Those who dont live here or pay taxes here

[Westman]

During the last several weeks something has happened to Sicko. Regardless of what we do or where we live, as long as we were born in Jamaica, we will always be Jamaican. The mad man on the street may never have paid taxes but he has the right to be enumerated and vote. So why should someone who lives abroad, but who was born in Ja, be deprived the right to vote? This is one of those tenets that is respected all over the world. It is universally held that the full rights to citizenship should always be extended to a native born person in their native country, regardless of where they live now. The test is to see what happens if you commit a crime in a country of naturalization. Most often now there is punishment and then deportation to where you cannot lose your rights to citizenship.

[Willi]

Americans abroad can vote.

[Willi]

Last place of residence. Ah suh uncle sam dweet.

[Willi]

I keep warning you about your ill advised outbursts but will you listen. let me ask you is the studnet in university a citizen of the United state sof America or are they there on a student visa?

Are the diplomats and farm workers citizens of the United States or are they there on a special visa?

Think before you post man, is that too hard to ask for ?

Sickko,

I have but 1 nationality and I have been out of Jam for 14 years!!!

[Islandman]

"the amount of Jakans living abroad is quite large, insomuch that they can determine the outcome of elections"

I think that is the main thing I am not comfortable with, being able to swing an election in a country that you do not even live in. Citizen or not, that does not sit well with me.

Maybe there would have to be some kind of restriction like how long you have spent in the country in the last 5 years, how many immediate family members you have in the country, etc .

An example of something like this is Puerto Ricans. If they live on the island they cannot vote in Presidential elections but if they move to the mainland they can vote. They are US citizens but there is a restriction when it comes to voting. I'm not saying we follow that excatly but there should be some basic evidence that we have tangible interest in the country before we can vote.

[Willi]

Sorry, it happened in Italy.

That is an unavoidable consequence of giving the vote.

The only reason we are currently denied is due to the format. It is a historical abberation.

Since it will cost money, I think it is quite reasonable to ask people to pay the cost of registration...even if its like US $100. That will sort out the serious from the jokers. $100 every 5 years or so...good revenue and good screening.

[Islandman]

Thats an idea I could go with. I don't think that would be a popular approach though. It would be seen as taking advantage of the non-resident Jamaican because they have a few extra dollars.

Remember them already send all that remittance money to them ungrateful family who don't appreciate it , ray ray ray...

[Willi]

But everything costs more from abroad anyway...passport, etc.

So no surprises.

The only thing I ask is that they accept cash or credit card ad the Bank fees will kill you and I prefer to pay the money to Jamaica than to farrin banks.

[Peter R]

Willi et al, I've been out of the country for over 30nyears, own no JA property, pay no taxes there, send no remitances other than an occasional contribution to my mom's charities. I do have a bank account there that sounds very fat in JA dollars but amounts to a few thousand US.

If I had the chance to vote outside I would think twice as the outcome would have no direct impact on me other than psychological.

I think having a significant tie, such as owning a property, should be a criteria for a citizen who has his/her permanent residence and income generating activity outside the country. Otherwise why bother voting other than for sentiment?

On another note, when I was a teenager my father who came to Jamaica from Guyana in 1950 received at our house ballots for him, my mom, my cousin (a Guyanese UWI student), and all five children ranging from ages 16 down to 8 years old to vote in the Guyanese general elections... that Forbes Burnham won. While my old man tossed them in the bin, he remarked that that was 8 sure votes for Forbes. That experience has tainted my view as I see room for corruption in an overseas vote.

Bottom line is this is a touchy one that I can see both sides having good arguments for their position.

pr

[Tilla]

That experience has tainted my view as I see room for corruption in an overseas vote.

I do agree with this if you are going to do it like they did in Guyana in the 1950s. If you fast forward to the current century, there is the technology to make it happen without those corruption concerns coming into play.

[Peter R]

That occurred in the early 70s... I presume that there are mechanisms in place today that would prevent this manipulation of an overseas vote...
However, the US elections when George W first got the presidency come to mind with the supposed voting machine rigging.

pr

[Tilla]

I did not think there was machine rigging in the GW Bush presedential election. What happened is that Florida had some antiquated system which made tallying the votes difficult.

[Willi]

So should we deny voting in garrisons on this basis too?

If you want to see fraudulent voting....

[Karl]

If you want to vote here, move here .

Mi juck yuh enough.

I agree those living abroad should not vote unless you fall in a special category like working for an overseas international agency or arm of the government (police/army/diplomatic corp or other) or a Jamaican business...i.e. your home is in Jamaica you are merely on the job outside of the island.

Don't ask me how the authorities would make sure that the 'right' persons got on the voters lists?

We outside of Jamaica, if we are so inclined, can always make a difference by the way we contribute through one or more the great many organisations and or other entities connected to, and or in the country. In those organisations or entites we should be able to hold positions, inclusive of directorships and or executive and or officer position.

[Gamma]

no kinda linear thinging going on here...unless linear means "one track"