Global Disability Caucus Edition of Connect the Dots

Join us for our first member event on October 30th at 9 am Eastern Time.  Let's Connect, Learn and Lead Together! Please RSVP below!

At our Global Disability Caucus Edition of Connect the Dots, we’ll share information on how and why we were launched and the mission and objectives as we’ve described them to date.  We’ll also do a brief update and then break up into groups so that you can talk with a member of the founding committee to ask questions, share ideas and explore ways to become involved.

“The Future is Accessible!”  Please RSVP below and join us on the 30th!

We invite you to sign up to volunteer or to indicate your interest.  Click here to sign up!  We’re still looking for ASL translators and others who can help build the structure and support to enhance accessibility within DA.  We have a number of events in the works and, of course, lots of work to do.  We also look forward to building a wonderful community of supportive, committed and creative people with disabilities and allies dedicated to furthering our shared goals.

While there is no donation required to attend, we hope you’ll consider a donation of $10 to support our work to elect Democrats who will fight to make a better life for ALL Americans. Please click here to donate!

Ben Wikler has been the Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin since 2019. In his work, most recently for the progressive group MoveOn.org, Ben has played a leadership role in some of the most critical political fights of recent years—from the successful battle to save the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid, to the defense of Dreamers, immigrants, and refugees, to the rise of the Blue Wave of 2018. While working across the country, Ben has always stayed connected to his Wisconsin roots, recently working to help elect the Evers/Barnes ticket and sounding the alarm about the GOP power grab after their victory. Now the Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, he believes we can supercharge grassroots energy in every part of Wisconsin to fight for our progressive agenda, and secure Democratic victories all the way up and down the ticket for years to come. Chair Wikler will speak to us about how Democrats and Wisconsinites Abroad can help these efforts! Join us on Saturday, November 13th (time zones below), to find out how.

RSVP Below for the Link

Ways to stay Connected

Know any Wisconsinites, or people with ties to the Badger state? Please share this with them! Wherever you are in the world, democracy starts at home. Here are some quick ways to stay up-to-date on the newest developments and find out how you can get involved.

• Please join our Wisconsinites Abroad Slack channel and Facebook group
• Write to us at [email protected]

Join the Democrats Abroad State Teams to discuss GOTV plans for the 2022 Midterm elections. From determining which races need the most attention to addressing voter support needs, it's all hands on deck to ensure that we keep Congress and flip even more Senate seats.

We'll also look at critical state races from the Gubernatorial to the State Legislatures with a view to key issues and voting rights. It's also a good to chance to look at the redistricting process and see where we will need to focus our efforts after the lines are redrawn.    

In the meantime, join us on Slack to find out what the states are planning and get involved.

If you have any questions, please write to [email protected].

Join the team working on our newest caucus, the new Global Disability Caucus!

We would like to build the broadest possible membership in this new and important team within Democrats Abroad. 

The mission of the Democrats Abroad Global Disability Caucus is to provide a voice for individuals with disabilities across its global membership. In addition to participating in voter and electoral support work the team will collaborate with allies within the Democratic Party and disability rights groups to ensure that all activities and venues are accessible; advocate on proposed legislation addressing disability rights; and educate and empower Democrats Abroad members and leaders about the issues impacting individuals with disabilities.

In addition to Democrats Abroad members with disabilities, we welcome and encourage the involvement of supporters of our members and our issues.  We hope to form an inclusive, diverse, active and effective community which provides fulfilling experiences for all.

**Please note that if you sign up to volunteer with us, you may be contacted directly via email by Chair, Marnie Delaney.

Fundraiser for Legislative Advocacy

Help Reinstate New Jersey Law for Overseas Voters to Vote in State Elections

 Attention New Jersey Voters

DONATE NOW to help us reach and mobilize New Jersey Democrats Abroad!

New Jersey currently does not allow all overseas voters to vote in state elections, even though overseas voters could vote in state elections before Chris Christie pushed through a change in the law in 2017.

Passing the Equal Rights Amendment is long past due, but fortunately, we as a country have a pathway in front of us to renounce discrimination of equal rights on account of sex. I am proud my home state of Maryland is on the right side of history and passed this in 1972, as well as that Senator Cardin (D-MD) is the Lead Sponsor for Senate Joint Resolution 1 that would remove the ratification deadline.

