Republicans Abroad (''also known as Republicans Abroad International'' and RA) was a global

political organization A political organization is any organization that involves itself in the political process, including political parties, non-governmental organizations, and special interest advocacy groups. Political organizations are those engaged in polit ...

for Americans living outside the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

until 2013.

History

Republicans Abroad was headquartered in Washington, D.C. enabling the group to maintain direct contact with political leaders and policymakers. Until the passage of the Overseas Citizens Voting Rights Act of 1975, US citizens overseas could not vote in federal elections. After President

Gerald Ford Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr. (born Leslie Lynch King Jr.; July 14, 1913December 26, 2006) was the 38th president of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977. A member of the Republican Party (United States), Republican Party, Ford assumed the p ...

signed this legislation into law, citizens living abroad were permitted to cast an absentee ballot in their state of residence. Shortly after ratification, former

Republican National Committee The Republican National Committee (RNC) is the primary committee of the Republican Party of the United States. Its members are chosen by the state delegations at the national convention every four years. It is responsible for developing and pr ...

Chairman,

Bill Brock William Emerson Brock III (November 23, 1930 – March 25, 2021) was an American politician from the state of Tennessee. A member of Republican Party, he served in both chambers of the United States Congress. He was a member of the U.S. House ...

, and former chairman of UK Republicans, Richard Beeman, established Republicans Abroad in 1978 to organize the estimated 3 million American overseas constituents, the majority of which were Republican. Republicans Abroad hosted a weekly radio-show vi
wsRadio
titled ''Republicans Abroad Radio''. The show aired live weekly for several years. Guests to the show included President Ronald Reagan's Attorney General Edwin Meese III, Grover Norquist, and members of Congress. In January 2013, Republicans Abroad International closed, leaving its chapters to continue forward as independent organizations. When the international entity was dissolved, most chapters migrated to Republicans Overseas, while a few of its former chapters endured as independently operated organizations throughout the world, continuing a role in coordinating American voters living overseas; advocating the Republican platform and principles; engaging with media; and hosting local events.

References

{{Republican Party Diaspora organizations of political parties Organizations established in 1978 Republican voters living abroad Organizations disestablished in 2013 1978 establishments in Washington, D.C. 2013 disestablishments in Washington, D.C.

History

See also

References