Join us on Saturday, March 7th between 12:30 pm-6 pm to cast your ballot for the Democratic Presidential Primary candidate. We look forward to seeing you there! 

Volunteer Training: Sunday, February 16th, 11:30 am-1 pm, at Der Andechser im Ratskeller, Schlossplatz 6, 65183 Wiesbaden.

We need volunteers to help at the Wiesbaden voting center for the Global Presidential Primary with setup, greeting, registration, ballot box observing, ballot counting, and clean-up. Shifts are approx. two hours, but you are welcome to sign up for multiple shifts. We are offering a training session on Sunday, February 16th, at the polling location. 

Sign up for a shift on Saturday, March 7: http://volunteersignup.org/C8WX9

Don’t miss your chance to vote in person this presidential year! Join thousands of US citizens like you, living abroad, who will participate in this year’s Global Presidential Primary through Democrats Abroad. Below are some frequently asked questions.

Who is eligible to participate?

Democrats Abroad has just a few requirements for voting in the primary:

• Be abroad and be a U.S. citizen
• Be a member of Democrats Abroad
• Be 18 as of November 3, 2020
• Not have voted, or plan to vote, in any other 2020 state presidential primary

What if I’m not a member of Democrats Abroad?

You can sign up today, or on the day of the primary.

I can’t attend the event but want to vote. What can I do?

If you can’t join us in person, as long as you’re a member of Democrats Abroad, you can also vote remotely. Look for your primary ballot in your inbox on February 18.

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

You can only vote in the presidential primary once. That means that if you vote in the GPP but also want to vote in California for the down-ballot primary races (such as for your congressperson), you can! Just skip the presidential question on your California ballot.

I have already received my overseas absentee ballots for this year from California. Why should I participate in the GPP instead of voting in the California presidential primary?

While thousands and thousands of people will participate in the GPP this year, millions will vote in your home state. That means that, as an individual, your vote in the Global Presidential Primary is more powerful than if you were to vote in California -- in fact, 4 times more powerful!

Who will win the Global Presidential Primary?

That’s up to you to decide! We’ll be announcing the results of our primary on March 23rd, so stay tuned!

I have questions about voting.

Please email gotv@democratsabroad.org so we can help!

I have questions about the Global Primary. 

Please email wiesbaden-mainz@democratsabroad.de and we’ll get back to you soon.

I'm a journalist and would like to interview someone or cover the primary.

Please email press@democratsabroad.de with your question or request, we'll be in touch right away.

Let's get on track and stick to our New Year's resolution of putting a Democrat in the White House! Join us for our first chapter meeting of 2020. We will discuss the Democrats Abroad Global Presidential Primary (GPP) taking place in Wiesbaden in March, how you can help us get out the vote and get geared up for what's to come in 2020. 

We hope to see you there after the holidays!

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Media Invitation: German version below

Democrats Abroad Germany’s Annual General Meeting

Record-high attendance with appearances from U.S. presidential campaigns

Munich, January 21, 2020 – On January 25, 2020, Democrats Abroad Germany (DA Germany) will hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Munich and focus on the theme "Getting Out the Vote -- At Home and Abroad". 

“2020 is going to be a pivotal year for the future of American democracy. At Democrats Abroad Germany, we remain committed to mobilizing the over 100,000 Americans in Germany to restore respect, dignity, and integrity to our nation’s highest offices,” says Candice Kerestan, Chair, DA Germany.

On Saturday, January 25, the main meeting will begin with an introduction to our organization and a brief highlight of our activities across Germany over the past year. Our full attention will then be directed at how we can work together nationwide to get out the vote in 2020. In the afternoon, we'll discuss the Global Presidential Primary, Democrats Abroad’s state primary for Americans overseas, and hear from campaigns who will be on the ballot. All Democratic presidential primary candidates’ campaigns were invited to attend, and the Biden, Buttigieg, Gabbard, Patrick, Sanders, Steyer, Warren, and Yang campaigns have agreed to participate.

Following the meeting, we’ll gather for a three-course gala dinner at the nearby restaurant Zum Franziskaner and hear from David Shor, an Obama-campaign-trained data analyst who works in close cooperation with many presidential campaigns to examine how data can help Democrats win in 2020. 

We would appreciate your interest in this event. If you would like to attend, I would be happy to coordinate interviews with DA Germany leadership as well. 

The meeting will take place on

Saturday, January 25, 2020,

From 09:00 a.m. – 06:00 p.m.  - U.S. Presidential Campaigns will speak at 1:30 p.m.

