U.S.-based Jewish organizations are actively engaging with American citizens living in Israel to encourage voter participation in the upcoming November election. These efforts are particularly crucial following the one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attacks.
The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America is collaborating with the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem and partnering with Yeshiva University to educate young Americans in Israel on how to request and cast absentee ballots. Nathan Diament, the organization's executive director of public policy, emphasized the importance of every American citizen exercising their right to vote, especially given the significant events unfolding in Israel.
Currently, there are a few thousand Jewish Americans in Israel on their gap year, a period typically taken between high school and college. The Orthodox Union is also focusing on providing resources for the hundreds of thousands of Jewish American immigrants permanently residing in Israel to participate in the 2024 election.
With the deadline for requesting absentee ballots approaching in battleground states, the impact of American voters in Israel, particularly in states like Pennsylvania, could be substantial. Diament highlighted the potential influence of these voters in key regions like Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Scranton.
The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem has urged Americans in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza to verify their voter registration and utilize absentee ballots for the upcoming federal elections. The embassy emphasized the significance of absentee votes in determining election outcomes, citing past instances where elections were decided by a small margin.
U.S. citizens living abroad can register and vote absentee, with students studying overseas required to complete a Federal Post Card Application to request a ballot. Diament emphasized the simplicity of the process, encouraging voters to send in their ballots promptly to ensure inclusion in the initial counts.
As the election approaches, there is a notable shift in polling trends among American Jews, potentially influenced by rising antisemitism. Diament suggested that recent events, including the surge in antisemitic incidents post-terrorist attacks, may impact voting preferences within the American Jewish population.
Overall, the efforts of Jewish organizations to mobilize American voters in Israel reflect a commitment to democratic participation and ensuring that voices are heard in the upcoming election.
