Israeli Americans vote Clinton, but Obama wins global primary

24 February 2007

By Daphna Berman

Senator Hillary Clinton won the Israel vote in the Democrats Abroad Global Primary, but was defeated in the international race by Senator Barack Obama, who captured the majority of the votes cast by American expatriates who voted in the Democratic Global Primary.

The Democrats Abroad Global Primary was held earlier this month, between February 5 and 12. Balloting took place by mail, fax, and at voting centers in over 30 countries, including Israel. For the first time, voting was also available on the Internet through a secure online voting system

Ballots were cast from 164 countries and territories, from Antarctica to Zambia, according to Democrats Abroad statement. American citizens living outside the U.S. who joined Democrats Abroad, an official arm of the Democratic Party, were eligible to take part.

In Israel, which is home to an estimated 200,000 U.S. citizens, Hillary received 54 percent of the total vote among members of Democrats Abroad. Obama captured 45 percent of the vote in Israel.

In the global race though, Obama captured 66 percent, compared to Clinton?s 33 percent.

According to reports, Clinton also won the country vote in the Dominican Republic and the Philippines.

These results determine the allocation of 4.5 delegate votes at the Democratic National Convention, set to take place in August . Senator Obama won 2.5 delegate votes and Senator Clinton two delegate votes. A further 2.5 votes will be determined at the Democrats Abroad Global Convention in April. In addition, Democrats Abroad holds four superdelegate votes.

Republicans, meanwhile, do not hold a global primary.

"With the U.S. image so badly damaged by the present Administration, American Democrats living overseas were eager to have their voices heard," Christine Schon Marques, International Chair of Democrats Abroad, said from Geneva. "Across the board we saw an enormous diversity in participation, including many first-time voters."