More than 4 million American citizens will not have a say in this year’s heated US presidential election because they live in United States territories.
Although they are directly affected by US policy, residents of these territories including Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and American Samoa, are not eligible to vote for a president. Citizens living in one of the 50 states also lose their right to cast a vote once they move to these territories, yet citizens living in foreign countries can vote via absentee ballot.
Sean Liphard, who moved from Washington DC to the island of St Thomas more than four years ago, calls the current system “offensive” and “unconstitutional”.
"I wasn't actually aware that I couldn't vote before I moved here," the 47-year-old, who works at the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands, tells The National.
“I was surprised and very disappointed, especially since the last election and this one have been so critically important to the future of democracy in our nation.”
Anyone born in Guam, the Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands and Puerto Rico is considered a US citizen. They can participate in the presidential primaries but not in the November 3 vote, unless they live in the US.
The exception is American Samoans, who are considered nationals of the US, not citizens. According to US law, being a national means you owe "permanent allegiance to the state", are under protection of the government and can travel to and live in the US, but cannot get an American passport or a job that requires citizenship, or vote in elections.
The reason residents of the US territories cannot vote in the presidential election is simply a historic one: because there was no provision for it in the Constitution that came into force in 1789. In the 1890s, the Supreme Court ruled that the territories belonged to the US but were “not a part” of the country.
Few Americans are aware of the issue, says Tappan Vickery, director of voting engagement at HeadCount, a voter registration group.
Even her organisation took some time to recognise there was an issue. “For a long time, like we weren't honestly even thinking about the people in the territories,” she says.
It was only after a mass exodus of Puerto Ricans to the States following the destruction of Hurricane Maria in 2017 that the organisation took note.
“We realised that this was a problem when our federal voter registration form that we rely on to do our work didn't actually support their voter registration process. It was very eye-opening to be honest, for us as an organisation. We realised we weren’t serving this population and we realised there was an immediate need to serve them.”
As a non-profit organisation, Headcount cannot campaign for the right to vote for the territories, but Ms Vickery believes there should at least be a dialogue about their representation.
“We need to make sure they know what their rights are and how they’re different to US state citizen rights so they can advocate for themselves and say they want to have change."
But the territories have been fighting for decades to win the right to vote for president. In 2000, the US government argued the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico was not a state, and so did not have the constitutional right to vote for president.
“I have always wanted to vote in the election but now I want to more than ever,” says Puerto Rico resident Gustavo Rivera. “We have had so many disasters, such as hurricanes, and aid from the US has been so restricted, that I want to have a say in the election of the leader who decides our fate.
“We have really struggled over the past few years with having access to basic rights: clean water, enough food, somewhere safe to live,” the 28-year-old adds, “and it feels so unfair that we cannot vote for somebody who impacts our lives so much on an everyday basis.”
For those who are used to being able to vote in the elections, to have it stripped away because they have moved is a tough pill to swallow.
“Why shouldn't we get the same federal economic and political benefits as the rest of the country?” Mr Liphard says. “The current system is un-American and undemocratic. We're talking about colonialism here – the type of racist disenfranchisement that dates back to the 1900s. Clearly the laws should have been changed a long time ago.”
Professor Malik Sekou, chairman of the social and political sciences department at the University of the Virgin Islands, says the Virgin Islanders deserve full political power within the US system.
“No voting rights means colonialism. It is not fair,” Mr Sekou says. “All presidential elections are important. However this 2020 election cycle has grave repercussions based on the confluence of domestic and foreign challenges.”
US Virgin Islands residents are affected by Washington's domestic and foreign policies “in every way", he says.
“Frankly, racism in the continental US has always been a problem for us in the Virgin Islands but our concern is our need for more political power to protect our territorial interests and economic development.”
Mr Liphard says that the voting system has left him feeling “angry and frustrated”.
“Quite honestly, it's offensive and should be unconstitutional in my opinion,” he says. “It makes me feel helpless, like there is nothing I can do about it to make my voice heard. I'm a US citizen and should have the ability to vote for president, just like other US citizens.”
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
Profile of Whizkey
Date founded: 04 November 2017
Founders: Abdulaziz AlBlooshi and Harsh Hirani
Based: Dubai, UAE
Number of employees: 10
Sector: AI, software
Cashflow: Dh2.5 Million
Funding stage: Series A
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Bio
Born in Dibba, Sharjah in 1972.
He is the eldest among 11 brothers and sisters.
He was educated in Sharjah schools and is a graduate of UAE University in Al Ain.
He has written poetry for 30 years and has had work published in local newspapers.
He likes all kinds of adventure movies that relate to his work.