Growing up in a state that had ratified the ERA prior to my birth meant that I had the law on my side regarding types of discrimination that impact residents of other states. For a period of time while working as an RN I lived in the state of Virginia -- prior to that state’s own historic passage of the ERA. While living there about seven years ago, I experienced domestic violence in a romantic relationship. I knew somewhat that the laws did not protect me as definitively, but I did not find out until later that Virginia had not ratified the Equal Rights Amendment. I ended up having to urgently pack and move my belongings out of the state in over a foot of snow for my own safety. I was extremely fortunate that friends helped me move, and that my proximity to my employer remained about the same. However, many do not have the ability and resources to leave their situations in this way, and ratifying the ERA means the consistent enforcement of restraining orders and equally important measures for victims of domestic violence.

The ERA is an important milestone, but certainly not the termination of the pursuit of equal rights under the law for all Americans. We as a nation must do everything we can to support and reinforce the narrative that any legislation that is complicit with or outright justifies discrimination of any person will be removed from the books entirely. If we can take down statues that embody inequality, we must be compelled to similarly dismantle and rectify codified institutional sexism, misogyny, oppression, and objectification.

The time is NOW to pass the ERA, and I am proud to be able to advocate for equal rights alongside my Democrats Abroad peers.

Maryland Voter, Sweden Resident

Have you ever made a successful change in your life? Perhaps you wanted to exercise more, eat less, or change jobs? Think about the time and attention you dedicated to the process. A lot, right? Change is hard. Creating effective social justice habits, particularly those dealing with issues of power, privilege, supremacy, and leadership is like any lifestyle change. Setting our intentions and adjusting what we spend our time doing is essential. It’s all about building new habits. Sometimes the hardest part is just getting started. The good news is, there’s an abundance of resources just waiting to empower you to be a more effective player in the quest for equity and justice.

About the 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge 

• For 21 days, do one action to further your understanding of power, privilege, supremacy, oppression, and equity 
• This plan includes suggestions for readings, podcasts, videos, observations, and ways to form and deepen community connections. Suggestions are in the following categories:

• Choose one activity per day to further your understanding of power, privilege, supremacy, oppression, and equity.
• Diversify your habits by doing some of each.
• Use the tracking chart provided here to stay on course. You can download the editable spreadsheet or a PDF for printing.
• We think understanding white privilege and white supremacy is a powerful lens into the complexities of doing social justice work, so we’ve focused our resources on that specific issue.

Please read this whole message carefully, since it contains important information to help U.S. voters in Sweden vote this year.

Do you know when you'll be getting your ballot and how to return it? The 2020 presidential election is less than 50 days away. Don't delay!

Voting from abroad has in fact already begun. Some states have sent ballots to overseas voters already and all states will have done so by September 19. 

A lot of important updates since the Democrats Abroad 2020 Global Presidential Primary are here:

📌 Coronavirus Crisis

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Sweden Executive Committee has decided to extend the period during which we will not be having in-person events until April 15th. We continue to assess the situation on an ongoing basis, and will let members know when we will be resuming in-person events. 

We are preparing a number of online/remote events, including for voter registration assistance, and are shifting our focus to outreach via social media and phone banking. 

📌 Voter Registration for 2020

Have you gone to votefromabroad.org yet to request your 2020 absentee ballot?
Don't wait - fill out your Federal Post Card Application form today!

📌 Democrats Abroad Delegates to the 2020 DNC - Applications Now Accepted!

During the week of August 17^th, the Democrats Abroad delegation will join the other state party delegations at the Democratic National Convention to formally choose our nominee for President of the United States.

Any DA member is eligible to run, and the Affirmative Action Committee strongly emphasizes the importance of DA members from historically-underrepresented backgrounds to run as delegate candidates in showing the world the diversity of our Party and our members around the world.

Forms to declare delegates’ candidacy are now available online. Please fill it out as soon as possible and return it no later than April 17^th.

Workshops with Democrats Abroad about becoming a 2020 DNC Delegate are happening on these dates next week:

• Saturday, April 11th at 9 AM CEST &
• Monday, April 13th at 7 PM CEST

📌 Earth Day 50th Anniversary Panel Discussion

On April 21st, the eve of the 50th Anniversary celebration of Earth Day, the Democrats Abroad Global Women's Caucus will present a virtual panel discussion on "Women and the Environment". Sign up to attend here.

📌 FAQs on the Coronavirus Aid, Relief & Economic Safety (CARES) Act from the Democrats Abroad Taxation Tax Force

Democrats Abroad has received many hundreds of emails from members interested in understanding the provisions of the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, their eligibility for support and how and when they might receive it.

In order to prevent delays in our responses, the Democrats Abroad Taxation Tax Force has developed from member emails a FAQs document that aims to address the key concerns we have been hearing. The Taxation Task Force will continue to add to it as needed.

📌 Volunteer with Democrats Abroad Sweden

Did you know that Democrats Abroad is an entirely volunteer-run organization? That means everything we do to reach out to voters abroad is because of the dedication and commitment of our amazing volunteers.

