🌟From your DAJ National Officers!
Last week, our Democrats Abroad delegation participated in the 2024 Democratic National Convention to nominate Vice President Kamala Harris as candidate of the Democratic Party for President and Governor Tim Walz for Vice President. Were you able to watch the convention? The excitement was incredible, and the energy keeps moving forward!
This newsletter is packed with volunteer trainings, opportunities to help with efforts, and events both social and political. Ready to do something? Check below!
And as always, if you haven’t done so already, register and request your ballot, and check your registration/request with your local election official!
💗Your Executive Committee
Anna (Chair), Eric (Vice Chair), and Raymond (Treasurer)
DA Japan Events: https://www.democratsabroad.org/jp_events
Vote from Abroad https://www.votefromabroad.org
🌟DAJ and DA Asia-Pacific News and Upcoming Events
DAJ 2024 National Secretary Special Election
Nominations are currently open for the DAJ 2024 National Secretary Special Election. In order to join the election process, members may nominate themselves or another member by sending an e-mail to [email protected] no later than 11:59pm Japan time on Sept 7th (Sat), 2024. All nomination emails should include the following:
- Complete name of the person nominated.
- Contact information including phone number and email address.
- Name of the nominated position.
The Nominations and Election Committee (NEC) would also like to announce the time and location of ballot counting:
Ballot counting will occur on September 30th (Mon) 19:00: Ballot counting on Webex and is open to observers.
https://democratsabroad.webex.com/democratsabroad/e.php?MTID=m96c00998e0788b22f9b1171ac4ddb95d
Meeting number = 23004750434
Meeting Password = dems
Please see the Announcement of Democrats Abroad Japan 2024 National Secretary Election news post for more details, including the election calendar.
Call for Volunteers for Outreach Point Persons
We are looking for point persons to help with outreach in Japan to specific groups, such as military, university students, English teachers, and LGBTQ+. For anyone who is interested and/or would like more details, please send an email to [email protected].
Asia-Pacific Volunteer Meet Up and GOTV Basics
Saturdays, 4pm - 6pm
Virtual
For new members and volunteers! Meet other voters, find out more about Democrats Abroad, discuss how you can make a difference in 2024, and learn the basics of Get Out The Vote (GOTV)! The first hour will be a new member and volunteer meet up, and the second hour will be a GOTV workshop. Currently being held every Saturday through September. For more details and to RSVP, check the links for the specific dates below:
August 31st / September 7th / September 21st / September 28th
Kanto Chapter September Speakeasy
Thursday, September 12th, 7:30pm
Aldgate Pub, Center Gai, Shibuya
Every 2nd Thursday of the month, join fellow chapter members at the Aldgate Pub in Shibuya for good company and conversation. Learn more about Democrats Abroad Japan, talk politics, elections—or not! Bring friends and make new ones!
RSVP here
VOTING MATTERS: An intersectional discussion
Tuesday, September 17th, 8pm-9:30pm
Virtual via Webex
There are so many reasons to vote! Join DA Japan and DA Korea for a collaborative session with guest speaker Glenn D. Magpantay (recently appointed Commissioner at the US Commission on Civil Rights and long-time AAPI and LGBTQ organizer and community leader) and DA Asia-Pacific leadership, looking at the ways our life experiences and communities have shaped our individual policy preferences and vice versa. Schedule:
- 8:00 Welcome
- 8:05 Why vote while living overseas?
- 8:10 Introduce speakers and the themes of the evening
- 8:15 Discussion with our guest speaker
- 8:35 Discussion with DA leaders and guest speaker
- 8:55 Open Q / A
- 9:15 The basics of overseas voting
- 9:20 Wrap-up comments
- 9:30 Event Ends
For more details and to RSVP, please check the event page here.
Tokai Chapter: Global DA Day Evening hangout!
Saturday, September 21st 6:30pm
Bar Mexigan, Nagoya, Aichi
For Global DA Day, this will be a fun, casual evening with drinks and Mexican food just outside Nagoya Station: Bar Mexigan. Check here for the location.
