Welcome to the Democrats Abroad Australia Newsletter for February 2024.  Here’s what’s happening!

DA AUSTRALIA IS LOOKING FOR LEADERS 

Democrats Abroad Australia will be electing officers to join a team of committed volunteers ready to deliver the overseas vote for Democrats in 2024 U.S. federal, state and local elections.  We love new people and warmly welcome all Americans in Australia, be they newly arrived or long term residents.   Nominations are open for the following offices:  DA Australia Chairperson; DA Australia Vice Chairperson; DA Australia Secretary; DA Australia Legal Counsel; DA Australia Voting Rep to the Democratic Party Committee Abroad (DPCA).   Nominations will close on Friday February 23rd. Elections will take place at the DA Australia 2024 Annual General Meeting on Saturday March 23rd.  Click here for more information or contact the Nominations and Elections Committee at info-Australia@democratsabroad.org.   Volunteering for DA Australia There are a number or other volunteer positions that might be of interest at the local, national or international level.  For example:  We need volunteers to help out at our Global Presidential Primary voting center in Melbourne and ballot assistance events in Sydney and other places. We are looking for leaders to plan activities and Get Out The Vote initiatives in Canberra, Adelaide, Perth and Darwin.   We need volunteers to manage our DA Australia Facebook page and Instagram page.   We will be phoning all of our members to remind them to register to vote (or confirm their voting eligibility), request an absentee ballot and return their ballots.  Training to use our CallHub phonebanking system is available and sessions are starting soon.  The DA global IT team is looking for a range of volunteers to work on their website and member database projects.

And there’s even more to choose from.  Click here for our Volunteer Jobs Notice Board or contact us at info-Australia@democratsabroad.org for more information. Do you know a Young Democrat in Australia looking for an Internship? If so then we have roles for them that will help them build skills in technology, organizing, civics and voter outreach.  Contact us at info-Australia@democratsabroad.org.

2024 U.S. EXPATS ONLINE FINANCIAL CONFERENCE - 6-8 FEB

From February 6th-8th 2024, US expat financial experts from around the world are coming together for a free-to-attend online conference to share their expertise, perspectives and experience, specifically for Americans living abroad, worldwide.  Click here for more information.

DEMOCRATS ABROAD WEEKLY TAX SERIES - WEDNESDAYS THROUGH FEBRUARY

On Wednesdays throughout the month of February Dems Abroad will continue its Tax Information Webinar series.  This month’s sessions will be about retirement and taxation, filing FBARS and 1040s and more.  Click here for more information and to RSVP to receive the zoom link or a recording of the webinar.

The 2023 tax filing season is officially open and, due to funding put in place by the Biden Inflation Reduction Act, there are more resources available to taxpayers - including those living abroad - than ever before.  Click here for more information.  Americans living abroad have until June 15, 2024 to file their 2023 tax returns.  Extensions of time to October 15, 2023 are also available (though liabilities must be satisfied by June 15th to avoid interest).

DA AUSTRALIA LOCAL CHAPTER MONTHLY MEET UPS

DA Australia - Victoria Local Chapter Politics and a Pint

Wednesday February 7, 5pm

Beer Delux, Federation Square 

Click here to RSVP

DA Australia - NSW Local Chapter Pints and Politics

Tuesday February 20, 6pm

Aurora Rooftop Hotel

Surry Hills (across from Central Station)

LEGISLATION TO PERMIT ELECTRONIC BALLOT RETURN FOR NEW YORK VOTERS

Democrats Abroad’s New York State Team is at the front of an effort to change the voting laws in New York state to permit Americans abroad to return their absentee ballots electronically.  Click here to learn more and to help in the push for this important legislation.

DEMOCRATS ABROAD HOSTED A CANDIDATE FORUM FOR THOSE RUNNING TO REPRESENT CALIFORNIA IN THE U.S. SENATE.  WATCH IT HERE!

On Sunday January 25th the Democrats Abroad California State Team hosted a forum for the candidates running for the U.S. Senate representing the state of California.

They spoke with Rep. Adam Schiff, Rep. Barbara Lee and Rep. Katie Porter.

Click here to watch a recording of the forum on the Democrats Abroad YouTube channel.

WANT TO HAVE A SAY IN THE DA PLATFORM?  JOIN OUR 2024 KITCHEN TABLE TALKS!

BACKGROUND  

Every 4 years Democrats Abroad produces a Platform that presents the positions we take on a wide range of issues.  For reference, this is our 2020 Platform and this is our 2016 Platform.  In order to incorporate the views of DA members throughout the organization into our platform, DA country committees around the world host Kitchen Table Talks, at which issues are discussed and views are presented.  Feedback from those discussions are presented to the DA global platform committee by March 12. 

The Committee uses the feedback in the development of our platform.  The platform is presented, debated and voted upon at our 2024 Global Convention, which is happening this year in Costa Rica from May 31 to June 2.

2024 DA Australia Online Kitchen Table Talks

Democrats Abroad Australia will be holding online (Zoom) Kitchen Table Talk (KTT) discussions to facilitate the collection of member views and opinions on these topics:  

KTT Session 1:  Thursday Feb 15, 7pm

Topics - Climate and Environment, Immigration and Healthcare 

KTT Session 2:  Thursday Feb 22, 7pm

Topics - Equal Rights, Reproductive Rights and Democracy

KTT Session 3:  Thursday Feb 29, 7pm

Topics - Economy, Poverty and Taxation 

Discussions will be moderated by a DAA volunteer.  Volunteers with subject matter expertise will be invited to present on topics for discussion.  Please click here to send us an Expression of Interest in participating in one or more of these Kitchen Table Talks.  Deadline for Expressions of Interest is 5pm AEST on Wednesday February 7.

2024 SUPER BOWL VOTER OUTREACH

Are you planning to watch the Superbowl at your local pub?

If so, we would love for you to help us promote DA’s non-partisan online voter registration/ballot request tool VoteFromAbroad.org  We have cards and leaflets you can set out on tables or the bar. Contact us at info-australia@democratsabroad.org if you can help us find Americans in Australia who we can help vote this year.

SEEKING PERSPECTIVE AND MOTIVATION THIS ELECTION SEASON? (Aren't we all?)

If so, then we encourage you to watch this 20 minute address by Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) presented to members of Democrats Abroad on the anniversary of the January 6th insurrection.  Rep. Raskin gives a true and honest assessment of the troubling political times we are in, but also an inspiring call-to-arms that will motivate even the most discouraged and disillusioned amongst us to do whatever is in our power to sustain - and expand! - our democracy.  Your vote is your power.  Have you requested your 2024 ballot?

GO TO VOTEFROMABROAD.ORG TO REGISTER TO VOTE AND/OR REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT FOR 2024

If you have not already done so - and about 1 in four of us already have!! - then it’s time to go to VoteFromAbroad.org to register and/or request your ballot for 2024.

Global Presidential Primary

In addition to requesting your home state ballot, you can also use votefromabroad.org to request a ballot to vote in the Democratic Presidential Primary being hosted by Democrats Abroad.  President Joe Biden and Marianne Williamson have qualified to be on the Democrats Abroad primary ballot.  You can request a DA Global Presidential Primary Ballot just after you prepare your request for your home state ballot; just be sure to leave the space for President blank on your home state ballot when it’s time to vote.  You can only vote for president in one state's primary.

Send us any comments or questions at info-australia@democratsabroad.org.

Thanks for reading!