🌟From your 2023-25 DAJ National Officers!
Over the weekend of May 31st - June 2nd, the DAJ Executive Committee participated in the Democrats Abroad Global Convention. We, along with many other electors from DA country committees across the globe, voted on DA DNC members and DA Delegates for the DNC Convention and approved the 2024 DA Platform. A big shout-out and thanks to our members in Japan who served on the Platform Committee: Sarajean Rossitto, Jessica Awanohara, and Malcolm Adams.
In addition to the results from the Global Convention, see below for continued information about the DAJ Special Election, upcoming events in Japan and globally, voter assistance and trainings, and actions to take.
As always, sign up to volunteer here and donate to DAJ here.
💗Your 2023-2025 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
2024 DAJ Special Election
Time is almost out to submit nominations for the 2024 DAJ Special Election. Nominations must be received by today (Wednesday June 12th) at 11:59pm JST.
Members may nominate themselves or another member by sending an e-mail to [email protected]. 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.
As a reminder, nominations are for the following positions:
- National Secretary
- Member-at-Large, Eastern/Northern Honshu
- Member-at-Large, Western/Southern Honshu
- Member-at-Large, Hokkaido
- Member-at-Large, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa
The Nominations and Election Committee has also announced the time and location of the Election Meeting, where ballots will be counted.
- Date: Monday July 8th, 2024
- Time: 7pm JST
- Location: Online via Webex
- Webex link: https://democratsabroad.webex.com/webappng/sites/democratsabroad/meeting/info/5d01934df2daa5bf9e3a7430fd1745a8
- Webex password: dems
See the Announcement of Democrats Abroad Japan 2024 Special Election news post for further information.
Kanto June Speakeasy - CANCELED
The Kanto Chapter’s Speakeasy for this month (which would have been scheduled for Thursday June 13th) will not be held.
Juneteenth Celebration in Kyoto
Sunday, June 16th 2pm - 5pm
North side of Demachi Bridge on the West side of Kamo River
Join DAJ in Kyoto for a picnic to celebrate Juneteenth. This event will feature a fantastic playlist honoring the many musical contributions of African-Americans, soul food and tacos, and a great opportunity to build community. This event will take place in the same location as last month’s Cinco de Mayo event.
RSVP here.
Preconceived Film Screening
Sunday June 16th at 3:30pm
Online
The DA Global Black Caucus and DA Global Women’s Caucus are hosting an AP friendly time screening of the documentary “Preconceived”, which exposes the deceptive practices of fake pregnancy centers.
For further information and to RSVP, check the event details here.
Independence Day Potluck in Kanto
Saturday, July 6th 3pm - 6pm
Yoyogi Park
Come celebrate Independence Day with a Fourth of July potluck picnic on Saturday, July 6 from 3pm ~ 6pm at Yoyogi Park! More details on the location to be provided closer to the event.
The event is completely BYOB, but someone from the DAJ Kanto team will arrive early to claim the area. Bringing any blankets/tarps if you have any would be highly appreciated!
This event is open to all so feel free to bring your friends (DAJ members or not)! In the event it rains the event will not go on.
RSVP here.
Nagoya Summer Trivia Night
Thursday, July 25th 7:30pm
Come for our first-ever DAJ Tokai Trivia Night! Teams will match knowledge of US-themed trivia for fun & prizes, only ¥1000 per person!
RSVP here.
How Vote in 2024 from Japan
REQUEST YOUR 2024 ABSENTEE BALLOT TODAY
Remember! As an overseas voter, your voter registration and ballot requests must be filed at the beginning of each calendar year so that you can vote in every election in 2024. Visit VoteFromAbroad.org to request your ballot. Ask for your ballot to be sent by email. Plan to vote in your state’s Democratic primary for Senate, State Representative or other non-presidential offices? It may be coming up fast! VotefromAbroad.org has all the state-by-state info you need. 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
2024 Democrats Abroad Global Convention RECAP
During the Global Convention, three candidates were elected as Global DNC members. The winners were:
- Alan Cheilik (United Kingdom)
- Art Schankler (Serbia)
- Kenton Barnes (Germany)
Also elected were three Global DA Delegates, one PLEO Delegate (Party Leaders and Elected Officials), and one Alternate Delegate. The results were
- Global DA Delegates
- Liz Voss (Switzerland)
- Christina Skovsgaard (Norway)
- Hyungjoon Jin (Guatemala)
- PLEO Delegate
- Jennifer Rakow-Stepper (RVC EMEA)
- Alternate Delegate
- Malaika Kusumi (Germany)
The 2024 Democrats Abroad Platform as approved by electors at the Global Convention can be viewed here.
To view the creative process of how this platform came to be, please check this document or watch this video.
All of the platform information has also been rounded up on this page.
Big thank you again to all who worked on and contributed to the platform, and congratulations to the new elected DNC members and Delegates!
“What To Know About Renunciation” Webinar
Tuesday June 18th at 2am
Online
The DA Taxation Task Force is holding a free Zoom webinar to educate Americans abroad on the renunciation process and on resources that can be used to maintain a normal financial life abroad. This webinar will be recorded and anyone who RSVPs will be emailed the recording after the event.
Check the event link here for more details and to RSVP.
*ACTION* Tell the IRS your pension isn’t a foreign trust today!
Until July 8th
The IRS is looking to revise rules on how retirement plans are taxed and reported, and they have opened up a comment period until July 8th. For information how to leave a comment and further details, please check here.
Zoom the Vote
Sundays at 4pm-5pm
Need help registering/requesting your 2024 overseas ballot? Get 1:1 live voter help through Zoom the Vote! Sessions will be held every Sunday at 4pm-5pm, but this Sunday June 16th will be held from 5pm-6pm, following the "Preconceived" screening.
Access the zoom link here.
June Voter Assistance Trainings
Various days and times
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. Details here.
🌟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!