RSVP here
Kansai Chapter September Speakeasy
Thursday, September 26th 7pm - 9pm
Blarney Stone, Umeda, Osaka
Join the Kansai Chapter every 4th Thursday at Blarney Stone in Umeda for the monthly Speakeasy.
Address: 530-0057 Osaka, Kita Ward, Sonezaki, 2 Chome−10−15 曽根崎センタービル 6F
Come with friends or make new ones!
RSVP here
Phonebanking Training
Various Dates
Japan Friendly Times: August 31st 7pm, September 2nd 7pm, September 5th 7pm, September 22nd 6pm
Virtual
Phonebanking is one of the easiest and most effective ways to turn out the vote of Democrats Abroad around the globe. Whether you’re a new caller or an experienced caller who needs a refresher, welcome! Learn how to make calls from the comfort of your own laptop at your own time, and join the campaigns for 2024.
All training information (including online trainings) can be viewed here. (recorded trainings also available)
Voter Assistance Trainings
Various Dates/Times (more trainings to be scheduled)
Asia-Pacific Friendly Times: September 1st 3pm
Virtual
Guide members through the process of voting from abroad this election year. You’ll learn to provide guidance on ballot request and return, the Intercom Voter Help Desk, or Voter Assistance Zoom Rooms. More information and online trainings can be viewed here. (recorded trainings also available)
Live Voter Support
Various Dates/Times
Japan Friendly Times: Sundays at 4pm-5pm
Virtual
Need help registering/requesting your 2024 overseas ballot? Get 1:1 support via Zoom through Live Voter Support! Find all available times or request an appointment here
How Vote in 2024 from Japan
REQUEST YOUR 2024 ABSENTEE BALLOT TODAY
Remember! As a U.S. citizen, you have the right to vote in U.S. Federal elections, but deadlines to register may be approaching fast. Visit VoteFromAbroad.org to register and request your ballot today. VotefromAbroad.org also has all the state-by-state info you need, such as deadlines and ballot return methods. And for a one-page roundup of how to vote from Japan, visit our dedicated page on the DAJ website here. Tell your friends and family!
🌟DA Global News and Upcoming Events
Phonebanking Campaigns
Now through November
Virtual
Global phonebanking campaigns in Democrats Abroad began on August 14th and will continue through the election. We need all hands on deck to reach every DA member. Calls can be made in your own home at your own time. To help reach and mobilize these voters, log into your CallHub account and check available campaigns here. For more information, check the Phonebanking Info for Our Callers page.
Celebrate Women’s Equality Day
Sunday, September 1st 10pm JST
Virtual
Join DA Women’s Caucus in joyful celebration of Women’s Equality Day by taking action! Experts will be on hand to:
- Answer questions about ballots, voting procedures by state, and what to do if something goes wrong.
- Help members make their own short “Why I’m voting” video for social media.
- Update on efforts to get the ERA published and suggest actions we all can take to make it happen.
Check the event page for more details and to RSVP.
Americans Abroad for Harriz-Walz
Friday, September 6th 1am JST
Virtual
Democrats Abroad is excited to announce the Americans Abroad for Harris-Walz Zoom call, to carry the incredible energy from the 2024 Democratic National Convention to US citizens living around the world! On the call, you’ll hear from special guests, elected officials, and other Americans abroad on why they are supporting the Harris-Walz ticket and provide concrete actions we can take to DO SOMETHING to elect them.
RSVP here
Share Your American Tax Horror Story with Congress
Before September 9th
The Democrats Abroad Taxation Task Force will be meeting with members of Congress in Washington DC face-to-face from September 9-13. They want to hand deliver your tax and financial access horror story to Congressional staff and Members of Congress. Share your story by filling out the form here.
*Tiny Action* Ask your Dem House Candidate where they stand on American Abroad issues
Until September 21st
From the DA Global Taxation Force: Contact your House Democratic candidate to fill the Americans abroad questionnaire before overseas ballots go out. Click here for instructions.
🌟Volunteer, Donate
- Interested in helping out? Sign up HERE:
- Support our events and GOTV activities here. Every yen counts!
🌟DAJ on Social Media
Tune in and help spread the word on DAJ!
DA Japan - representing US Voters in Japan.
Together, We Win!
http://www.democratsabroad.org/jp