Obama Wins Global Primary

22 February 2008

MADRID – Senator Barack Obama won the Democrats Abroad Global Primary, the organization announced.

Senator Obama received 65.6 percent of the vote in the global primary, compared to 32.7 percent for Senator Clinton. Other candidates Biden, Edwards, Kucinch and Richardson each received less than a percentage point of the vote.

In Spain Obama received 68.5 percent, compared to 29 percent for Clinton. The results were certified by the International Chair in Geneva, Switzerland.

The global results determine the allocation of 4.5 delegate votes at the Democratic National Convention. Senator Obama won 2.5 delegate votes, and Senator Clinton 2 delegate votes. A further 2.5 votes will be determined at the Democrats Abroad Global Convention in April. In addition, Democrats Abroad holds 4 superdelegate votes.

The Democrats Abroad Global Primary was conducted Feb. 5-12. Balloting took place at voting centres in over 30 countries, by mail and fax, and for the first time, on the internet through a secure online voting system. Online ballots were cast from 164 countries and territories, from Antarctica to Zambia.

"With the U.S. image so damaged by the present administration, American Democrats living overseas here in Spain were eager to have their voices heard. We saw a great diversity of voters taking part in the process, including many first time voters,” said Alana Moceri, Chair of Democrats Abroad Spain.

For the first-time ever, online voting enabled Democrats in every corner of the world to take part — including Adam Lutchansky, a researcher at the US scientific mission at McMurdo Station, Antarctica. "The online Democrats Abroad Global Primary expanded the frontier of voting opportunities, and it works easily, even from the harshest continent on Earth,” says Lutchansky.

The U.S. Presidential Election will take place on Nov. 4. Deadlines for requesting overseas absentee ballots vary per state. To vote in the U.S. Presidential Election in November, overseas voters must request a ballot from local voting authorities in the place where they last resided in the U.S., also possible at www.VoteFromAbroad.org

For a complete look at the Global Primary results broken down by country committee, please visit www.democratsabroad.org.