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Americans in Canada urge fellow expats to vote in high-stakes midterm elections
Americans in Canada urge fellow expats to vote
American Democrats living in Canada are prepared to shout their political choices from the rooftops ahead of next month's midterm elections — while some of those who back Republican candidates seem leery of speaking out fearing a backlash from their neighbours.
Tammy Wilsker Mermelstein, a Texas voter who moved to the Greater Toronto Area last year, will be voting in a U.S. election from Canada for the first time.
While she used to be a Republican and voted that way until 2016, Wilsker Mermelstein said she has never voted for U.S. President Donald Trump. She said it's crucial for people to vote this year as "Texas is in play."
"Texas has not elected a Democrat in high office for at least two decades, probably longer, and this is the first solid chance," she said. "They say every vote counts. This is really going to be an election where every vote matters, even in states where people aren't used to having their vote matter if they're in the minority."
Americans head to the polls on Nov. 3 for midterm elections which could see the Democrats seize control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives from the Republicans. Democratic control of one or both chambers could significantly alter the path of Trump's presidency, including the possibility of new impeachment proceedings against him, and investigations of some of his key allies and agency heads.
Expat participation in U.S. elections is typically low, though the Federal Voting Assistance Program estimates there were more than 430,000 eligible U.S. voters in Canada as of 2024.
The organization estimates turnout among Americans in Canada was about 10 per cent in the 2024 general election, while the domestic voting rate that year was about 76 per cent. The organization estimates the overall turnout among all eligible overseas U.S. citizens at 11 per cent.
Kathryn Sikkink, a professor at the Harvard Kennedy School who has volunteered with the U.S. Vote Foundation, said participation in voting abroad may be low because some citizens find it difficult. Some, she said, don't even realize they're eligible to vote.
The U.S. Department of State website says U.S. citizens can get an absentee ballot by mail, email or fax, or by downloading it from the internet, though options vary by state.
Most U.S. citizens can vote absentee for federal office candidates in U.S. primary and general elections. Some states also allow U.S. citizens living abroad to vote for local and state office candidates, and on referendums.
Georganne Burke, the chapter lead for Republicans Overseas in Canada, said it has been a "contentious year" as Americans living in Canada have watched "the back and forth" between the two governments over trade.
"They want to make sure that whatever's going on in the States stays kind of healthy in case they have to go back home. So people, they are more engaged, I think, than they have in the past," she said.
A dual citizen, Burke moved back to the U.S. a few months ago after spending 38 years in Toronto and Ottawa.
A Republican and Trump supporter, Burke said she estimates there is a roughly three-to-one Democrat to Republican ratio among American expats living in Canada.
"I know that most Republicans are very motivated to vote," she said. "They're very quiet about it. They don't talk because they're not received in a very friendly way in Canada, which is kind of unfortunate.
"Democrats are also motivated to vote, especially if they're in one of those toss-up states, like Michigan."
When The Canadian Press sought to speak with various American voters via social media pages and message boards, lots of Democrats stepped forward. Not one Republican did.
Burke said it's a civic duty to vote in elections. She also said while some of the things Trump says and does make her "cringe," she focuses on his accomplishments.
"A lot of the thing that he has done in the United States have made a huge difference for Americans, including dealing with the border problem in Mexico," she said. "And I know it drives people crazy, but he is reshoring, as he puts it, American industry to the United States to employ Americans. That's his job."
Trump's trade war with Canada has become a leading ballot box issue in some key states ahead of the U.S. midterms.
Trump rapidly escalated his trade war and rhetoric against Canada after trade negotiations fell apart in August. The president signed an order to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America and the United States hit an array of Canadian goods with 50 per cent tariffs. A few weeks later, Ottawa responded with its own retaliatory duties.
Jessica Matwick, a dual citizen who lives in Ottawa and is involved with Democrats Abroad and Indivisible Ottawa, said every eligible voter should get out and vote "to put a stop to an unhinged administration and a legislative body that has abdicated their responsibility to keep the executive in check."
"The attacks on Canadian sovereignty and destructive tariff war are actions I cannot remain silent about," said Matwick, who moved back to Canada in late 2016 and votes in Virginia. "I still have family living in the U.S. and many friends who I am concerned about.
"My heart hurts knowing that the damage that has been done in a relatively short period of time will take years and years to repair."
Cody Littlefield, who moved to Canada from the U.S. in 2019 and now lives in Calgary, said he tries to vote in every election. A California voter, he said this election presents an opportunity for voters to send a message that what's happening in the U.S. "is not acceptable."
"The future of the country really matters to me," said Littlefield, adding that he and his family may eventually move back to the U.S.
"There are some people who will never go back and maybe they just really don't care about the domestic stuff, but I would say the foreign policy still does affect them."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 21, 2026.
By Catherine Morrison | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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B.C. election latest: Voters go to the polls to decide next provincial government
Latest happenings on B.C.'s election day
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
British Columbia is voting on its next government as the snap provincial election called one month ago reaches its culmination.
Here's a look at the latest from polling stations and campaign headquarters of each major party as votes are cast and tallied across B.C.
All times are local.
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6:21 p.m.
Supporters have begun arriving at the B.C. Green Party's election night event in the Greater Victoria area, including outgoing MLA Rob Botterell.
