More than 80 percent voted Republican in the 1996 election and are credited with electing Republicans in 15 tough congressional elections. Sen. Connie Mack of Florida says absentee voters put him over the top to win his seat in 1988. Americans living overseas are far from apathetic about party politics and the upcoming election, Mr. Jones said. These are patriotic people who don't have the freedoms they had in America, or the infrastructure. They get misty-eyed over what a wonderful place we have, and they see first hand how important it is to protect our freedom by voting.
Military personnel stationed overseas represent the largest block of absentee voters.
They were sent a message from vice presidential candidate Dick Cheney during his acceptance speech Wednesday night. Rarely has so much been demanded of our armed forces and so little given to them in return. If elected, Mr. Cheney said he and Mr. Bush would reverse that trend and provide better training, equipment and leaders they would be proud to serve. John W. Wood, chairman of Republicans abroad, was given the opportunity to address party delegates on the convention floor earlier in the week. Former Secretary of State George Schultz and several members of the House and Senate spoke at the group's daily meetings throughout the week, and some are planning to travel abroad to hold town meetings, which they hope will encourage Americans to vote Republican.