In the Foyer/Saal at the Literaturhaus (3rd floor), Salvatorplatz 1, 80333 Munich

Cocktails and Dinner with Guest Speaker David Shor

From 7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

At Zum Franziskaner, Studentensaal, Residenzstr. 9, 80333 Munich

Announcement: Democrats Abroad’s Global Presidential Primary

All Americans living outside the United States - provided they are eligible to vote, at least 18 years of age on or before November 3, 2020, and members of Democrats Abroad - may participate in Democrats Abroad’s Global Presidential Primary, which will be held worldwide from March 3*-11, 2020.

Democrats Abroad Germany’s 30 polling locations and times are finalized and will be announced January 20, 2020.

*March 3, 2020 is “Super Tuesday,” when 15 state parties, including Democrats Abroad, hold their primaries. Since Democrats Abroad has voting centers in “early” time zones of New Zealand, Australia and across Asia, the first ballots cast on Super Tuesday will be cast in Democrats Abroad’s Global Presidential Primary.

Presse-Einladung:

Democrats Abroad Germany Jahresversammlung

Rekordbeteiligung mit Auftritten der US-Präsidentschaftskampagnen

München, 21 Januar, 2020 – Am 25 Januar, 2020, wird Democrats Abroad Germany (DA Germany) ihre Jahresversammlung (AGM) in München mit dem Fokus auf die Thematik "Getting Out the Vote -- At Home and Abroad" („Wahlbeteiligung“ – zu Hause und im Ausland“ abhalten.

„2020 wird ein entscheidendes Jahr für die Zukunft der amerikanischen Demokratie. Bei Democrats Abroad Germany setzen wir uns weiterhin dafür ein, die über 100.000 Amerikaner in Deutschland zu mobilisieren, um den höchsten Ämtern unseres Landes Respekt, Würde und Integrität zu verleihen “, sagt Candice Kerestan, Vorsitzende der DA Deutschland.

Am Samstag, den 25. Januar, beginnt die Jahresversammlung mit einer Einführung in unsere Organisation und einem kurzen Überblick unserer wesentlichen Aktivitäten im vergangenen Jahr in Deutschland. Unsere volle Aufmerksamkeit wird sich dann darauf richten, wie wir bundesweit zusammenarbeiten können, um eine hohe Wahlbeteiligung im Jahr 2020 zu erreichen. Am Nachmittag werden wir über die Global Presidential Primary („globale Präsidentschaftsvorwahl“) und US Bundesstaten Primary Wahlen („Vorwahlen“) von Demokraten im Ausland sprechen. Zudem werden Präsidentschaftskampagnen, die zur Wahl stehen, sich vorstellen. Alle Kampagnen der demokratischen Präsidentschaftskandidaten wurden eingeladen, und die Kampagnen von Biden, Buttigieg, Gabbard, Patrick, Sanders, Steyer, Warren und Yang sagten der Teilnahme zu.

Im Anschluss an die Versammlung werden wir uns zu einem dreigängigen Abendessen im nahe gelegenen Restaurant Zum Franziskaner treffen.  Dort wird David Shor, ein von der Obama-Kampagne ausgebildeter Datenanalyst, welcher eng mit vielen Präsidentschaftswahlkampagnen zusammenarbeitet, einen Vortrag darüber halten wie Datenauswertung dazu beitragen kann damit Demokraten 2020 ihre Wahlen gewinnen.

Wir würden uns über Ihr Interesse an dieser Veranstaltung freuen. Wenn Sie teilnehmen möchten, koordiniere ich gerne auch Interviews mit der Führung von DA Deutschland.

Jahresversammlung Datum und Ort

Samstag, den 25 Januar 2020

Von 9:00 Uhr bis18:00 Uhr

Vorträge der U.S. Präsidentschaftskampagnen finden ab 13.30 Uhr statt.

Im Foyer/Saal vom Literaturhaus (3. Stock), Salvatorplatz 1, 80333 München

Cocktails und Abendessen mit Gastredner David Shor von 19:30 Uhr – 22:00 Uhr

Ort: Zum Franziskaner, Studentensaal, Residenzstr. 9, 80333 München

Bekanntgabe: Democrats Abroad’s Global Presidential Primary (“Globale Vorwahl zur Präsidentschaftswahl“)

Alle außerhalb der Vereinigten Staaten lebenden Amerikaner - vorausgesetzt, sie sind wahlberechtigt, mindestens 18 Jahre alt, am oder vor dem 3. November 2020 und Mitglieder von Democrats Abroad - können an der Global Presidential Primary von Democrats Abroad teilnehmen, die weltweit vom 3. bis zum 11. März 2020 stattfindet.

