November 4, 2008
One DCist Editor Feels Left Out of the Voting Fun
"Did you vote?" a co-worker asked me. "No," I sheepishly replied. "I'm not a U.S. citizen." With lines snaking around many a polling places and voters excitedly talking about the potential for history being made today, not being able to vote is something of a downer. Those of us not casting ballots today -- the non-enfranchised, if you will -- will spend the rest of the day looking for a stray "I Voted" sticker, both to make ourselves feel like we're part of the process and to help deflect the glares of real voters who may think we're just ducking our civic duties. But it's impossible not to share in the excitement surrounding the day. Hundreds of voters were lined up outside Bancroft Elementary School in Mt. Pleasant as I set off to work today, a sight repeated at two other polling places along Columbia Road. Maybe I'll go fill out the sample ballot my roommate received and put it in a shoebox. I'll feel a little more like a voter, and Bob Barr will at least get one vote. - Martin Austermuhle
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What's stopping you from becoming a U.S. citizen?
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I think this is the form you're looking for:
http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/N-400.pdf
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Affiliation with subversive editing organizations that advocate the violent overthrow of the U.S. Government might have something to do with it. By which I mean "Highlights," "Ranger Rick," and "Gigantic Asses."
Don't worry, Martin. You're in good company. Convicted felons like you and me can, like Moses, only gaze into the Promised Land but never enter.
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Guys, I'm pretty sure that Martin has looked into the matter. Unfortunately, it takes a while to become a US citizen (and not everyone can, of course). Reason has a good cartoon flowchart here laying out the process:
http://www.reason.com/blog/show/128999.html
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I am not voting because I refuse to vote for a candidate I dislike....which is all of them and Bob Barr did not get on the DC ballot.......
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Are you from Baltimore? Baltimore became part of the United States in 1981. Therefore, contrary to belief, if you were born in Baltimore btwn the years
1981 and 2008 you are an American.
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I'm in the same boat. I've been asked twice today :(
Being born in the UK to a British mother and American father, we moved to the US when I was a toddler. I never bothered getting it when I was a child, and I think I've delayed obtaining US Citizenship long enough.
I could kick myself for not doing it in time for this obvious historic event... This go round has woken me up from my malaise. I will definitely obtain it in time for the next Presidential election.
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See, Martin? This is what happens when you send oscene, threatening letters to Madeleine Albright. It's a tough lesson, but many of us have learned it the hard way.
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Yeah, I've looked into it, but it's not easy, as Tom pointed out. Ironically, they make you jump through a million hoops and then once you get to the actual citizenship test, it's a joke. I guess it's a bit of a consolation prize for having had to deal with DHS.
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Larity, you can always exercise your right to write-in...
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Explain to me that whole D.C. statehood thing again, please. If you are actively seeking citizenship, then I think your opinion about D.C. statehood is arguably relevant. If you are not, well...
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Martin, I got an extra sticker if you want it. I never unstuck the one I was given when I voted in the primaries.
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bob barr has received at least 1 vote, because neither of the other 2 parties were close.
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by not a citizen, do you mean secret muslim socialist actually a citizen of indonesia from your time there as a child? because I think then you can vote, i saw a guy like that voted in Chicago this morning.
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Just a clarification...I wouldn't really vote for Bob Barr. That was a bit of a joke, though I do appreciate that he's been able to come around to some political stances he didn't have while he was in Congress.
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I am curious what is now involved with becoming a citizen? Something must have changed since I became a citizen in 1996. I filled out a form after 4 ½ years with a green card, attached a check and photos, got my fingerprints done, and popped it in the mail. Eight months later I showed up for an interview, took my civics test (they give you all the possible questions and answers before) and then was sworn in a month later. The whole 3 step process took about 4 hours in total, plus metro time.
As exciting as this election is, nothing is better than your first election as a citizen.
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out of curiosity, martin, where is your citizenship? (if you don't want to answer, that's fine)
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I'm both Swiss and Dutch...
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Legal immigration became more difficult after 9/11. There is now a required "name check" step by FBI and some unlucky, apparently random applicants got stuck in that blackhole for several years without seeing any progress in their applications. Though there are stories of people getting everything done in a year, it took me 4 years to clear the "name check"...
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Most all of my husband's relatives are naturalized citizens from El Salvador and it was pretty easy for them, even though they don't speak great English. They took and passed the citizenship test, which is not more than why are there 50 stars on the flag, who's your senator (they live in VA), etc.