Botterell decided not to seek re-election, clearing the way for Leader Emily Lowan to run.
He says he is proud of Lowan and the party's campaign after NDP Leader David Eby called a snap election.
The outgoing MLA says people in his riding have told him they are "totally impressed" with Lowan's poise and advocacy for Green causes, as well as her passion and vision.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 24, 2026.
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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Immigration remains contentious in Alberta following referendum
Immigration proposals passed by 52 to 55 per cent in preliminary results.
The Alberta referendum results last week have been celebrated across Canada as a victory for national unity over separatism. With more than three-quarters of voters rejecting a move towards independence, the outcome has also been hailed as a political victory for Prime Minister Mark Carney.
But beneath the headlines lies a less reassuring result for Alberta's immigrants.
Unofficial returns showed the Yes side leading on eight of the nine other referendum questions, including all five concerning immigration and access to public services.
The votes could strengthen Premier Danielle Smith's as she seeks greater provincial control over immigration and restrictions on services for temporary residents.
For Alhan Arsal, a temporary resident from Bangladesh who is pursuing a master’s degree in international relations at the University of Calgary, the results were disappointing although the rejection of separation came as no surprise.
"I can hardly make ends meet as a student," he said. "Paying more for less health care would put many people off from coming here as students in the future."
Arsal said the results of the referendum "make me uneasy and solidify my conviction to leave the province after graduation."
New Canadian Media previously reported on growing unease among Alberta’s immigrants over the referendum and its anti-immigration rhetoric.
Mixed reactions
Dozie Anyaegbunam is a Calgary-based marketing professional and managing editor of The Newcomers. The online publication and podcast explore immigrant experiences in Canada.
Anyaegbunam said the results were "not that surprising, but nonetheless sad to see."
He said he had hoped the No side would prevail, particularly given how temporary residents — who account for less than 10 per cent of Alberta’s population — had been singled out during the referendum campaign.
"We have a lot of work to do about immigrants and their value to the system in every way," he said, describing newcomers as having been used as a "lightning rod" during the referendum campaign.
Imtiaz bin Hafiz, a lawyer who moved to Alberta from Bangladesh in November 2022 and took his citizenship oath on Oct. 21, said he was also unsurprised by the referendum outcome.
"I expected that a large portion of the people would be in favour of the immigration proposals," he said.
However, he pointed to the narrow margins. With roughly 52 to 55 per cent supporting several of the immigration proposals in the preliminary count, Alberta appeared deeply divided.
"In any case, the majority was in favour of the immigration proposals which will, in my opinion, legitimize these sentiments over immigration in the province," Hafiz said.
For Avnish Nanda, an Edmonton lawyer and co-founder of Our Alberta Advantage, a nonpartisan campaign opposing the referendum’s immigration proposals, the margins also raise questions about the strength of Smith's mandate.
He said the premier had sought overwhelming support for her reforms, while her government spent heavily promoting the referendum.
The province budgeted approximately $4 million for an advertising campaign that included television, radio, online advertising and a booklet mailed to every Alberta household. The government was also permitted to campaign for its preferred outcomes using public funds.
Still, the immigration questions passed by comparatively narrow margins.
"Given that the Alberta government outspent our campaign by 40 to one ... I think she lost," Nanda said.
"The No side may not have prevailed on the immigration questions by a few percentage points, but we went into Monday thinking we would be blown out, and we weren't."
Rhiannon Hoyle, Alberta NDP shadow minister for jobs, economy and trade, acknowledged that the Yes votes reflected genuine concerns about affordability, employment, health care and public services.
"Those concerns are real and deserve solutions," Hoyle said. "But let's be clear: immigrants didn't create Alberta's affordability crisis, and blaming newcomers won't fix it."
Hoyle, who is herself an immigrant, said the government must take responsibility for adequately funding and planning public services.
What happens next?
Anyaegbunam expects immigration to remain politically contentious.
"I don't think we're done with these sentiments," he said. "We'll probably see it used again in the coming election season, given how many people voted Yes on the immigration questions."
However, the referendum questions are non-binding, leaving the government to determine how to proceed.
Nanda fears Premier Smith will intensify her immigration agenda, further dividing the province.
"I think we're going to be deeply polarized around this issue, that's for sure."
Hoyle cautioned against interpreting the results as unconditional approval for the government's plans.
"A referendum is not a blank cheque for Danielle Smith to bypass the Constitution or pursue policies that could harm Albertans," she said.
"The government must explain what is legally achievable, what it will cost taxpayers and what the consequences will be for families, workers and businesses."
Manpreet Tiwana, vice-president of the Alberta Liberal Party and an immigrant, also emphasized the limits of provincial authority.
"Alberta has a role to play, but significant aspects of immigration remain under federal jurisdiction, so any proposed changes will require careful consideration and cooperation between both levels of government," Tiwana said.
Hoyle warned that additional financial barriers could discourage the temporary workers and skilled immigrants that Alberta's economy needs.
"Making it harder for them and their families to access essential services could drive away the very talent Alberta needs," she said.
Hafiz was reluctant to predict how lasting the referendum's influence would be.
"A lot of essential services are provided by immigrants,” he said. “Most people in business realize the importance of immigrants in the economy.
Copyright 2026, New Canadian Media. All rights reserved.
Mubin S. Khan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, New Canadian Media.
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