Fifteen Americans living in the Spanish province of Granada got together on the warm, sunny day of Jan. 26 to celebrate the inauguration of the new Granada Precinct of Democrats Abroad Spain. We were joined at the Los Naranjos del Valle restaurant in the Lecrin Valley village of Melegís by former DA Spain chair Jim Mercereau, who came all the way from Madrid for the occasion, and Helen Morgan, chair of the Sevilla chapter, who also took a long trip from home just to be with us.

We had representatives from what have emerged as three distinctive population hubs for Americans in the province — the capital itself, the Costa Tropical and the mountain region of Las Alpujarras. We ranged from relative newcomers to Spain to others who have lived here for decades; some just learning Spanish and one so well versed in it that she taught translation at the University of Granada for many years.
In his introductory remarks, Precinct Chair Albion Land reminded the gathering that we have just one job this year — to keep Joe Biden in the White House, to increase the Democratic majority in the Senate and to flip the House of Representatives blue, as well as take that Blue Wave all the way down through state and local elections. Each of us have our own talents and skills, but each has something to contribute by way of volunteering and fund raising.
After Jim shared a brief history of Democrats Abroad, Helen elaborated on the volunteering opportunities, focusing particularly on the Phonebanking campaign now under way to remind Democrats in Spain to register to vote and request their ballots. We also talked about the upcoming Global Presidential Primary, outreach to American college students coming to Spain, and voter assistance activities in general.
So please take this as an invitation to all Americans living in Granada to join with us in this challenging year and beyond, and hopefully have a bit of fun in the process.
You can contact Albion at [email protected]. You are also invited to join our Facebook group, Democrat Voters in Granada.