Meek Calls for Arrangements for Haitians Residing in the United States to Vote in Haitian Elections

WASHINGTON, DC— Today, U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek released the following letters to Haitian interim Prime Minister Gerard Latortue, President George W. Bush and United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan calling for arrangements for Haitians residing in the United States to vote in the Haitian elections to take place later this year.

"It makes no sense to require U.S. residents to accept the burden and expense of international travel, and the necessary time away from work and family, by requiring them to return to Haiti just to participate fully in the democratic process," Meek wrote in his letter to President Bush. "A sound alternative exists. Certainly we would not require Iraqis in the U.S. to return to Iraq to vote for the same reasons. Our standards should be as high for Haitians."

Congressman Meek's request comes ahead of the Haitian electoral council's adoption of its final plan establishing the legal framework, calendar and procedures for the parliamentary and presidential elections, which is expected by the end of this week.

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Congressman Meek's letter to Prime Minister Gerard Latortue (view in PDF) follow:

January 25, 2005

Prime Minister Gerard Latortue
Government of Haiti
Bureau of the Prime Minister
Villa D'Accuiel
Bourdon
Port-au-Prince, Haiti (W.I.)

Dear Prime Minister Latortue:

I write to request that your government take whatever actions are necessary to allow Haitian citizens living in the United States to vote in Haiti's upcoming national elections at a consulate or other appropriate location in the United States. While some Haitians undoubtedly would want to return home to vote, it is also likely that, for reasons of cost, family or work, others would greatly benefit from having the option of casting their ballots in the United States.

In our conversations, you have often spoken about the importance of free elections in Haiti to establish a permanent government and have those elections conducted this year. As you know, there are over a quarter million Haitians who are U.S. legal residents living in the United States. At present, voters must all return to Haiti to cast their ballots.

I am certain that you agree with me about the importance of ensuring the widest possible participation in the elections. Haiti has just celebrated the 200^th anniversary of its independence from France. It is the second democracy in our hemisphere, with a long and proud history. However, the present voting requirement works against full voter participation by placing a heavy burden on Haitians living the United States. Surely, Haiti can join other democracies in the world, including France, Ukraine, the Philippines, and even Iraq.

I am enclosing a copy of a letter I wrote to President Bush, urging him to provide Haiti with the funding and administrative assistance necessary to allow Haitians living in this country to vote in your elections. I am also enclosing a copy of a letter I wrote to United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan requesting his support and assistance.

However, the key is the willingness of your government to permit this change, in the interests of making possible the widest possible voter participation in Haiti's elections.

In the interest of full democratic participation by your citizens, I urge you to do whatever is necessary to permit Haitians living in the United States to vote in the United States, rather than having to return to Haiti.

Thank you for your consideration of this important matter.

Sincerely yours,

S/

KENDRICK B. MEEK
Member of Congress

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Congressman Meek's letter to President George W. Bush (view in PDF) follow:

January 25, 2005

President George W. Bush
The White House
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

As a follow up to your inaugural speech last week, in which you committed the United States to the expansion of individual rights and democracy throughout the world, I write to request that you use your influence to invite and strongly encourage the government of Haiti to allow Haitian citizens living in the United States to cast their ballots here, in the United States, in the upcoming Haitian national elections.

I also ask that the government of the United States assist the government of Haiti with the funding and administrative assistance necessary to ensure that the election is conducted fairly and efficiently.

Allowing Haitians living in this country to cast their ballots in the Haitian election from abroad is a decision that must be made by the Haitian government, and I have written to Prime Minister Latortue to urge his support. A copy of my letter is enclosed, as well as a copy of my letter to United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan. However, since Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, your support for this proposal will be undoubtedly crucial for its success.

There are over a quarter million U.S. legal residents of Haitian origin. Those who are eligible must currently return to Haiti to vote and may not vote at Haitian consulates or by absentee ballot. However, Haiti is still recovering from the devastating tropical storm and floods that resulted in thousands of deaths and which also severely strained local food distribution, transportation, medical and housing resources. At the same time, Haiti is also experiencing lawlessness in the streets, particularly in Port au Prince, where the main airport is located.

It makes no sense to require legal U.S. residents to accept the burden and expense of international travel, and the necessary time away from work and family, by requiring them to return to Haiti just to participate fully in the democratic process. A sound alternative exists. Certainly, we would not require Iraqis in the U.S. to return to Iraq to vote for the same reasons. Our standards should be as high for Haitians.

Several other countries already allow their citizens to vote abroad, including the France, the Philippines, Ukraine, and of course, Iraq. In the United States, Haitian consulates are located in a number of cities, including Miami, Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, New Orleans, Trenton, New York City, Washington D.C. and Houston. The ability for Haitians to vote at one of those locations would eliminate some of the obstacles and allow them to exercise their right to vote and be a meaningful part of their country's democracy.

Just last year, Haiti celebrated the bicentennial of its independence from France. Haiti was the world's first black republic and only the second country in the Western Hemisphere to gain its independence. Please help Haitians achieve the promise of democracy by using your influence and the help and support of our nation to help Haitians living in America to vote.

Thank you for your kind attention to this important matter.

Sincerely yours,

S/

KENDRICK B. MEEK
Member of Congress

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Congressman Meek's letter to Secretary-General Kofi Annan (view in PDF) follow:

January 25, 2005

Secretary-General Kofi Annan
Office of the Secretariat
UN Headquarters
First Avenue at 46th Street
New York, NY 10017

Dear Secretary-General Annan:

I am enclosing a copy of a letter I wrote to the Interim Prime Minister of Haiti, Gerard Latortue, regarding the upcoming national elections in Haiti.

Earlier this month, the United Nations Security Council called on Haiti's transitional government to ensure free elections in 2005. This is a matter of great concern to me, because the Congressional District that I represent includes the largest Haitian population in the nation.

I asked Prime Minister Latortue to take whatever actions are necessary, and I request your support and assistance to allow Haitian citizens living in the United States to vote in Haiti's upcoming national elections at a consulate or other appropriate location in the United States.

At present, U.S. legal residents of Haitian origin must return to Haiti to cast their vote. If Haiti were to permit U.S. legal residents of Haitian origin to vote in the U.S., it would accomplish the goal of allowing full participation by the Haitian electorate with minimal disruption or hardship. Several other countries already provide for such voting, including France, Ukraine, the Philippines, and Iraq.

I am also enclosing a letter I wrote to President Bush asking that the United States assist Haiti with funding and administrative assistance for free and fair elections, as well as his support for enabling Haitians living in the United States to vote here rather than having to travel back to Haiti.

I refer this matter to your attention and thank you for your kind consideration.

Sincerely,

S/

KENDRICK B. MEEK
Member of Congress

Nan Kreyol

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