Why use VoteFromAbroad.org to request your ballot?
Federal law provides special voting protections for U.S. citizens living overseas—but only if you submit the official federal ballot request. When you do, you receive:
- Your ballot by email (Check the “receive by email” box)
- Guaranteed ballot transmission at least 45 days before each federal election — critical if you must return your ballot by mail (22 states are mail-return only)
- Automatic ballot delivery for every election you’re eligible to vote in that year
- Protection against voter roll removal — your registration stays active that year
- Free ballot tracking, so you can confirm your ballot was received
- Access to an emergency write-in ballot if your ballot is delayed or doesn’t arrive
These protections are not automatic. They apply only when you submit the FEDERAL ballot request (as opposed to an absentee ballot from your local election official).
Go to VoteFromAbroad.org today!
Events happening in DA Austria in May —
Young Democrats: Young Americans Cornhole Tournament
Sunday, May 17, 2026
2:00–4:00 p.m.
Near the Mozart statue, Burggarten, Josefsplatz 1, 1010 Vienna
RSVP
Salzburg Monthly Meet-up
Friday, May 22, 2026
5:30–7:30 p.m.
Krimpelstätter Restaurant,
Müllner Hauptstraße 31, Salzburg 5020
RSVP
Solidarity Sundays: Hope. Mechanics. Candidates.
Sunday, May 31, 2026
4:00–6:00 p.m.
Amerlinghaus
Stiftgasse 8, 1070 Wien
RSVP
Volunteer Meet Up
Details to Be Announced!
June, 2026
Vienna
Save the Date! Pride Watch Party
Saturday, June 13, 2026
12:00–4:00 p.m.
We’ll be in the vicinity of Opernring 17 (under the trees).
Save the Date! July 4, 250 Celebration
July 4, 2026
Die Schankwirtschaft
1020 Vienna
RSVP page will open on Jun 1, 2026
Voter Registration & Ballot Request Tables are Back!
Saturdays throughout May at various locations*:
- Sat. May 9 – 11:00 am - 4:00 pm, Mariahilferstrasse (above Neubaugasse) 1060
- Sat. May 16 – 10:00 am - 1:00 pm, Karmelitermarkt 1020
- 11:00 am - 4:00 pm, Mariahilferstrasse (above Neubaugasse) 1060
- Sat. May 23 – 10:00 am - 1:00 pm, Kutschkermarkt 1180
- 11:00 am - 4:00 pm, Mariahilferstrasse (above Neubaugasse) 1060
- Sat. May 30 – 10:00 am - 1:00 pm, Brunnenmarkt 1160
- 11:00 am - 4:00 pm, Mariahilferstrasse (above Neubaugasse) 1060
*Many locations means many volunteers are needed. Please check the event page to confirm we have the people power to staff a particular table!
In this Newsletter —
Message from the Chair
Event Highlights:
- Young Democrats: Young Americans Cornhole Tournament
- 1776–2026 Celebrating Our Democracy
Voting News:
- Primary Season is Now!
- It's a Jungle in California
Inside DA Austria:
- Veterans & Military Families Caucus
- Global Annual General Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya
Issues and Actions:
- Volunteers Needed!
Review:
- Solidarity Sundays: April Meetup
- Dems Giving Back Clean up Action
Our next Executive Committee meeting will be on Wednesday, June 11, at 7:00 p.m. Members are welcome to join us at the meetings. Please contact Brett Carnito at [email protected] for the location.
DA Austria is committed to keeping you up to date while respecting your inbox. Our monthly newsletter brings together all the important information you need in one place, so you can stay informed without the extra emails. We appreciate you reading and staying connected!
Message from the Chair:
As wave after wave of devastating news rolls in from the United States, it helps to remember that none of this is permanent. Gerrymanders can be undone. The courts can be reformed. Oversight can have meaning - and consequences. But none of that is possible without our votes, and Democrats Abroad aim to deliver. Visit our tables in Vienna’s streets and markets. Answer when our phonebanker's call. Come to our events. We’ll be there to help you register and request your ballots!