Die 30 Wahllokale und Öffnungszeiten der Demokraten im Ausland in Deutschland stehen fest und werden am 20. Januar 2020 bekannt gegeben.

Der 3. März 2020 ist ein „Super Tuesday“  („Super-Dienstag“), an dem Demokraten von 15 Bundestaaten, darunter Demokraten im Ausland, ihre Vorwahlen abhalten. Wegen den Wahlen in "frühen" Zeitzonen Neuseelands, Australiens und Asiens werden die ersten Stimmzettel, die am Super Tuesday abgegeben werden, in der Global Presidential Primary von Democrats Abroad abgegeben.

Join Candice Kerestan, DA Germany Chair, and Kenton Barnes, DA Germany Vice-Chair, for an online "Meet and Greet" on Saturday, February 29, from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm. We'll discuss our organization's structure and goals, the process of voting from abroad (including in the Global Presidential Primary), and ways you can contribute to our success in this critical election year.

Whether you're a long-time member or completely new to DA Germany, we warmly welcome all members to join us for this afternoon event. We hope to answer any questions you may have about DA Germany or voting from abroad, as well as foster a lively, productive discussion with each other. 

To actively participate in the event, you will need a computer with an internet connection as well as a working microphone. 

Please RSVP to the event if you'd like to attend. Once we've received your RSVP, we will send you the login link. We hope many of you can join us! 

Donations for the 2019 EMEA Regional Meeting in Athens auction. 

Press Contact:
Beverly Seebach
press@democratsabroad.de
+49 151 6884 1588

Media Invitation: DEMOCRATS ABROAD LIGHTS FOR LIBERTY VIGILS

Washington, July 11, 2019 – On July 12, “Close the Camps / Lights for Liberty” events will be taking place around the world and across the US to rally against the ongoing inhumane treatment of immigrants at US detention centers. Democrats Abroad (DA) and other organizations will be helping to take this action global.
Americans here in Germany are also speaking up, and we invite you to join DA Germany – in person or online – as we take a stance on this important issue.
Attend one of our events in Germany
We’d really appreciate your interest if you’d like to attend, and I’d be happy to help coordinate interviews with our volunteers as well. Please feel free to pass along this invitation to interested colleagues. The event is free to all attendees. While we anticipate that many Americans will join, local friends and families are welcome to participate as well.

Berlin Lights for Liberty Vigil
In front of US Embassy Berlin
Pariser Platz
10117 Berlin

July 12, 2019 at 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Düsseldorf Lights for Liberty Vigil
In front of Hauptbahnhof
Konrad-Adenauer-Platz
40210 Düsseldorf
July 12, 2019 at 8:00pm – 9:00pm

Hamburg Lights for Liberty Vigil
In front of US Consulate Hamburg
Alsterufer 27/28
20354 Hamburg
July 12, 2019 at 8:30pm – 9:30pm

Munich Lights for Liberty Vigil
In front of the Friedensengel
Prinzregentenstraße
81675 Munich
July 12, 2019 at 7:00pm – 8:00pm

DA Germany event contacts
Aileen Dinin, Chair of the Düsseldorf-Ruhr Chapter of DA Germany
Chesney McKinley Severance, Chair of the Hamburg Chapter of DA Germany
Patrick Oberlaender, Chair of the Munich Chapter of DA Germany
Diego Rivas, Chair of the Berlin Chapter of DA Germany

Join the virtual vigil
#DAResists #LightsforLIberty #NeverAgainIsNow #ClosetheCamps
Join our online vigil to stand with detainees, asylum seekers, and immigrant families. We’ll include your photo to create a giant collage of Americans from all over the world, like this one.

Sumner ShermanCandidate Statement

As the Democratic Party Plans a new strategy.  I need your support of my candidacy for Stuttgart Chapter Chair. Our membership is large and we need to build our local organization with more activities/events. This is will be a difficult challenge. We must continue to GOTV and make more people aware of the importance of voting. It has been a privilege to serve as your chapter chair and I need your support. 
Thank you.
Sumner Sherman

My name is Nancy Schimkat. I’m 54 years old, and made Germany my adopted home in 1997 when I joined my now German husband. We have two teenaged children. I have a M.A. in Political Science and a M.A. in Applied Linguistics. Besides running the household, I teach business English part-time and have also been an active member of our local school parents’ association for several years.  I’ve been a member of the DAHD Chapter since 2009.

