Americans Voting in Russia's Presidential Election
A number of Americans have left America, moved to Russia, acquired a Russian passport, and are now voting for Russia’s president
From coast to coast to coast — from the Black Sea, to the Arctic ocean, to the Pacific ocean — millions of citizens are taking part in this weekend’s elections. And considering that 11% of the world’s land is located in Russia, it’s apparent that the winner of this election will serve a six year term as President of the largest nation on earth.
That makes it all the more interesting that native Russians are not the only ones taking part in this election. There are also a number of Americans who have left America, moved to Russia, acquired a Russian passport, and who are now voting for Russia’s president.
I had a conversation with Kevin Michelizzi, one of the Americans here who has already voted in the Russian Presidential election. He talked about voting online, voting in-person, and about some of the differences between voting in Russia vs. voting in America.
Russian citizens have access to “gosuslugi” — pronounced go-soo-Sloo-gee — an online service which is linked to one’s passport, and which provides access to a number of government services. One of the options provided is online voting.
Kevin voted online, and he said it’s a piece of cake:
“Gosuslugi — you log into your account… and just click who you want [to vote for] and submit. Easy peasy.”
Those who don’t take the online option have the opportunity to vote in-person at one of the local voting booths. In many respects, it’s similar to voting in America. However, unlike some locations in America, voters are required to show ID. According to Kevin, showing your passport is an important part of the process:
“you go to your assigned polling place, show your passport, and they give you a ballot. You go in a booth, like in the US, mark your ballot, then deposit it in a locked box.”
Polling stations are currently open all across Russia, for the 2024 presidential election, in which president Vladimir Putin faces three opponents. The top job comes with a six-year term.
Incumbent Vladimir Putin is running against the head of the right-wing Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR) Leonid Slutsky, Communist candidate Nikolay Kharitonov, and Vladislav Davankov, representing the liberal centrist New People.
A high voter turnout is expected. Some sources are predicting that more than 70% of eligible voters will participate in the election. Early voting has already taken place in some of Russia’s more remote regions, in which approximately two million ballots have already been cast.
Some of the voters really seem to be enjoying this election. It’s amazing just how many people are getting involved. Even St. Alexander Nevsky was seen voting in Russia today, at the polling location in Veliky Novgorod:
Greetings. I have been married to my Russian wife for 23 years. We are about to retire and would like to move to Russia. I will be receiving Social Security and will also have the equity from the sale of our house. Our bank is with Chase. The big concern is money transfer. Reliable and secure. We have a CoinBase account. In September we plan to visit Russia to see family, open a bank account, get some dental work done and explore the Moscow Oblast for future home purchase.
Our hope is the sanctions will be lifted and relations with Russia dramatically improve. I think there will be a Tsunami of westerners wanting to move to Russia once the ability of money transfer becomes available. My concerns for continuing to live in America are primarily financial but also as a conservative I don't like it and while i could elaborate on this you and whoever reads this understands.