Sat Sep 14 07:47:32 UTC 2024: ## NASA Astronauts to Vote in US Presidential Election from Space

**Houston, Texas** – NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) until February due to a Starliner spacecraft malfunction, have announced they will be casting their votes in the upcoming November 5th US presidential election.

“It’s a very important duty that we have as citizens,” said Williams, highlighting the unique opportunity to vote from space. Both astronauts participated in a press conference from the ISS, where they’ve resided since June, after their planned 8-day mission was disrupted.

Williams, 58, and Wilmore, 61, revealed that they have already requested their ballots and praised NASA for making the voting process seamless for astronauts. While they declined to disclose their chosen candidate, they emphasized the importance of exercising their civic duty.

Voting from space is not a new phenomenon. American astronauts have been casting ballots from space since 1997, when Texas legislation enabled NASA employees to vote remotely. In 2020, astronaut Kate Rubins also voted from the ISS.

Election officials in Harris County, Texas, where NASA’s Johnson Space Station is located, work closely with the agency to facilitate the voting process. Astronauts receive a password-protected PDF with clickable boxes to ensure ballot secrecy.

Despite their extended stay on the ISS due to the Starliner’s malfunction, both Williams and Wilmore expressed gratitude for the experience. They acknowledged the difficulties of seeing their spacecraft depart without them but remain optimistic about their eventual return.

“We’re here with our friends, we’ve got a ride home,” said Williams, who has recently been named the commander of the ISS, highlighting their positive spirits. The astronauts are set to be brought back to Earth by SpaceX’s Crew Dragon in February.

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