Bangkok--1 Feb--TQPR For the first time in American political history, Americans living overseas will be able to cast ballots in the U.S. Presidential Primary at polling stations in Thailand, as well as other countries around the world, the week of February 5-12. “This is not just another opportunity to ‘Think globally and act locally,” said Phil Robertson, chair of Democrats Abroad Thailand. “This is a chance for Americans living abroad to be treated as if they live in the U.S. and go to a polling station like millions of other Americans on Super Tuesday.” Super Tuesday will be on February 5, when primary elections occur in 22 of the 50 States, meaning that millions of Americans will vote that day for their party contender for the presidential race. Previously, overseas Americans who wanted to vote in a primary had to obtain an absentee ballot and then post it back to the US. Six Democrat polling stations, across Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Nongkai and Udon Thani will be open throughout the week beginning on February 5. Voters who come to a Dems Abroad polling station with a U.S. passport showing they are of voting age will be permitted to register on the spot and vote. Alternately, Americans can sign up to vote on the internet in this first-ever global primary, or vote by fax. Registration at http://www.democratsabroad.org/join is free of charge, but must be completed by Wednesday, January 30 for those wanting to use either of these two methods. Robertson says the registration form takes just a few minutes to complete. It’s estimated that millions of Americans live overseas. Democrats Abroad is the official overseas branch of the U.S. Democratic Party comprised of American citizens living temporarily or permanently in more than 100 countries around the globe. “Some people may not appreciate how exciting this is,” said Elizabeth Boname, vice-chair of Democrats Abroad Thailand. “There is no clear front runner in the Democratic contest. It’s entirely possible that the Democratic nominee will be determined by voters outside the U.S., and that the division of Democrats Abroad’s 22 delegates will decide which candidate is chosen by the Democratic Party. Those deciding votes could be cast in Thailand.” In Bangkok, Democrats can vote Tuesday, February 5 at the Foreign Correspondents Club in the Maneeya Center Building near Chitlom BTS station from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and on Saturday, February 9 at the Roadhouse BBQ in Silom from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. For more information about the scheduled times and dates at various locations in Thailand, please see www.democratsabroadthailand.blogspot.com TO VOTE IN THE PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY IN THAILAND: IN BANGKOK Date: Tuesday, February 5, 2008 Time: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Place: Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT), Maneeya Center Building, Penthouse Floor, 518/5 Ploenchit Road, Pathumwan District, Bangkok Telephone: (02) 652-0580-1, Fax: (02) 652-0582 Map available at www.fccthai.com Date: Saturday, February 9, 2008 Time: 3:00 to 8:30 p.m. Place: Roadhouse Barbecue, 2nd Floor Corner of Rama IV Road & Surawong Road Tel: (02) 236-8010 Map available at www.roadhousebarbecue.com For more information in Bangkok, please contact: Phil Robertson, Chair — DAT (085) 060-8406 democratsabroadthailand@gmail.com Media Inquires in Thailand please contact: Tom Van Blarcom / Pattreya Vasinrapee TQPR Thailand, [email protected] ; (66) 2 260 5820 Ext. 116