Voting in the 2018 Midterm Elections is extremely important. As the first major elections held since President Trump took office in January 2017, these midterms are the nation's first opportunity to hold a mass referendum on the Trump administration, making it all the more important to have your vote counted. The results of this year’s midterm elections will be enormously important — not just in shaping the future of Donald Trump’s presidency, but in shaping the American political landscape for a great many years to come.

Even though Democrats netted two seats in the Senate last year, Republicans hold a majority with 51, nine away from a filibuster-proof margin. Local and state elections matter! These elections have more impact and influence over citizen’s everyday lives than one may think. Many of the state legislators elected on November 6, 2018 will draw the congressional and legislative redistricting lines after the 2020 census. Therefore, voting this year may be one of the most important things you do this year!

Voting and Election Information

We will not win, if you don’t vote. Take the first important step today: Register to Vote and/or Request Your Ballot.

Visit VoteFromAbroad.org to complete a ballot request -- and then send in that request!

1. Just click “start here” on the VFA homepage, fill out the required fields, and follow the prompts that follow.
2. You can ask questions from any page on the site, and a Dems Abroad volunteer will help find the right answers for you.
3. Please remember to send in your ballot request once you have completed it! You will be instructed on whether your voting state allows ballot requests to be submitted electronically, or if you must mail in by post.
4. Encourage your American friends and colleagues to do the same!

If you have already used VFA this year, Thank You. If you have already requested your 2018 ballot a different way, Click Here.   

Arizona voters! There is a special House primaries on Feb. 27th The Eighth District seat, which has been typically Republican, became open when Representative Trent Franks resigned over sexual misconduct accusations in December. The primary winners will advance to a general election on April 24.

Pennsylvania special House general election is March 13th The 18th District was left open when Representative Tim Murphy resigned after revelations that he encouraged a mistress to have an abortion. The race in a pro-Republican district will be watched closely.

Upcoming  State/Territorial Primaries by date

Tuesday               March  6          Texas

Tuesday               March 20         Illinois

Tuesday               May  8             Indiana, North Carolina, Ohio, West Virginia

Tuesday               May 15            Idaho, Nebraska, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Kentucky

Tuesday               May 22            Arkansas, Georgia

Tuesday               June  5            Alabama, California, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, South Dakota

Tuesday               June 12           Maine, Nevada, North Dakota, South Carolina, Virginia

Tuesday               June 19           District of Columbia

Tuesday               June 26           Colorado, Maryland, Oklahoma, Utah

Thursday             June 28            New York Federal Primary

Now is the Time to Get Involved! - Volunteer for Phone banking! Join our phone banking effort — together we can help elect more Democrats! All information to get started and make a difference this year is on our website.

February’s Highlighted Events

2018 Germany Annual General Meeting in Hamburg — Friday, February 23-Sunday, February 25, 2018, Stiftung Kultur Palast Hamburg. Every year Democrats Abroad Germany gathers to discuss issues and plan our activities for the coming year. With midterm elections quickly approaching, join us in Hamburg to learn more about how you can be an active part of getting out the vote and meet other Democrats living in Germany. This year we will also discuss amendments to our bylaws to help improve DAG and make sure our country adapts to the changes of our organization. Register by 11:59 pm CET on January 31st for early bird pricing.

AGM Deadlines

• Remote voting center registration deadline: February 16th
• 2nd open bylaws amendment discussion call: February 8th @ 1900
• Bylaws amendment proposal deadline: February 2nd

Preliminary Review of Proposed DAG Bylaw Amendments We will be discussing proposed bylaws changes prior to the AGM in an open web conference on Wednesday, January 16 at 7 pm. Please RSVP on the event page to receive the login information for the discussion.

Caucus Update

Introducing our new Progressive Caucus. Joining ProDA (Progressive Caucus of Democrats Abroad) adds your voice to the growing call for progressive change. ProDA is working to increase transparency, accountability and fairness in policies, government and our party. Join today!

Democrats Abroad Germany needs you! We’re looking for members to fill the following national leadership roles:

• Hispanic caucus chair
• Black caucus chair
• Progressive Caucus
• Interested members to help form our fledgling Veterans and Military Families Council

If you are interested in any of these positions, please contact: [email protected].

February is Black History Month. The Global Black Caucus will be highlighting Black history on their Facebook page. If you are interested in learning more about American history check out the their resource page for books, documentaries and feature films about Black history.

Want to join or contact any of our caucuses, here's how:

News and Noteworthy

ICYMI: Check out Beverly Seebach, our Germany GOTV coordinator, video interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Newspaper. She is shown with another American who is Trump supporter living in Germany. http://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/ein-jahr-praesident-trump-ich-bin-begeistert-laecherlich-15406751.html

Watch Ann Hesse’s, Women’s Caucus Co-Chair and Stuttgart Chapter Chair, wonderful speech at the 2018 Women’s March in Heidelberg.

2018 is shaping up to be a really important year in the history of American democracy. DAG needs to find as many Americans as possible and persuade them to vote. Advertising, making calls, paying local registration fees, and buying postage all require money. Please consider becoming a DAG Sustaining Member. DAG is a member-funded, 100% volunteer organization. With the 2018 midterms approaching, we are appreciative of all the financial support we receive. In 2016, we calculated that each euro spent resulted in 3 new members/voters, and in this year's midterms, every vote counts! Please consider making a donation to us, whether one time, monthly, or quarterly.

Account name: Democrats Abroad Germany

IBAN: DE04 5405 0220 0140 2702 99

BIC: MALADE51KLK

To make it a recurring donation, you can set up a Dauerauftrag. Let us know if you need assistance with this process — we’re glad to help! Thank you in advance for your support.

Keep #Resisting and Vote!

We’re active on social media. Are you? Follow Democrats Abroad Germany on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

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