Comments on: how to vote as an italian living abroad http://bleedingespresso.com/2008/03/how-to-vote-as-an-italian-living-abroad.html Thu, 18 Mar 2010 23:10:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Mauricio http://bleedingespresso.com/2008/03/how-to-vote-as-an-italian-living-abroad.html/comment-page-1#comment-28978 Mauricio Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:37:37 +0000 http://bleedingespresso.com/2008/03/how-to-vote-as-an-italian-living-abroad.html#comment-28978 I am Italian citizen living in USA ( American resident) . I am not registered at AIRE. What do I need to do to vote or what happen if I do not vote. Thanks <strong><em> Mauricio, as an Italian living abroad who isn't registered in AIRE, you would still be registered to vote wherever your last place of official residence was in Italy--which means you'd have to vote there. Without traveling back to Italy today or tomorrow, I don't think there is a way for you to vote in this election. That said, you are *supposed* to register with your local Italian consulate in the US (just as a US citizen is *supposed* to register with the nearest US consulate in Italy); that way in case of emergencies, etc., they know you're there and have your emergency contact info, etc. They are also your go-between for governmental things like voting (the US consulates, incidentally, don't handle voting). Don't worry, though--there is no penalty if you don't vote in an Italian election. Although voting is, of course, encouraged, there is no punishment or fine if you don't. It is listed as a right and not a duty in the Italian Constitution. Hope this helps :) I am Italian citizen living in USA ( American resident) . I am not registered at AIRE.
What do I need to do to vote or what happen if I do not vote.
Thanks

Mauricio, as an Italian living abroad who isn’t registered in AIRE, you would still be registered to vote wherever your last place of official residence was in Italy–which means you’d have to vote there. Without traveling back to Italy today or tomorrow, I don’t think there is a way for you to vote in this election.

That said, you are *supposed* to register with your local Italian consulate in the US (just as a US citizen is *supposed* to register with the nearest US consulate in Italy); that way in case of emergencies, etc., they know you’re there and have your emergency contact info, etc. They are also your go-between for governmental things like voting (the US consulates, incidentally, don’t handle voting).

Don’t worry, though–there is no penalty if you don’t vote in an Italian election. Although voting is, of course, encouraged, there is no punishment or fine if you don’t. It is listed as a right and not a duty in the Italian Constitution.

Hope this helps :)

]]> By: Sally http://bleedingespresso.com/2008/03/how-to-vote-as-an-italian-living-abroad.html/comment-page-1#comment-26005 Sally Sat, 05 Apr 2008 19:35:58 +0000 http://bleedingespresso.com/2008/03/how-to-vote-as-an-italian-living-abroad.html#comment-26005 Yes, a very good post indeed. I agree with absolutely everything you've said. But not with Daniel. The problem is that Berlu keeps breaking the law and then changing it to get himself off the hook. No other western society would turn a blind eye to that. Also should it be allowed that a 'politician' (I use this term loosely) can have such influence over TV and press? Unfortunately, there are far too many people out "there" who swallow this rubbish. I weep silently for Italy: a country full of beautiful people, rich in art, blessed with an excellent climate, gifted with the best cuisine and wine and yet... probably the worst bureaucracy in Europe. I've rambled, it's just that you touched a nerve. <strong><em>Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts Sally. Hopefully lots of nerves have been touched this election time and that will show at the polls. Of course I agree with you, and it really, truly baffles me how someone can look at Berlu's record (including changing laws to avoid convictions!) and think he's what Italy needs. Sure lots of people in Italy would love a helping hand to get out of the mire that Berlu has put this country in (the cost of living is simply outrageous compared to stagnant salaries)--unfortunately Berlu's amici are the only ones who ever get such "hand-outs." Yes, a very good post indeed. I agree with absolutely everything you’ve said. But not with Daniel. The problem is that Berlu keeps breaking the law and then changing it to get himself off the hook. No other western society would turn a blind eye to that. Also should it be allowed that a ‘politician’ (I use this term loosely) can have such influence over TV and press? Unfortunately, there are far too many people out “there” who swallow this rubbish.

I weep silently for Italy: a country full of beautiful people, rich in art, blessed with an excellent climate, gifted with the best cuisine and wine and yet… probably the worst bureaucracy in Europe.

I’ve rambled, it’s just that you touched a nerve.

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts Sally. Hopefully lots of nerves have been touched this election time and that will show at the polls.

Of course I agree with you, and it really, truly baffles me how someone can look at Berlu’s record (including changing laws to avoid convictions!) and think he’s what Italy needs. Sure lots of people in Italy would love a helping hand to get out of the mire that Berlu has put this country in (the cost of living is simply outrageous compared to stagnant salaries)–unfortunately Berlu’s amici are the only ones who ever get such “hand-outs.”

