South Korea during this election cycle, we have been able to participate in the political process. There are many U.S.-based organizations that will help U.S. citizens vote from abroad. In addition to voting, I’m able to volunteer with overseas phone-banking efforts to help get out the vote.

Although phone-banking will never be my favorite activity, it’s so important to be an active participant in voting efforts, especially in these times. I have had some truly wonderful conversations with other U.S. citizens living abroad, and I have been able to provide genuine help to people confused about how to vote from overseas.

Voting makes our voices heard and is a chance to participate in our democracy. Volunteer if you can, and if not – still VOTE!

“To make life a little better for people less fortunate than you, that’s what I think a meaningful life is. One lives not just for oneself but for one’s community.”

Ruth Bader Ginsburg