Americans living abroad often grapple with the distinct sensation of being relegated to the political sidelines of their native land. Yet, as one of the most contentious midterm election cycles in United States history approaches next month, the American community in the Netherlands is finding ways to make its voice heard. From grassroots activism to digital outreach and late-night election watch parties, expatriates are actively engaging in a race that carries profound global implications, while simultaneously navigating significant bureaucratic and political hurdles.
For the past two years, the political landscape has been heavily dominated by Donald Trump, whose administration and policies have consistently captured global headlines. There is a widespread sense among voters abroad that little has escaped disruption, both within US borders and across the international stage. Consequently, there is no denying that an immense amount is riding on the upcoming midterm elections on November 3. The final results are widely expected to exert a defining influence on the trajectory of domestic and global politics over the coming years, turning what is traditionally a lower-turnout election into a critical referendum.
Despite the high stakes, Americans residing in the Netherlands—much like expatriates elsewhere—have historically faced an uphill battle just to participate. For many, the process is reduced to mailing in absentee ballots, a procedure fraught with logistical complexities that frequently deters completion. Each individual US state establishes its own unique deadlines and dictates whether ballots may be returned via email, fax, or traditional post. Furthermore, any physical ballot posted from the Netherlands must successfully navigate international transit to cross the Atlantic Ocean and arrive in time to be officially counted.
These obstacles lead some expatriates to abandon the effort entirely, while others harbor philosophical reservations about participating in elections for a country they no longer inhabit day-to-day.
"One of the reasons why many in the Netherlands don’t vote is because they’ve been here for a very long time," explained Tre’ Shawn Griffin-Noordermeer, vice chair of the Netherlands chapter of Democrats Abroad. "They feel like they shouldn’t be voting because they’ve lived outside the US for so long."
Despite these hesitations, federal law explicitly preserves the rights of US citizens living abroad to continue participating in federal elections within the state where they last maintained residency, regardless of the duration of their absence. To bridge the gap between this legal reality and the voter apathy or confusion it often creates, various advocacy groups have ramped up their volunteer efforts, hosting community events and digital workshops in the crucial weeks leading up to November 3.
Reaching Out to Voters
Members of Democrats Abroad in the Netherlands have spent recent weeks orchestrating intensive email campaigns and arranging digital "Vote From Abroad" gatherings via Zoom to demystify the registration and ballot-request process. Beyond virtual outreach, volunteers have organized lunches and social gatherings in cities across the country to discuss the implications of the midterms. These efforts are complemented by traditional flyer distribution, active social media campaigns, and large-scale phone banking initiatives.
"We’ve got hundreds of volunteers here in the Netherlands who have been helping with this," Griffin-Noordermeer told Dutch News. "A few weekends ago, we called over 13,000 people."
Originally established in 1964, Democrats Abroad functions as the official overseas arm of the Democratic Party. Its primary mission is to encourage participation among its members and the broader diaspora of American citizens spread across 197 countries worldwide. However, accomplishing this mission remains inherently difficult due to structural blind spots in how overseas voters are tracked.
Counting the Voters
A fundamental challenge facing researchers and political organizers is the simple fact that nobody knows exactly how many eligible American voters reside in the Netherlands. The US government does not mandate that citizens register their departures when moving abroad. Additionally, individual states frequently purge overseas voters from their active rolls if they fail to respond to periodic election mailings. Consequently, neither the State Department nor standard voter registration lists maintain a reliable, up-to-date count of the diaspora.
National statistics office CBS estimated the total population of US nationals living in the Netherlands at just over 27,000. However, this figure includes individuals who have not yet reached voting age, while dual Dutch-American citizens holding both passports are officially categorized as Dutch in national records and are thus excluded from the total.
On a global scale, the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP)—the Department of Defense office tasked with facilitating voting for military personnel and overseas citizens—estimates that approximately 2.2 million voting-age Americans live abroad. FVAP data indicates that roughly 11% of these eligible overseas citizens cast a ballot in the 2024 presidential election, with historical participation rates dropping even further during midterm cycles. Within Europe specifically, FVAP reported that 14.8% of eligible voters participated in 2024.
Preparing for the Worst
Even with low approval ratings for the incumbent administration, the path toward a decisive legislative shift for the opposition remains fraught with challenges. The administration has continued to introduce measures that critics argue are designed to meddle with the midterm process. In August, the Pentagon—which oversees FVAP—implemented last-minute alterations to the Federal Post Card Application, the standard form used by overseas citizens for voter registration and ballot requests. Notably, the revision removed a specific checkbox intended for US citizens born abroad who have never resided within the United States. In response, the Democratic National Committee filed legal challenges against the modification.
These administrative shifts followed an executive order aimed at introducing strict proof-of-citizenship requirements to the same voter registration forms, provisions that have since faced partial blocks by federal courts. The executive order also sought to prohibit states from counting mail-in ballots that arrive after Election Day. However, the legal landscape shifted in June when the US Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that individual states retain the authority to count mail-in ballots that are postmarked by Election Day and arrive subsequently—a vital legal protection for voters whose ballots must travel through international postal networks.
Such developments have left local organizers deeply concerned about potential disruptions. Hayley Hughes, co-founder of the Netherlands chapter of the progressive activist network Indivisible, admitted she is anxious about how the electoral process will unfold. She has already held discussions with leaders of other international chapters to formulate contingency plans in the event of federal interference with ballot counts or the deployment of government personnel to polling stations.
These concerns are not entirely unfounded; public rhetoric from political figures has occasionally suggested unconventional measures for monitoring elections, prompting grassroots groups to ready themselves for rapid responses.
"We’re already thinking we might have to mobilise," Hughes told Dutch News. "We’re looking at a protest here that week, if needed. In the US, there could be a mass mobilisation of peaceful protests and a general strike where people don’t go to work or school. We all hope that won’t be needed."
The Week of the Midterms
Despite the underlying tension, the expatriate community is preparing to mark election night through a series of prominent public events across the Netherlands. The Atlantische Commissie in The Hague has scheduled an "American midterm election breakfast" for the morning of November 4 to analyze the unfolding results.
In Amsterdam, the commission is collaborating with the John Adams Institute for a "Midterm Madness" event on November 6. Designed as a festival-style experience, the gathering will feature live music alongside lectures and panel discussions with prominent commentators, including The Atlantic staff writer Mark Leibovich.
Meanwhile, comedian Greg Shapiro is once again partnering with Pep Rosenfeld to host a traditional Election Night Party at Boom Chicago. Having hosted similar events since the 2000s, the comedy club has confirmed plans to remain open past 4:00 AM if the election results demand prolonged analysis.
"How late, well, we’ll wait and see," Shapiro told Dutch News. "I’ve got performances the next day. At some point I’ll have to get some sleep."
Shapiro is temporarily stepping away from his ongoing comedy tour, titled KING ME: 250 Years of Donald Trump, to host the Boom Chicago gathering. He noted the unpredictability of the political cycle and the difficulty of keeping his material current in such a volatile environment.
"There’s no telling what could happen," he said. "It could become January 6th on a national scale."
If you are an American living overseas and have not yet cast your ballot, additional time may remain depending on your state of registration. Visit votefromabroad.org for further assistance and guidance.
