Turks in US get date for referendum vote

NEW YORK

Turkish nationals living in the U.S. will be able to vote on April 1-9 in Turkey’s constitutional referendum, the Consul General in New York said Tuesday.

The referendum, being held on April 16 in Turkey, is on proposed constitutional changes that would introduce wide-ranging powers for the president.

“There are 38,407 Turkish voters in and around New York, while this number is more than 100,000 across the U.S.,” Consul General Ertan Yalcin said.

“Turkey’s Supreme Election Council sees all foreign territories as a single electoral region. So, a Turkish citizen living in Boston can also vote for the referendum in New York as well.”

Polling will be open between 9:00 a.m. and 9 p.m. local time, including the weekends, he added.

Consulate officials will ensure the security of the ballots, which will be stored in official bags overnight before being flown to Turkey for counting on April 10.

Reporting by Betul Yuruk; Writing by Ovunc Kutlu