Overseas US voters get ignored by political campaigns − but could be crucial supporters

Election workers prepare to mail absentee ballots to Americans, including those living overseas. Allison Joyce/Getty Images

One group of American voters is being largely ignored in the closely watched polling leading up to the Nov. 5 elections: U.S. citizens living abroad, whether as civilians or as members of the military. We know from governmental data that the number of ballots cast by overseas Americans has been greater than the margin of victory in races in the past – and may be again in 2024.

But that one potentially crucial group of American voters – U.S. citizens living abroad – does not get much attention, from pollsters or campaigns.