The 1.6 million voters who have the power to decide the US election are not currently present in the country.

New estimates from the Democratic National Party suggest that the U.S. election outcome may depend on voters living far away, prompting renewed efforts to mobilize overseas voters and potentially sway the election in Vice President Kamala Harris' favor.

The DNC estimates that 1.6 million U.S. voters residing abroad are eligible to vote in one of seven swing states, which are crucial in determining the next president in a tight race. These swing states, which include Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, carry a combined total of 93 Electoral College votes.

With Harris and former President Trump in a virtual tie just two weeks before Election Day, this bloc could wield more power than ever.

Democrats are promptly taking advantage of what they perceive as a significant voter demographic abroad.

The DNC recently declared a $300,000 investment in "Democrats Abroad" to facilitate the mobilization of U.S. voters residing abroad.

During a presidential campaign cycle, the DNC made a unique investment, which was a first-of-its-kind donation, as a spokesperson informed Planet Chronicle.

The U.S. government aims to increase voter registration among overseas residents, educate the public on mail-in voting procedures, and encourage widespread participation through advertisements on social media.

Overseas voters encounter obstacles in casting their ballots, which must be mailed to the state where they are registered.

Abroad, U.S. voters tend to cast their ballots at a lower rate in national elections compared to those on U.S. soil.

In the 2020 election, 47% of military voters living abroad participated, while only 8% of non-military voters cast their ballots from overseas. Democrats hope to change this statistic.

The DNC spokesperson stated in an email to Planet Chronicle that President Biden's slim 44,000-vote margin in Arizona, Georgia, and Wisconsin was crucial in securing his victory in the 2020 election.

In Georgia and Arizona, there was a significant difference among abroad voters in the 2020 election, and their participation also had a crucial impact on the 2022 midterm races' outcome.

In the race's final weeks, Democrats view this bloc as a potential advantage for Harris.

Abhi Rahman, the DNC Deputy Communications Director, stated on Planet Chronicle that the outcome of this election will depend on the margins, and every vote will be crucial.

In the final push towards Election Day, Republicans in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and North Carolina have filed lawsuits to impose additional restrictions on the overseas voting process, which they claim lacks proper safeguards.

While federal law allows states to set their own election rules, the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act requires the secretary of Defense to manage the registration and voting process for U.S. service members and government employees residing abroad.

Two judges in Michigan and North Carolina have dismissed lawsuits challenging the election results, stating that the suits lacked evidence and could potentially disenfranchise voters.

Republicans have been criticized by Democrats for their last-minute legal push to restrict voter turnout from a demographic that has traditionally been a reliable source of GOP support.

"Rahman stated on Planet Chronicle that they would win the election by engaging every eligible voter, regardless of their location, and that their investment demonstrated their dedication to leaving no stone unturned."

Stay up-to-date with the latest news and exclusive interviews from the 2024 campaign trail at our Planet Chronicle Digital election hub.