Making Every Vote Count
On the eve of this historic presidential election, I thought I’d post an entry about the lengths to which an expat goes to get his ballot counted—and of the people who proved to be indispensable along the way.
Awhile back I requested an absentee ballot online from the King County, Washington elections office. I wasn’t holding out high hopes for receiving it in time, but supplied their office with my local address in Cameroon and kept my fingers crossed. Imagine my surprise, then, when just last week a thick legal envelope arrived par avion at my local post office. The timing was auspicious, since I’d received it less than an hour before hopping a taxi to attend a panel discussion at the University of Buea entitled, “America Votes 2008: Who Wins and What’s In It For Africa?” The event was hosted by UB’s American Corner, one of three in Cameroon sponsored in a partnership with the Public Affairs section of the U.S. Embassy in Yaoundé.
While the panel passionately debated Africa and America’s post-election future, I quietly filled my ballot and signed and sealed the security envelope.
After the panel had wrapped up, I searched for an official who might carry my ballot back to the Embassy. Long story short: Richard Johannsen, the first secretary and public affairs officer of the Embassy, tracked me down through Dr. Al-Yasha, a visiting Fulbright scholar and panel member whom I know through my NGO. Now, when I say “tracked me down” I mean that he actually drove around Buea without so much as a cocktail napkin sketch searching for my office, which is further complicated by the fact that our signage is almost non-existent. Found me he did, though, and left me with assurances that he would take my ballot into his care.
Richard explained to me that the Consular Section of the Embassy is able to accept sealed absentee ballots for federal elections from Americans in Cameroon, which then securely transmits the ballots to the U.S. via the Embassy’s diplomatic pouch. At least, that’s the process which is normally followed.
Since we’re so close to election day, however, he told me that my ballot (and others) are actually being hand-carried to the U.S. by an American diplomat who is leaving on Friday (today, that is) who will then deposit my ballot in the mail system so that it can be postmarked by November 4th. Just in the nick of time.
So, my thanks go to Richard Johannsen of the U.S. Embassy, Dr. Al-Yasha and the unnamed American diplomat who is making space in his/her luggage for mine and the others’ ballots. By the time it reaches King County in Seattle, my absentee ballot will have traveled to Africa and back through many, many helping hands.
You got to submit your request online, so I am thinking, for her, it would have been difficult back them, with no Internet to rely on. Plus, she would have been a bit difficult to find. Our family was quite mobile for a number of years.
My map of Buea is a “cocktail napkin sketch.” If I can dig it out of wherever it is buried, would you like me to send it to you? You can add to it and send it back to me, as I could use a good map when next I am in Buea.
Nov. 4th is almost over. Now, on to Nov. 5th.
BTW, what are you doing for thanksgiving? I’ll be in Tiko if you’re around.
Congrats about the work your doing.
Angel
@Joan, wish I’d been in Seattle to see you “Barack the vote”.
@Kim, thanks for the suggestion. I didn’t see that option on King Co’s election website, but it’s possible I overlooked it.
@irene, you’d be surprised by how many Cameroonians have told me that “Obama” is actually an Ewondo name from centre province. I’ve also heard that a Sudanese tribe is claiming ownership of the president-elect, since his father’s tribe supposedly migrated from the Sudan way back when.
@agvelarde, normally that would’ve worked but it was too close to the wire. Lucky for me the Embassy guys were in town. Re: Thanksgiving, I heard a rumor you were bringing a turkey to Tiko. True?