Democrats Abroad Australia wishes you happy holidays and sends best wishes for all good things in 2012!

Three important things:

1.  REQUEST YOUR 2012 BALLOT ANY TIME AFTER 1 JANUARY 2012

To register to vote go to www.votefromabroad.org

Why you MUST register/re-register to vote:

The MOVE Act (Military and Overseas Voters Empowerment Act) of 2009 requires voters to submit a fresh voter registration application and ballot request for every year in which they intend to vote.  There is no longer a standing request that will cover a 2 year election cycle, then re-new for another 2 years if you vote.

The MOVE Act imposes this new requirement but it also does some good things for overseas voters, including requiring states to provide for the electronic transmission of a blank ballot 45 days prior to the election and removing requirements such as having ballots notarised or filled out using a No 2 pencil.

2.  EVEN THOUGH WE ALREADY HAVE OUR PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE FOR THE 2012 ELECTION THE PRIMARIES STILL MATTER

Although the state primaries are not relevant this year for Democrats choosing a presidential candidate, there are many issues on state ballots where your vote is critically important: recall elections; petitions on the repeal of the Obama healthcare legislation; gay marriage questions; and this year's favourite for GOP governors/state legislatures, the "personhood" amendment. You will want your voice to be heard on these critical ballot initiatives so we urge you to request your ballot in enough time to vote in your state's primary.

Critical early primaries:

Iowa caucuse - 3 January

New Hampshire primary - 10 January

South Carolina primary - 21 January

Florida primary - 31 January

To find out when your state has its primary election and for other voting information go to www.democratsabroad.org/vote

3. 2012 GLOBAL PRIMARY AND 2012 DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION

Even though we will not be needing our Global Primary to settle the vote on a landmark battle between two stellar and historic candidates for the Democratic presidential nominee, like we did in 2008, our Global Primary is still important.  It is a critical guide for the establishment of Democrats Abroad delegates to the 2012 Democratic National Convention happening the 2nd week of September in Charlotte, NC.  If you ever harbored ambitions to attend a Democratic National Convention then consider entering the process to become a member of the Democrats Abroad delegation.  It all starts with the Democrats Abroad Global Primary happening 1-6 May.  We need as many votes as possible to be cast so that our region gets as great a proportion of the delegation as possible.

Democrats Abroad Australia will host voting centres in Melbourne and Sydney.  Voters who cannot attend a voting centre in person can vote by postal ballots.  Look forward to announcements about the Global Primary early next year.

In order to participate in the Global Primary you must abstain from casting a vote for the president in your state's primary.  You can vote for all other offices and on all other ballot questions.

Please contact me at any time with questions.

2012 will be a busy year for Democrats Abroad and we hope to provide you all the support you need to ensure your ballot successfully casts a vote to help secure a second term in office for President Obama.

Wishing you and yours all the best for a joyful holiday season.

Democratically yours,

Carmelan

Chair

Democrats Abroad Australia

0403 897 489

cpolce@tpg.com.au