His dream is a safe and preserved environment for all humankind.
His favourite book is The Quran, and 'Maze of Innovation and Creativity', written by his brother.
WISH
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
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2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Keep it fun and engaging
Stuart Ritchie, director of wealth advice at AES International, says children cannot learn something overnight, so it helps to have a fun routine that keeps them engaged and interested.
“I explain to my daughter that the money I draw from an ATM or the money on my bank card doesn’t just magically appear – it’s money I have earned from my job. I show her how this works by giving her little chores around the house so she can earn pocket money,” says Mr Ritchie.
His daughter is allowed to spend half of her pocket money, while the other half goes into a bank account. When this money hits a certain milestone, Mr Ritchie rewards his daughter with a small lump sum.
He also recommends books that teach the importance of money management for children, such as The Squirrel Manifesto by Ric Edelman and Jean Edelman.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?
The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.
The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.
He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.
He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.
He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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England's all-time record goalscorers:
Wayne Rooney 53
Bobby Charlton 49
Gary Lineker 48
Jimmy Greaves 44
Michael Owen 40
Tom Finney 30
Nat Lofthouse 30
Alan Shearer 30
Viv Woodward 29
Frank Lampard 29
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Best Academy: Ajax and Benfica
Best Agent: Jorge Mendes
Best Club : Liverpool
Best Coach: Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)
Best Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker
Best Men’s Player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Best Partnership of the Year Award by SportBusiness: Manchester City and SAP
Best Referee: Stephanie Frappart
Best Revelation Player: Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid and Portugal)
Best Sporting Director: Andrea Berta (Atletico Madrid)
Best Women's Player: Lucy Bronze
Best Young Arab Player: Achraf Hakimi
Kooora – Best Arab Club: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
Kooora – Best Arab Player: Abderrazak Hamdallah (Al-Nassr FC, Saudi Arabia)
Player Career Award: Miralem Pjanic and Ryan Giggs
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The biog
Name: Sari Al Zubaidi
Occupation: co-founder of Cafe di Rosati
Age: 42
Marital status: single
Favourite drink: drip coffee V60
Favourite destination: Bali, Indonesia
Favourite book: 100 Years of Solitude
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
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Fujairah 130 for 8 in 20 overs
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Newcastle 2-2 Manchester City
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule
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Is it worth it? We put cheesecake frap to the test.
The verdict from the nutritionists is damning. But does a cheesecake frappuccino taste good enough to merit the indulgence?
My advice is to only go there if you have unusually sweet tooth. I like my puddings, but this was a bit much even for me. The first hit is a winner, but it's downhill, slowly, from there. Each sip is a little less satisfying than the last, and maybe it was just all that sugar, but it isn't long before the rush is replaced by a creeping remorse. And half of the thing is still left.
The caramel version is far superior to the blueberry, too. If someone put a full caramel cheesecake through a liquidiser and scooped out the contents, it would probably taste something like this. Blueberry, on the other hand, has more of an artificial taste. It's like someone has tried to invent this drink in a lab, and while early results were promising, they're still in the testing phase. It isn't terrible, but something isn't quite right either.
So if you want an experience, go for a small, and opt for the caramel. But if you want a cheesecake, it's probably more satisfying, and not quite as unhealthy, to just order the real thing.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Five famous companies founded by teens
There are numerous success stories of teen businesses that were created in college dorm rooms and other modest circumstances. Below are some of the most recognisable names in the industry:
- Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg and his friends started Facebook when he was a 19-year-old Harvard undergraduate.
- Dell: When Michael Dell was an undergraduate student at Texas University in 1984, he started upgrading computers for profit. He starting working full-time on his business when he was 19. Eventually, his company became the Dell Computer Corporation and then Dell Inc.
- Subway: Fred DeLuca opened the first Subway restaurant when he was 17. In 1965, Mr DeLuca needed extra money for college, so he decided to open his own business. Peter Buck, a family friend, lent him $1,000 and together, they opened Pete’s Super Submarines. A few years later, the company was rebranded and called Subway.
- Mashable: In 2005, Pete Cashmore created Mashable in Scotland when he was a teenager. The site was then a technology blog. Over the next few decades, Mr Cashmore has turned Mashable into a global media company.
- Oculus VR: Palmer Luckey founded Oculus VR in June 2012, when he was 19. In August that year, Oculus launched its Kickstarter campaign and raised more than $1 million in three days. Facebook bought Oculus for $2 billion two years later.
The biog
Name: Mohammed Imtiaz
From: Gujranwala, Pakistan
Arrived in the UAE: 1976
Favourite clothes to make: Suit
Cost of a hand-made suit: From Dh550
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