]]> By: Leanne http://bleedingespresso.com/2008/03/how-to-vote-as-an-italian-living-abroad.html/comment-page-1#comment-24738 Leanne Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:12:41 +0000 http://bleedingespresso.com/2008/03/how-to-vote-as-an-italian-living-abroad.html#comment-24738 Sadly I cannot vote as my comune needs a copy of my birth certificate before I can go on the electrol role.. Next time... Do you really think Berlusconi won't win? I am not so sure, in this country you never know. My boyfriend is very disheartened as he too is from Calabria, and he too shares your sentiments and does not like Berlusconi one bit. <em>Leanne's last blog post..<a href='http://australiatoitaly.blogspot.com/2008/04/how-to-tell-if-house-is-abusivo.html' rel="nofollow">How to tell if a house is 'abusivo'</a></em> <strong><em>What a pain in the arse Leanne! I'm kind of hoping all those people that keep saying they're voting for Berlu in the polls are just lying ;) Sadly I cannot vote as my comune needs a copy of my birth certificate before I can go on the electrol role.. Next time… Do you really think Berlusconi won’t win? I am not so sure, in this country you never know. My boyfriend is very disheartened as he too is from Calabria, and he too shares your sentiments and does not like Berlusconi one bit.

Leanne’s last blog post..How to tell if a house is ‘abusivo’

What a pain in the arse Leanne! I’m kind of hoping all those people that keep saying they’re voting for Berlu in the polls are just lying ;)

]]> By: Daniel http://bleedingespresso.com/2008/03/how-to-vote-as-an-italian-living-abroad.html/comment-page-1#comment-24733 Daniel Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:01:00 +0000 http://bleedingespresso.com/2008/03/how-to-vote-as-an-italian-living-abroad.html#comment-24733 Thanks for your info. I am voting for Berlusconi though. He is the best thing for Italy. Too many people looking for too many handouts there. Saluti. <strong><em>You're welcome, Daniel; to each his own, but as a 5-year resident of "there" who is adversely affected every day by what Berlusconi did to Italy in his previous term, I wish you'd reconsider. Thanks for your info.

I am voting for Berlusconi though.

He is the best thing for Italy.

Too many people looking for too many handouts there.

Saluti.

You’re welcome, Daniel; to each his own, but as a 5-year resident of “there” who is adversely affected every day by what Berlusconi did to Italy in his previous term, I wish you’d reconsider.

]]> By: The Flavors of Abruzzo » Politics Unusual http://bleedingespresso.com/2008/03/how-to-vote-as-an-italian-living-abroad.html/comment-page-1#comment-24610 The Flavors of Abruzzo » Politics Unusual Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:39:18 +0000 http://bleedingespresso.com/2008/03/how-to-vote-as-an-italian-living-abroad.html#comment-24610 [...] Consulate (complete with pictures of the documents included, so go check it out). Plus, over at Bleeding Espresso you can read up on the procedures for Italians voting abroad. (She and I share the same political [...] [...] Consulate (complete with pictures of the documents included, so go check it out). Plus, over at Bleeding Espresso you can read up on the procedures for Italians voting abroad. (She and I share the same political [...]

]]> By: BC http://bleedingespresso.com/2008/03/how-to-vote-as-an-italian-living-abroad.html/comment-page-1#comment-24320 BC Wed, 02 Apr 2008 17:43:42 +0000 http://bleedingespresso.com/2008/03/how-to-vote-as-an-italian-living-abroad.html#comment-24320 Hello guys, even if you can't vote for me, I am running on Beppe Grillo's list in Sicily and the last days have been awesome! I produced a funny video for my campaign: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smJuW6f9Fpk Just to understand the joke: Lombardo is the most powerful man in Sicily. Cheers, BC www.blochincuius.com <strong><em>Ciao BC, thanks for coming by and leaving that link--too funny :) There just might be some people reading who can vote in Sicily, so hopefully they'll hop over and check out your programma! Hello guys,

even if you can’t vote for me, I am running on Beppe Grillo’s list in Sicily and the last days have been awesome!

I produced a funny video for my campaign: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smJuW6f9Fpk

Just to understand the joke: Lombardo is the most powerful man in Sicily.

Cheers,

BC

http://www.blochincuius.com

Ciao BC, thanks for coming by and leaving that link–too funny :) There just might be some people reading who can vote in Sicily, so hopefully they’ll hop over and check out your programma!

]]> By: girasoli http://bleedingespresso.com/2008/03/how-to-vote-as-an-italian-living-abroad.html/comment-page-1#comment-24118 girasoli Wed, 02 Apr 2008 05:30:26 +0000 http://bleedingespresso.com/2008/03/how-to-vote-as-an-italian-living-abroad.html#comment-24118 Hi Michelle, Great post. I wish I could vote just to NOT vote for Berlusconi. I was fortunate to observe the voting procedure once while visiting friends in Empoli. It was very interesting. Although they also voted at a school (like we do here in Hawaii), the procedures were quite different. I was able to peek in the doorway but not actually go in the room. I wrote about the Hawaii Caucus voting on my blog in February. I ended up being the conveener of my precinct which was quite exciting. If you are interested in reading about it, just put the word "caucus" in the search button on the sidebar and the 3 posts will pop up. <strong><em>Sounds interesting! I'll definitely look it up. We vote in an old school up here in the village--the only thing the building is used for anymore sadly. Hi Michelle,

Great post. I wish I could vote just to NOT vote for Berlusconi. I was fortunate to observe the voting procedure once while visiting friends in Empoli. It was very interesting. Although they also voted at a school (like we do here in Hawaii), the procedures were quite different. I was able to peek in the doorway but not actually go in the room.