Can you help take action with us?

• Sign up to phonebank from home for 2020 voter registration - phone calls are one of our most effective ways of reaching out to voters 📲
• Making calls costs money! Please consider making a donation today, and pick the "Give to Support Phonebanking" option in the drop-down menu
• Fill out our DA Sweden Volunteer Survey to let us know other ways you can help
  
  

No commitment is too small, and working together has collective power!

Yours,

Beth Landry [They/Them]
Vice Chair, Democrats Abroad Sweden
[email protected]

Welcome to the Europe, Middle East, and Africa Region!

Who We Are 

Democrats Abroad is the official arm of the Democratic Party representing Americans who live outside the US. Our mission is to provide Americans living abroad a voice in our government and to elect Democrats by mobilizing the overseas vote.

Where We Are

The EMEA region has active committees in 26 countries and members in dozens of other countries. Please get in touch with the EMEA Regional Vice Chair Jen Rakow-Stepper if you would like to help us develop a presence in your area. You can benefit from all Democrats Abroad has to offer regardless of where you live!

Our Activities

Our organisation is 100% volunteer-run and membership is free! Organisers in your area would love to get in touch with you to connect you to other members, share our local and global (online) events, and help you vote from abroad. Do you want to get more involved? There are so many ways to make a difference—from individual tiny actions, to get out the vote drives, to social events—the EMEA regional team is here to help. We're always looking for more volunteers. Why not you? Contact us at [email protected]

Don’t miss your chance to vote in-person in Sweden this presidential year! 

The Global Presidential Primary (GPP) is a week-long voting period -- kicking off on March 3, Super Tuesday! -- for Democrats Abroad members to participate in our official party-run presidential primary. We’re holding more than 240 events in 45 countries around the world. We hope you’ll be joining us!

To vote using a remote ballot via email or post, follow the instructions here: https://www.democratsabroad.org/primary. Please also scroll to the bottom of this page for information about our DA Sweden Ballot Assistance Events, as well as some of our Frequently Asked Questions about voting in the GPP.

We’re thrilled to announce event details for 9 Democrats Abroad Sweden Voting Centers.
Click on the dates below to go to the event pages for each Voting Center:

GOTHENBURG

Tuesday, March 3
2:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Saturday, March 7
1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

HALMSTAD

Thursday, March 5
4:30 PM to 7:00 PM

KALMAR

Sunday, March 8
12:00 PM to 3:00 PM

MALMÖ

Tuesday, March 3
5:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Saturday, March 7
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

STOCKHOLM

Friday, March 6
11:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Saturday, March 7
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

UPPSALA

Thursday, March 5
10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

We will also have 3 Ballot Assistance Events here in Sweden. Ballot Assistance Events are available for voters to receive help registering to vote, signing up to join Democrats Abroad, as well as ensuring their remotely-voted ballots have all the required information. There won't be a Ballot Box, but our volunteers will be ready to help you navigate the 2020 Democrats Abroad Global Presidential Primary in almost any other way!

Click below to go to the event pages for each Ballot Assistance Event:

BORÅS

Saturday, March 7
1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

JÖNKÖPING

Sunday, March 8
1:30 PM to 4:30 PM

UDDEVALLA

Saturday, March 7
1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Frequently Asked Questions you may have about the GPP:

"Am I eligible?"

If you’re a Democrats Abroad member and you haven’t voted (or plan to vote) in any other 2020 state presidential primary/caucus, you’re eligible to vote in the Global Presidential Primary.

"What if I can’t join a voting event in person?"
If you can’t join us at our events in Sweden, you can vote remotely. Look for your primary ballot in your inbox on February 18, or download it from democratsabroad.org starting on Feb 18, as well.

"Do votes in the GPP count? Why should I participate in the GPP instead of voting in my state’s presidential primary?"

Yes your vote counts! In fact, you could even say that votes in the GPP count even more. Tens of thousands of people will participate in the global primary, but millions will vote in your home state. That means that your vote in the Global Presidential Primary is more powerful than voting in the California primary. In fact, it’s 4 times more powerful!

"I vote in California. Can I vote in the Global Presidential Primary and the California primary?"

You can only vote in a presidential primary once. If you vote in the global primary and want to vote in California for the down-ballot primary races (like for your congressperson), you can! Just skip the presidential section on your California ballot.

"Where can I ask further questions?"
Please email [email protected] for voting-related questions, and Info-Sweden@democratsabroad.org for other questions.

P.S. Help us spread the word! Consider liking and sharing our social media posts about the GPP!

Yours,

Beth Landry

Vice Chair, Democrats Abroad Sweden