U.S. Consulate urges American expats in Canada to vote

An American diplomat is trying to help American ex-pats living in the Atlantic provinces vote in the upcoming United States election.

Peter Velasco, consular chief for the U.S. Consulate General in Halifax, said some Americans living in Canada may be unaware of their voting rights.

"There might be a misconception that people might think that once they leave the U.S., and they're living in another country, either temporarily, maybe they're just [in Canada] for school, or maybe they've moved here, that they can no longer vote. That's absolutely not the case," said Velasco.

Velasco toldInformation MorningMoncton,he is utilizing social media, and local universities, to try and reach as many Americans as possible, to convince them to vote.

Information Morning - Moncton5:08Peter Velasco - Talking to Americans

Peter Velasco is Consular Chief for the U.S. Consulate General in Halifax

"We've co-ordinated with many of the universities in the area and what they do is actually set up specific information sessions," said Velasco.

To say the upcoming election has been closely followed would be an understatement. From the often times bombastic and controversial comments of Republican nominee Donald Trump, to ethical and health questions surrounding Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton,it seems the election has been headline news daily. The interest is being felt in Canada, too.

"We are getting a lot of inquiries about 'How do I vote?'I talk to Americans every single day when they come to the consulate and some have said, 'I haven't voted in the past ... but I'm definitely voting this time,'" said Velasco.

Velasco said Americans living in Canada who want more information on how to vote should go to the U.S. government's federal voting assistance program website.

"It will walk you through a series of questions which will then point you to the state where you are eligible to vote."

"That state will send you an absentee ballot, you complete it, you sign it,and then you mail it in."

It varies by state whether American ex-pats are allowed to vote in congressional, senate and state elections as well as in the presidential election.

Another option,Velasco said is American voters can either mail it, or drop the ballot off at the consulate in Halifax.