I wrote about the Hawaii Caucus voting on my blog in February. I ended up being the conveener of my precinct which was quite exciting. If you are interested in reading about it, just put the word “caucus” in the search button on the sidebar and the 3 posts will pop up.

Sounds interesting! I’ll definitely look it up. We vote in an old school up here in the village–the only thing the building is used for anymore sadly.

]]> By: marco@ItalianPod http://bleedingespresso.com/2008/03/how-to-vote-as-an-italian-living-abroad.html/comment-page-1#comment-24085 marco@ItalianPod Wed, 02 Apr 2008 03:12:32 +0000 http://bleedingespresso.com/2008/03/how-to-vote-as-an-italian-living-abroad.html#comment-24085 I think I'll just delegate my father to vote for me as it's a bit difficult to do the AIRE thing here in China. Anyway the "vote for Berlusconi" has always been a great mystery to me, it always looks like noone votes for him when you ask around, so I'm getting to the conclusion that in Italy we actually vote for someone just to be able to complain about him as soon as he's elected! ;-) nice post, and thanks for your help! as a friend of mine says "se la scelta è tra Berlusconi e mia zia, io voto mia zia!" :-) ciao!marco <strong><em>Hah, that's too funny Marco. Go zia go! I think I’ll just delegate my father to vote for me as it’s a bit difficult to do the AIRE thing here in China. Anyway the “vote for Berlusconi” has always been a great mystery to me, it always looks like noone votes for him when you ask around, so I’m getting to the conclusion that in Italy we actually vote for someone just to be able to complain about him as soon as he’s elected! ;-)
nice post, and thanks for your help!
as a friend of mine says “se la scelta è tra Berlusconi e mia zia, io voto mia zia!”
:-)
ciao!marco

Hah, that’s too funny Marco. Go zia go!

]]> By: Joe http://bleedingespresso.com/2008/03/how-to-vote-as-an-italian-living-abroad.html/comment-page-1#comment-24056 Joe Tue, 01 Apr 2008 23:22:19 +0000 http://bleedingespresso.com/2008/03/how-to-vote-as-an-italian-living-abroad.html#comment-24056 Hi Michelle, I just posted on my little voting package that I received in the mail the other day. Do you know of any websites that have a break-down of the candidates and what they stand for? I'll check out the link in Luigi comment as well. Thanks!! Joe <em>Joe's last blog post..<a href='http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ItalyvilleBlog/~3/262267730/italy-vote-2008-take-1.html' rel="nofollow">Italy Vote 2008 - Take 1</a></em> <strong><em>The only site I've heard mentioned is the one Luigi linked to, but another option is to find all the parties' websites and read the "programma" there. For those Italians abroad who have decided on Veltroni and are deciding between the others on the ballot, you can find info on all of them (in Italian) here: <a href='http://www.partitodemocratico.us/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23&Itemid=45' rel="nofollow">Partito Democratico US</a> Hi Michelle, I just posted on my little voting package that I received in the mail the other day. Do you know of any websites that have a break-down of the candidates and what they stand for? I’ll check out the link in Luigi comment as well. Thanks!! Joe

Joe’s last blog post..Italy Vote 2008 – Take 1

The only site I’ve heard mentioned is the one Luigi linked to, but another option is to find all the parties’ websites and read the “programma” there.

For those Italians abroad who have decided on Veltroni and are deciding between the others on the ballot, you can find info on all of them (in Italian) here:

Partito Democratico US

]]> By: antonino http://bleedingespresso.com/2008/03/how-to-vote-as-an-italian-living-abroad.html/comment-page-1#comment-23918 antonino Tue, 01 Apr 2008 14:00:32 +0000 http://bleedingespresso.com/2008/03/how-to-vote-as-an-italian-living-abroad.html#comment-23918 Infact voting for Berlusconi is like to vote for Bush in U.S. I don't know how many people think to vote for him.... Thanks for your post Michelle, it's an example for all Italians not only for Italians living abroad but also for Italians living in Italy. Well Done. So I want to invite all Italians abroad and in Italy to vote, vote vote vote, and for U.S. I say Let's Go Obama. <strong><em>The comparison between Bush and Berlu is a great one Antonino--I still can't figure out WHO is voting for him in all those polls. I haven't come across anyone yet in person! As for the US, so long as McCain doesn't continue the Bush administration, I'll be happy. Infact voting for Berlusconi is like to vote for Bush in U.S. I don’t know how many people think to vote for him….
Thanks for your post Michelle, it’s an example for all Italians not only for Italians living abroad but also for Italians living in Italy. Well Done.

So I want to invite all Italians abroad and in Italy to vote, vote vote vote, and for U.S. I say Let’s Go Obama.

The comparison between Bush and Berlu is a great one Antonino–I still can’t figure out WHO is voting for him in all those polls. I haven’t come across anyone yet in person!

As for the US, so long as McCain doesn’t continue the Bush administration, I’ll be happy.

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