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 June —
June Volunteer Cocktail Party
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
6:30–9:30 p.m.
burg.ring1
Burgring 1, 1010 Vienna
RSVP
Vienna Pride Watch Party
Saturday, June 13, 2026
12:00–4:00 p.m.
We’ll be in the vicinity of Opernring 17 (on the grass median, under the trees).
RSVP (not required)
Solidarity Sundays | June Meetup
Sunday, June 14 , 2026
4:00–6:00 p.m.
Location: TBD
!! RSVP for location announcement !!
Salzburg Monthly Meet-up
Friday, June 19, 2026
5:30–7:30 p.m.
Krimpelstätter Restaurant,
Müllner Hauptstraße 31, Salzburg 5020
RSVP
Young Democrats: Picnic and Board Games
Sunday, June 28, 2026
2:00–4:00 p.m.
Pier 22, Donauinsel, 1220 Vienna
RSVP
July 4th – 250th Birthday Celebration
July 4, 2026
Central Vienna – Venue location upon RSVP
1020 Vienna
RSVP
July 4th in Vorarlberg
July 4, 2026
Lochau Grillplatz, Schwarzbad
6911 Lochau
RSVP
Voter Registration & Ballot Request Tables are Back!
Saturdays throughout June at various locations*:
Sat. June 6 – 9:00am - 12:00 pm, Market location
12:00pm - 4:00 pm, Mariahilferstrasse location
*Many locations means many volunteers are needed; please check our signup list to volunteer for a time and location!
In this Newsletter —
Message from the Chair
Event Highlights:
- Vienna Pride Parade Watch Party
- Young Democrats: Picnic and Board Games
- 1776–2026 Celebrating Our Democracy
Voting News:
- Primary Season is Now!
Inside DA Austria:
- Global Annual General Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya
Issues and Actions:
- Take Action! Voter Registration Tables in Your Neighborhood
- Duck Tales Media Outreach
Our next Executive Committee meeting will be on Thursday, 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:
At the DA's global AGM this weekend our International Chair, Martha McDevitt-Pugh, discussed the importance of community. One remark that stayed with me was that democracy lives locally; the relationships that we build help us to withstand the stream of bad news we're confronted with daily, cut through misinformation, and remind us that we do not act alone. In this sense every event is a small step towards building those relationships, building that community, and ultimately building a better America. We look forward to seeing you soon!
— Brett Carnito, DA Austria Chair
June Event Highlights:
Vienna Pride Parade Watch Party
Saturday, June 13, 2026
We’re bringing our spirit to the Vienna Rainbow Parade again this year with a watch party along the parade route! DA members will set up a hub across from the Burggarten, proudly displaying our large Democrats Abroad pride banner.
We’ll also assist American parade-goers to request their ballots to ensure their voices will be heard in November. It will be a day full of pride and unity!
Please note that the organisers do not permit national flags to be displayed, but bring along a bright, positive sign of support!. RSVP
Join Us!
Young Democrats: Picnic and Board Games
Sunday, June 28, 2026
Enjoy the summer vibes with a relaxed picnic gathering paired with easygoing board games! Bring a dish or snack to share, a blanket, and your favorite board game (if you have one) to enjoy with great company. Unwind, connect, and make the most of a summer day in Vienna with fellow younger Americans. RSVP
– Bryan Quandt and Elena Fischer, Young(er) Americans Co-Coordinators
1776–2026 July 4th Party in the Park
Saturday, July 4, 2026
Bring friends and family to DA Austria’s celebration of the 250th birthday of our democracy — an idea that needs fighting for as much now as in 1776.
Join us for a decked out buffet, live music, American desserts, and classic games–it will be a quintessential American July 4th celebration (sans fireworks, sadly)!
Get your tickets for the buffet and to reserve your spot when you RSVP
Voting News:
Primary Season is Now!
Its primary season and races will be taking place in state gubernatorial and federal House and Senate races — 470 federal-level primary races in all — from March to June.
Upcoming Primary Elections:
- June 2: —TODAY! California, Iowa, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, South Dakota (overseas ballots sent April 1)
- 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 (to replace Eric Swalwell)
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!
Inside DA Austria:
Global Annual General Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya
Democrats Abroad Kenya hosted the 2026 global Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Nairobi on the weekend of May 30–31. This is the first time DA leaders from around the world have met on the African continent. DA Austria’s voting representatives — Brett Carnito, Jen Rakow-Stepper, and Bruce Murray — joined approximately 240 others to participate both in person and online.
During the meeting we heard from special guest speakers ASDC President Jane Kleeb, DNC Vice Chair Malcolm Kenyatta, and Nebraska Democratic Party Executive Director Precious McKesson. Many leaders from across Africa including from Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, and Rwanda (picture above) attended in person. Since I spent my four years as Regional Vice Chair for EMEA (2021-2024) working to build and strengthen leaders and committees on the continent, it was a real pleasure for me to see how far those efforts have flourished and see some familiar faces.
As always, it is outstanding to see the commitment and dedication of so many people – all volunteers – who make this organization function.
— Jen Rakow-Stepper, Treasurer and DPCA Voting Representative
Privileges of Membership in Democrats Abroad
Don’t miss the online webinar with JB Pritzker, Illinois Governor, on June 2—TODAY! RSVP here.
Invitations to interesting and informative webinars for members of Democrats Abroad are one of the many perks of DA membership. Of course membership is free, and we don’t share your data with anyone.
Democrats Abroad also provides invaluable and updated voter information for how to vote in your state on the Vote from Abroad website as well as 1:1 live voter help in our ZOOM rooms for voters who need more help or have questions.
But it doesn’t stop there, stateside, DA advocates and lobbies in both Washington DC and state legislatures for the rights of U.S. citizens living abroad and the specific issues we face.
Membership has privileges. Help us grow our numbers abroad and remain the margin of difference in elections and policy at home. Tell three friends, colleagues, or family about the benefits of being a member of Democrats Abroad!
Friends make sure friends get the perks. Send them to democratsabroad.org to join today.
Issues and Actions:
Take Action!
In Your Neighborhood – Voter Registration Tables
Summer is on its way and election season is heating up. Look for DA’s volunteers at a voter registration table at a market or street corner in your neighborhood. It’s more important than ever to make sure EVERY eligible voter in Austria requests and returns their ballot this year.
We all know someone who did not vote in the last cycle.
According to the Federal Voter Assistance Program (FVAP), Austria has 12,730 eligible voters, but in 2022 only 7.41% of them returned their ballot! This November, important races are happening up and down the ballot; races that will control seats of power from your local school board to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. We must do better.
Tell your friends, family, and colleagues to come and request their ballot — it’s required to register each and every year.
It’s a Duck’s Tale
Look out for our election cycle media outreach online and on the streets near you. Please make sure to like and share so we can reach more of the 12,000 U.S. citizens living in Austria!
Thanks for Reading the June Newsletter!
Don’t forget to register to vote and request your ballot at votefromabroad.org today.
The rules have changed and tightened for many states, and primaries have begun. Go to votefromabroad.org and make it happen. There are people on deck to help if needed.