With the NHL season on hold, Victoria bar owners and restaurateurs are lamenting the loss of a guaranteed seat-filler.

But another bloodsport could attract an equally passionate crowd, should licensed establishments choose to deviate from sports programming.

The first of three U.S. presidential debates between Democratic President Barack Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney takes place tonight. The remaining contests continue through this month.

B次元官网网址淲e thought weB次元官网网址檇 have a party to celebrate,B次元官网网址� said Giles Hogya, chair of Democrats Abroad, Victoria chapter.

The organization, which helps register expatriate U.S. citizens to vote, is holding a fundraiser and viewing party in the Maple Room of the Sticky Wicket pub tonight.

B次元官网网址淎lthough we are a political organization, our mandate is to register American voters,B次元官网网址� Hogya said. Hundreds of U.S. citizens live on Vancouver Island, he noted.

Through the website votefromabroad.org, expats can find information on registering to vote in their home state, a process that often differs between states. The U.S. government also has an easy-to-follow website for expat voters, www.fvap.gov.

B次元官网网址淢any AmericansB次元官网网址� votes may be disqualified because the new law says you must register for every single federal election, not just once,B次元官网网址� Hogya said.

Democrats Abroad Victoria held a Super Saturday in the spring from Victoria to Campbell River, registering roughly 200 U.S. citizens to vote in the presidential election.

The group then initiated a campaign in August to target U.S. voters living in Canada from 11 key swing states.

B次元官网网址淣o Republican candidate has ever won the White House without Ohio,B次元官网网址� Hogya said.

B次元官网网址淲e have sent thousands of votes to swing states. And IB次元官网网址檓 going to be looking ... to see if our efforts have borne fruit.B次元官网网址�

He attended the Democratic National Convention in North Carolina earlier this month and said the national party is B次元官网网址渧ery consciousB次元官网网址� of the fact that Canada can deliver thousands of votes.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e major player,B次元官网网址� Hogya said.

Ontario-based Republicans Abroad Canada has no active chapter in B.C., said spokesperson Kelli White, but the streamlining of online voter registration has made the organizationB次元官网网址檚 efforts to inform expats much easier.

B次元官网网址淭he website, fvap.gov, even allows you to download an emergency absentee ballot in case your official absentee ballot doesnB次元官网网址檛 arrive from your voting state,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲ith all of the accessibility and streamlining that technology has allowed, the number of absentee votes in almost every state has increased.B次元官网网址�

Tonight's presidential debate is the first of three, with a vice-presidential debate Oct. 11. The next commander-in-chief debates happen Oct. 16 and Oct. 22.

There are Democrats Abroad chapters in 51 countries and members in more than 120 countries, according to Hogya.

For more information on Democrats Abroad and to find out about future viewing parties, email davictoriachapter@gmail.com.

Find information on Republicans Abroad at republicansabroad.ca.

dpalmer@vicnews.com