Organizers for both parties mobilizing to get Americans in Canada to vote

With less than a week remaining until the U.S. presidential election, the race is expected to be highly competitive. Both Democrats and Republicans are urging Americans and dual citizens living in Canada to register and vote, stressing that every ballot will be critical for Tuesday’s election.

Daniel Ableser, a dual citizen residing in Canada for nearly 30 years, is registered to vote in Michigan, a crucial swing state that went to Donald Trump in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020.

"I have the privilege and responsibility of voting in both U.S. and Canadian elections," said Ableser. "In a democracy—something not everyone in the world has—you have a duty to participate and make use of the right to vote."

Ableser, who leans centre-right in Canadian politics, said he voted for Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and her vice-presidential running mate, Tim Waltz. He cited what he saw as "chaos out of the White House" during Trump’s tenure as a key factor in his choice. He also considered how the candidates' policies might affect Windsor, Ontario, and Canada as a whole.

“One of the uncertainties with Trump is trade policy and the idea of a ‘Fortress America,’” Ableser explained. "In Windsor, a border city, we have a $6-billion battery plant, and those batteries will be used in American vehicles. I think Canadians would fare better with the Democrats, as their trade policies seem more predictable, compared to Trump’s potential hardline stance, which might focus on overseas trade while reinforcing American economic barriers."

Ableser is one of over 600,000 Americans in Canada eligible to vote in this election.

Mobilizing American Voters in Canada

Michael Breshgold, an American based in Canada and chair of Democrats Abroad—Windsor, also votes in Michigan.

"The race in Michigan will be very close," Breshgold said. "Every vote we can secure will be essential."

Democrats Abroad has been working tirelessly to increase voter turnout among Americans in Canada, with efforts including in-person events like debate watch parties. They’ve even gone door to door in Windsor to find unregistered Americans and encourage them to vote.

Breshgold estimates that about 10,000 people in Windsor-Essex County are eligible to vote in the U.S. election. He noted that absentee voting has become more popular, especially since the pandemic, as many prefer voting by mail instead of visiting polling stations on Election Day.

"Voting is very convenient," he explained. "You just register, get your ballot in the mail, fill it out, and send it back. It might seem a bit overwhelming to start, but it’s straightforward."

Republicans Overseas is also trying to mobilize conservative voters living abroad. Although the group’s presence in Canada is less established, they are working to form chapters in major cities, including Windsor, due to its large American population.

A key issue for expatriates, according to Republicans Overseas, is the complexity of filing taxes in both countries.

"Trump’s recent announcement about streamlining tax requirements has been very well-received by expatriates," said Burke, a representative for Republicans Overseas. "For many Americans living abroad, it’s their top concern, even more than other U.S. political issues."

Burke is also involved with Canadian Conservatives Abroad, a group encouraging Canadian expatriates to vote.

'Every Vote Matters'

“This election is different because so much attention is on swing states,” Burke said. “With races being decided by tens of thousands, not millions, of votes, every single ballot counts.”

"We know there are many Michigan voters in Canada, especially in Windsor," she added. "Republicans understand Michigan’s importance as a swing state, and that means we need to ensure our supporters get their votes in."

Poll aggregator FiveThirtyEight predicts that Harris is leading Trump in Michigan by a narrow margin—47.9% to 47.2%.

Samuel Routley, a political science PhD candidate at Western University in London, Ontario, commented on the potential impact of the election on Canada.

"Regardless of whether Harris or Trump wins, both administrations are likely to push for U.S. economic interests more assertively, which will affect Canada," Routley said.

He expressed skepticism about whether absentee ballots would significantly shift the outcome, noting that voter turnout hasn’t seen major changes.

"The key is mobilizing those who consistently vote Democratic or Republican but don’t always turn out," he said. "That’s where both parties are focusing their efforts."

Routley added that Americans living abroad, especially in Canada, tend to lean Democratic, which is why the Democrats are hoping to slightly boost participation among these voters.

"Turnout has historically been low among this group," he said. "If they can increase it by even a few thousand votes, it could make a real difference."