Americans in the Philippines help select Democratic Presidential Candidate

• U.S. Democrats living in Metro Manila can vote in person for their favorite candidate on March 5 at a Global Presidential Primary voting site

• Americans living elsewhere in the Philippines can vote now by postal ballot, email or fax

• The Philippines is one of more than 40 countries around the world hosting in-person voting centers

Democrats Abroad Philippines, the official arm of the Democratic Party outside the United States, has launched its campaign to help Americans citizens living abroad to nominate the U.S. Democratic Party’s Presidential nominee. (1)

Any Democrat living abroad (2) can take part in the Global Presidential Primary by joining Democrats Abroad via its webpage or the dedicated voter registration/ballot request tool, VoteFromAbroad.org. Membership is free.

There are two opportunities for Americans in the Philippines to vote in the Global Presidential Primary:

• On March 5, Democrats living in Metro Manila can vote in person at a dedicated Global Presidential Primary voting site in Ortigas Center from 9-5.

• From now until March 8, Democrats can vote remotely via postal ballot, email attachment or fax. Details at www.democratsabroad.org. (3)

After March 8, the votes of Democrats living in over 190 countries worldwide will be counted. Any candidate receiving 15% or more of the primary votes cast will be awarded delegates in proportion to their support in the Global Presidential Primary.

Democrats Abroad will have 21 delegate votes at the Democratic Convention, held in Philadelphia on July 25-28, 2016. (4) The presidential primary season is beginning in the US starting with Iowa on February 1.

Unlike the Republicans, Democrats Abroad’s Global Presidential Primary allows Americans in the Philippines to have a voice in who will be the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, whether remotely or at dedicated voting center in Ortigas.

John Boyd, Chair of Democrats Abroad Philippines, said: "There are more than 300,000 US citizens living in the Philippines, and about 5-6 million living abroad worldwide. That is considerably greater than the population of many states in the US. These people need a voice. Democrats Abroad can provide that voice through votes, delegates at the national convention, and resolutions.” Democrats Abroad Philippines will have its annual general meeting on Saturday, February 13 in Makati from 2 – 5 pm. All interested Democrats are invited to attend.

For more information, contact Democrats Abroad Philippines at [email protected].

Notes

1. Democrats Abroad is unique: unlike the Republicans, Democrats Abroad's leadership is elected by the organization's members, and only Democrats Abroad holds a dedicated primary, which allows the members living in more than 190 countries around the world the opportunity to record their presidential preference and directly affect the Democratic Party’s choice of its nominee.

1. To be eligible, voters must be US citizens and 18 as of November 8. Democrats living overseas can vote for a Presidential candidate in either the Global Presidential Primary or their home state’s equivalent via absentee ballots. They cannot vote in both.

1. Democrats Abroad holds a combination of regional and worldwide caucus meetings from April 12-May 13, 2016, to choose who will be the delegates to the Democratic National Convention. These meetings will culminate in Democrats Abroad's Global Convention in Berlin on May 14-15, 2016

1. Democrats Abroad will have a total of 21 delegate votes at the Democratic National Convention. The thirteen elected delegates will be pledged to a candidate. Eight more will be Democrats Abroad's members on the Democratic National Committee. These eight delegates each have half a vote, therefore giving Democrats Abroad a total of 17 delegate votes at the convention. A detailed summary of the process of selecting delegates as well as our Diversity Program for those who wish to run to be a delegate can be found at our new website, democratsabroad.org.