—Brett Carnito, DA Austria Chair
Event Highlights:
Young Democrats: Young Americans Cornhole Tournament
Sunday, May 17, 2026
To ring in the warm weather, we're hosting our second annual Young Democrats Cornhole Tournament! Cornhole is an outdoor game where players take turns throwing bean bags at inclined boards with a hole in them to score points. The goal is to have fun, so whether you're a seasoned cornhole pro or new to the game, everyone is welcome to join! And you may even walk away with the championship title and one of our real corn prizes. Join your fellow Americans for an a-MAIZE-ing time. RSVP
– Bryan Quandt and Elena Fischer, Young(er) Americans Co-Coordinators
1776–2026 July 4 Party in the Park
Saturday, July 4, 2026
Save the Date for DA Austria’s 250 year celebration of our democracy — an ideal that needs fighting for as much now as in 1776. Join us for food, music, and games for the quintessential American holiday!
Ticket donations for food and to reserve your spot will be posted on the event page by 1 June. Watch this spot.
Voting News:
Primary Season is Now!
Its primary season and races will be taking place in both state gubernatorial and federal House and Senate races — 470 federal-level primary races in all — from March to June.
Upcoming Primary Elections:
- May 5 TODAY!: Indiana & Ohio (overseas ballots sent March 21)
- May 12: Nebraska & West Virginia (overseas ballots sent March 28)
- May 16: Louisiana (overseas ballots sent April 1)
- May 19: Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Oregon, Pennsylvania (overseas ballots sent April 4)
- May 26: Texas (primary runoff)
- June 2: California (see below), Iowa, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, South Dakota (overseas ballots sent April 1) (overseas ballots sent April 18)
- June 9: Maine, Nevada, North Dakota, South Carolina (overseas ballots sent April 25)
- Upcoming Special Elections:
- June 16: CA-14 will have a Special Primary Election to fill Eric Swalwell’s vacant congressional seat.
- August 18: CA-14 Special General Election
Of course every race is important, and you want to make sure you always receive your ballot for each election you’re eligible to vote for by going to votefromabroad.org and requesting your ballots for the entire calendar year. The New York Times has highlighted some key Senate and Governor’s races in their 2026 Midterm Election Calendar to inspire and remind you that every vote counts!
It’s a Jungle Out There
The importance of Understanding CA’s June 2 Primary Election for Governor
Gavin Newsom is termed out and Californians will be electing a new governor in November. California’s upcoming primary on Tuesday, June 2 will determine which two candidates are on the November ballot.
It is called a jungle primary because all candidates – regardless of party affiliation – run in one primary and the top two vote-getters will secure a spot on the November ballot. Because so many Democrats are in the race and splintering the Democratic vote, the concern is that two Republicans could win. If Democrats are unable to coalesce around a candidate, there’s a real possibility that California could have no option but to elect a Republican governor for the first time since 2007.
Therefore we at DA Austria have some recommendations for California voters to follow to ensure your vote helps to make the difference:
- Don’t vote early! There are two debates after May 4. We recommend waiting until after Becerra, Porter and Steyer debate again. One of them will emerge in the polls as the frontrunner and when that person does, we all need to jump on board. We need to make sure that at least one Democrat is a candidate in the November election.
- High turnout is vital. High turnout of Democrats, Independents and non-party-affiliates who are leaning liberal is vital. Spread the word with friends abroad and back home! If you haven’t received your ballot yet, you can request it at votefromabroad.org until May 18, 2026. Click the box to receive it by email.
- Don’t waste your vote! Betty Yee and Eric Swalwell have dropped out of the race but their names still appear on the ballot. Others may follow. Be sure to check which candidates are still in the race before casting your ballot.
- Use a Fax app to return your ballot. Postal service to the US is incredibly slow and the Embassy’s diplomatic pouch also needs a minimum of four weeks. You can easily scan and fax your ballot with a fax app such as Fax.Plus. The Austrian post office can also send a fax. If you go to the post office, remember to go late in the afternoon when the machine is turned on in California (9 hours behind).
- We're here to help! A number of us on DA Austria’s Executive Committee vote in California. We’ll be holding a Fax Your Ballot Back Meet Up to answer your questions and help you return your ballot (check our event page for time and location). Or come to a Saturday Voting Table (see details above) and a volunteer can help you send your fax.
- Know your sources. A few reliable sources for candidate and ballot information are: https://ballotopedia.org/ https://cadem.org/ https://bluevoterguide.org/state/california
— Jen Rakow-Stepper, (CA-2 voter)
Inside DA Austria:
Veterans & Military Families Caucus
As we look back on April and some of the fond memories we had or made, it was also the month to remember the dependents whose loved ones are not there but deployed far from home.
