AMERICAN CITIZENS LIVING IN AUSTRALIA: VOTE IN THE 2016 GLOBAL PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY (GPP)

From January 11 to March 8 Democrats living all over the world, including Australia, will participate in the Presidential Nominating Process of the Democratic Party, together with our fellow citizens living in the United States. Only the Democratic Party gives this opportunity to its members living overseas. Through our Global Presidential Primary, we will help choose the 2016 Democratic Nominee for President of the United States.

WHY VOTE IN THE GLOBAL PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY?

Watch the 5 minute video explaining how and why! 

Download your ballot (to vote by email scan, fax or post by 8 March).  

Don't like your income tax being taxed twice? Not a fan of the cumbersome effects of FATCA (the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act)? The more people who vote in the GPP, the more power we have within the Democratic Party and with government officials to lobby for changes that affect overseas Americans!

Democrats Abroad will be sending 21 delegates to the Democratic National Convention, with the number of pledged delegates proportional to the results of the GPP. 

WHO CAN VOTE IN THE GPP?

Any American citizen living abroad, who will be at least 18 years old on Election Day 2016, and who is a member of Democrats Abroad is eligible to participate, on the condition of not having voted (or intending to vote) for a presidential candidate in any other state primary in 2016.

HOW DO I JOIN DEMOCRATS ABROAD AND WHAT DOES DEMOCRATS ABROAD MEMBERSHIP ENTAIL?

Just visit www.democratsabroad.org/join and complete the form in a matter of minutes.  By signing up, you are becoming a member of the U.S. Democratic Party and an official part of its overseas community.  There are no membership fees. Country chapters hold all kinds of events and meetings, as well as communication about elections and issues.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I'M ALREADY A MEMBER OF DEMOCRATS ABROAD?

Sign in at https://democratsabroad.nationbuilder.com/login to check.  As DA has a new website you may need to activate your account on the new site. Be sure your contact details are current so we can easily reach you by phone and email to remind you about important things like absentee ballot deadlines.  (If you are getting emails from DA, you are a member.  Some people choose not to receive emails but are still counted as members.

HOW CAN I VOTE IN THE GPP?

More than 300 members voted in person in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.  Only remote voting via email, fax or mail is now available through 8 March.

1. Download your ballot form 
   
   
2. Follow the instructions carefully!  Here are some helpful hints:
   1. Sign and date the ballot by 8 March 2016
   2. Send in your ballot: 
       i.    Email:  Scan by 8 March your completed ballot to [email protected] 
      This will send your ballot directly to the DA International Chair, not to the Australia Chair.  See the ballot form for more insturctions.
   3. ii.    Fax:  Send by 8 March your completed ballot to +1-888-958-6739
      iii.    Mail:  Your completed ballot must be RECEIVED (not postmarked) by 13 March:
      1. International Chair Democrats Abroad
          Stettenerstr. 61 83209 Prien, Germany

CAN I VOTE IN MY HOME STATE PRIMARY AND IF SO, HOW?

Yes and No.  If you vote for a presidential candidate in our Global Primary, then you cannot vote for a presidential candidate in your home state primary.   However, you may vote for Senator, Congressional Representative, Governor, state reps, etc. in your home state primary.  First, find your state's requirements and deadlines. Second, request an absentee ballot.  

IF I VOTE IN THE GLOBAL PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY, DOES THAT MEAN I VOTE THROUGH DEMOCRATS ABROAD RATHER THAN MY STATE IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTION?

No!  Members of Democrats Abroad have the option to select the Democratic candidate through Democrats Abroad rather than their state ONLY during the primaries.  Voting in November is still done through your state and you still have to register and request a ballot from your state.

WHAT INFORMATION IS REQUIRED ON MY BALLOT?

Your full legal name, date of birth, your country of residence, address of residence in France (or the Country where you live and in which you are a member of DA), voting address in the US (or at the very least, the state in which you vote), and if you are returning it by email, your email address.  You must also sign and date your ballot for it to be valid.

WHY DO YOU NEED SO MUCH INFORMATION?  ISN’T IT MEANT TO BE SECRET?

This is a partisan election for a political party, not a federal election.   By signing your ballot, you are attesting that you are a properly qualified party member in good standing, and that you haven’t voted in any other Primary election.   And if the results are challenged and we are called upon to provide proof of the validity of a ballot, your signed attestation will be that proof.  We will note only that you voted, as is the case at any voting station in any election. 

When will the results of the Global Presidential Primary be announced?

Results for both Australia and for the entire Democrats Abroad will be announced 21 March.

I want to vote in a Republicans Abroad Primary.  Can you help me out?

No.  The GOP does not have a primary for its members abroad.  The Democrats Abroad Global Presidential Primary is the easiest and simplest opportunity for Americans living abroad to participate in the nominating process of either party.  Besides, at this point, wouldn’t you really rather be a Democrat?  Join us at www.democratsabroad.org/join

The specific question I have hasn’t been answered on this FAQ.  What do I do?

Write to [email protected] with your question and Democrats Abroad will get back to you with an answer as soon as possible.