Democrats Abroad is a way for us ex-pats to stay in touch with goings-on back in the U.S., find support among like-minded people, and it provides a chance for us to actively support the party and its candidates come election time. We are now entering uncertain times as Donald Trump takes over as the 45^th U.S. president, and both houses of Congress are under Republican control. Now, more than ever, we need to find ways to help the Democratic Party regain its foothold in Washington and in the fifty states. As a group, we should continue to share ideas and educate ourselves about current issues. In addition to our DA activities here in Germany, we should also be writing to our representatives, communicating with our local parties stateside and encouraging more participation in the political process. With the internet at our disposal, there is a lot we can do from overseas. With this in mind, I ask that you give me the chance to work as Chairperson of this fantastic Heidelberg group.

A new chapter in American politics will begin in a few days’ time.  The preservation of democratic values will become more important than ever, within the United States and abroad.  As a resident of Hamburg for over ten years, I have been able to watch the city become ever more internationally present.  Home to a few thousand other Americans, Hamburg has a great deal to offer to the US political conversation and the direction of the Democratic Party.

I’m 32, from Philadelphia. My parents and sister live there, while my daughter is a “hamburger Deern”.  Family, friends and my financial career allow me to feel at home on two continents.

Over the past year, I have become actively involved in the Hamburg Chapter of Democrats Abroad Germany, helping out with events such as GOTV and the upcoming March for American Democracy.  These and other events have been part of the Hamburg Chapter’s development during the election campaign.  As Chapter Chair, I want to ensure that that development continues, with more democrats living in Hamburg becoming more involved.  I am also committed to making our presence as Democrats living abroad known.  I believe we can start to achieve this by taking part in the political debate, on issues domestic and international.

I am confident in the people responsible for our Chapter’s successes and their commitment to its future.  It is a Chapter I would be honored to lead, and to which I pledge that same commitment.

Marc James Castagnera
15/01/2017, Hamburg

DA Heidelberg Chair Candidate Statement

My name is Nancy Schimkat. I’m 54 years old, and made Germany my adopted home in 1997 when I joined my now German husband. We have two teenaged children. I have a M.A. in Political Science and a M.A. in Applied Linguistics. Besides running the household, I teach business English part-time and have also been an active member of our local school parents’ association for several years.  I’ve been a member of the DAHD Chapter since 2009.

Democrats Abroad is a way for us ex-pats to stay in touch with goings-on back in the U.S., find support among like-minded people, and it provides a chance for us to actively support the party and its candidates come election time. We are now entering uncertain times as Donald Trump takes over as the 45^th U.S. president, and both houses of Congress are under Republican control. Now, more than ever, we need to find ways to help the Democratic Party regain its foothold in Washington and in the fifty states. As a group, we should continue to share ideas and educate ourselves about current issues. In addition to our DA activities here in Germany, we should also be writing to our representatives, communicating with our local parties stateside and encouraging more participation in the political process. With the internet at our disposal, there is a lot we can do from overseas. With this in mind, I ask that you give me the chance to work as Chairperson of this fantastic Heidelberg group.

Candidate for Democrats Abroad Stuttgart Chapter Chair 2017-2019

Sumner ShermanCandidate Statement

As the Democratic Party Plans a new strategy.  I need your support of my candidacy for Stuttgart Chapter Chair. Our membership is large and we need to build our local organization with more activities/events. This is will be a difficult challenge. We must continue to GOTV and make more people aware of the importance of voting. It has been a privilege to serve as your chapter chair and I need your support. 
Thank you.
Sumner Sherman

You are almost to Berlin! Please input your payment info and the names of any additional registrants you are paying for. If you have any questions please email International Treasurer, Art Schankler Treasurer@DemocratsAbroad.org .

Membes of the Berlin Chapter gather to watch Senator Bernie Sanders and Secretary Madeleine Albright representing Secretary Hillary Clinton's campaign at the Democrats Abroad Global Town Hall on  Sunday, February 21

Members in Germany can vote in Person at 13 locations!

We had a great turnout for our debate watching party.

picture

We had a cozy and fun Christmas party at our "Stammlokal" the Andechser on Saturday, Dec. 12th