I would like some volunteers to write a small paragraph or do a short 30 second video of what Memorial Day means to you. You can send it to me so that we can post it on the DA Austria web page.
WHAT DOES MEMORIAL DAY MEAN TO YOU?
As a child, Memorial Day meant not having to go to school. But for the older adults, I noticed, they appeared to be very somber. For most of them, my father included, they were WWII veterans. Then I became a Marine in 1972. It’s sometimes hard to convey what this day means to others who have never worn the uniform of the United States. You always look to others who have shared sweat and bleed with you, for they get it. They know. Because even during training some of the things we do are extremely dangerous and a few of our friends have died because of it. We Brothers and Sisters mourn their loss, but we do not forget them. They are the reason we still exist as a nation.
Memorial Day is one day in time. But for the Vets among us it is the day they remember their Brothers and Sisters who are no longer standing among their ranks. And so, this Memorial Day when you are handed a red poppy to wear and look at the flag of the United States of America, just remember there are those this Memorial Day who will not be standing there for they are the ones who helped us stand as one nation for the people and by the people.
Please respect, honor, and never forget our nation’s service members and veterans who are no longer with us. These are just some of the warriors who are among us or are watching over us so please make them proud. This is not only your America, but also theirs as well for they served during a portion of their lives for the loved ones they may never see.
—George Bottorff, Co-Coordinator DA Austria VMF Caucus [email protected]
Global Annual General Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya
Democrats Abroad Kenya will host the 2026 global Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Nairobi on the weekend of May 30–31. This is the first time DA leaders – formerly known as the Democratic Party Committee Abroad (DPCA) – from around the world will meet on the African continent.
DA Austria has four voting representatives who will join approximately 200 others to participate in the meeting: Brett Carnito, chair, Jen Rakow-Stepper, treasurer and DPCA voting representative, Bruce Murray, DPCA voting representative, and Jacqueline Berman, DPCA voting representative (alternate),
During the meeting we’ll hear from special guest speakers, gain ideas and inspiration from fellow DA leaders about how they are mobilizing overseas voters, and vote on resolutions.
DPCA elected representatives will meet in person and online for the two days. As always, it is outstanding to see the commitment and dedication of so many people – all volunteers – making this organization function.
All Democrats Abroad members are welcome to join the meeting free of charge as an observer. Please RSVP for the link and time schedule.
— Jen Rakow-Stepper, Treasurer and DPCA Voting Representative
Issues and Actions:
Fight the Overwhelm by Getting Involved!
We need volunteers to help create a Blue Wave in the midterms—even if you can help just occasionally, we welcome your contribution. We are especially looking for volunteers to help people register to vote - this one is urgent!!!! Send an email to ([email protected]) and keep an eye out for our Volunteer Get-Together in June by checking our Events Page.
— Kathryn Nenning, Volunteer Coordinator, Member-at-Large
Review:
Solidarity Sundays: April Meetup
Sunday, April 19, 2026
In April we covered three things.
Jacqueline made the case for raising money for Run for Something — they recruit, train, and back young progressive candidates running for down-ballot office: state legs, city councils, school boards. Biggest candidate pipeline in Democratic politics. The bench matters. They’re building it. Meet Run for Something.
We also unpacked what actually happens after a big rally — using Deva Woodly’s framework on movement size versus movement strength — because feeling the energy and building on it are two different things. And we closed by writing letters to primary voters, which is exactly the point: talk less, do more.
More on next steps soon.
— Tanya Lolonis, Solidarity Sundays Co-Coordinator
Dems Giving Back Clean up Action
Democrats Abroad’s goal is to help people register to vote, but it’s “Not Just Politics.” We also want to build community and give back, as we did recently when we met on a recent Sunday in the Prater to rid the Kaiserwiese of garbage (particularly cigarette stubs, of which there were many).
We did this in partnership with the City of Vienna’s initiative Wien räumt auf (Vienna Cleans Up). Bruce Miller, who has a sharp eye for errant paper, was the clear winner!
Afterwards, we recuperated at a nearby Gasthaus for a well-earned beer and Wienerschnitzel. Join us next time - look for the “Not Just Politics” headline on our events page!
— Kathryn Nenning, Volunteer Coordinator, Member-at-Large