A festive and fun-filled day was shared by Democrats and Republicans alike who came from Lulea, Malmö, Stockholm and Laholm to celebrate the US National Day on the 4th of July. We even had friends from Hong Kong.

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Festivities included singing the Star Spangled Banner, a traditional game of baseball, a swim at the beach and of course eating homemade hamburgers, hot dogs, cole slaw, potato salad, apple pie and a few surprises including handmade spring rolls and Waldorf salad.

Please support H.R. 1739 — Overseas Voting Practical Amendments Act of 2009. This legislation standardizes the Federal absentee voting process for UOCAVA voters. Significantly, H.R. 1739:

• Harmonizes the implementation of UOCAVA across all states
• Prohibits refusal of duly completed materials generated by computer
• Allows overseas voters to register once and receive ballots on an ongoing basis
• Eliminate notarization requirements
• Ensures that citizens born overseas who have never lived in the US can vote using the previous domicile of the American parent(s)
• Requires prompt notification of rejection of a ballot request so the voter has a chance to correct registration issues before Election Day

Did you have problems voting in the 2008 Presidential election? For example:

• Were you unable to vote because you have never lived in the US?
• Were you removed from the electoral rolls?
• Were your forms were rejected because of the type of paper used?
• Did you find out too late that their registration or ballot were not accepted?

If this applies to you or anyone you know, please draft a letter of support for H.R. 1739.

Please mail your letters to:

Hon. Robert A. Brady
Chairman, Committee on House Administration
US House of Representatives
1309 Longworth Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515

AND

Hon. Daniel Lungren
Ranking Member, Committee on House Administration, Republican Office
US House of Representatives 1313 Longworth Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515