Dear DA Germany Member,

Even though we can’t meet in person this year, there’s certainly going to be a lot to discuss on Election Night and the days after. We’ve organized a series of events around the Election, so that we – Democrats across Germany – can come together, discuss the results as they come in, and share how we’re experiencing the election in real time. Please scroll down for a full list of our Election events. And if you haven't voted, or need voting help, please visit www.votefromabroad.org right now to make sure we'll be celebrating next week! More details on voter assistance are also listed below.

Just because we’re not physically together doesn’t mean that we can’t get in the Election Night spirit. Why not grab an election night party pack, decorate your place with some Biden-Harris gear, and then Zoom into our Watch Party? Party packs are available for just €10 (and just €5 for every additional one). Each party pack includes:

6 balloons (mixed — red, white, blue)

6 posters (double-sided)

3 buttons (mixed Biden-Harris designs)

1 paper flag (doubled-sided)

1 reusable cup

Please note that only a limited number of party packs are available. Your party pack will ship once you've placed your order here and transferred your donation. Payment must be received by Thursday, October 29, 2020. We also have some new gear available like Biden-Harris face masks and RBG buttons! T-shirts and totes are still available for donation, too!

ORDER HERE

Donations for party packs should be directed to:

Account name: Democrats Abroad Germany
IBAN: DE04 5405 0220 0140 2702 99
BIC: MALADE51KLK

DONATIONS CAN ONLY BE ACCEPTED FROM U.S. CITIZENS

Election Events

Election Night Predictions and Insights with John McQueen

Sunday, November 1, 5:00pm

Please join us on the pre-election eve — November 1, 2020 — for John McQueen's well-researched election predictions and analysis. John previously served as one of the first chairs of DA Germany. Before diving into his predictions, we'll hear from speakers about issues near and dear to Democrats Abroad, and discuss how they're relevant in this election: Women's issues (Nicole Colaianni), Black Lives Matter (Robert Scott), LGBTQ+ (Daniel Hoever-Eckhardt), Science (Rebecca Alvarado), and Voter Suppression (Patrick Mears).

Niki Vonderwell, former DA Germany Heidelberg Chair, will also be reporting live from Ohio, where she’s helping at one of the polling centers in Greene County. At the end, John will use an interactive map to show his Election Day predictions, with a special eye on some important state races. Moderator will be DA Germany Heidelberg Chair, Nancy Schimkat, and our tech team is Joe Butler and Matthias Luft. This event will broadcast live from the Heidelberg Center for American Studies. Please RSVP to get the Zoom link.

Germany-wide Election Night Watch Party

Tuesday, November 3, 7:00pm — Wednesday, November 4, 9:00am

Join us on Election Night to discuss the current situation on the ground in the US, share how you’re experiencing the election, and connect with other Democrats across Germany. The event will begin at 7:00pm on November 3 and run through 9:00am on November 4. You do not have to attend the entire time, but can come and go as you please. We will not be broadcasting any news program, but you are welcome to have this on elsewhere and participate in our discussion in parallel.

Login information will be sent to RSVPs on November 2. Please note that prioritized entry will be given to Democrats Abroad Germany members. RSVP here.

Agenda

7:00pm-9:00pm – Open discussion with members of the DA Germany Executive Committee

9:00pm-11:00pm – Election Night 2020, an online theater performance by Julia Hart, director of Neuland

11:00pm-5:00am – Pajama party, sponsored by DA Germany’s Saxony Chapter

5:00am-9:00am – Open discussion with members of the DA Germany Executive Committee, including a look at the current legal situation with legal scholar Dr. Matt LeMieux (Münster)

 Germany-wide Post-Election Discussion

Wednesday, November 4, 7:00pm

Join us on November 4 to discuss where things stand 24 hours after the polls have closed. We'll take a look at current situation, especially in swing states like Pennsylvania where mail-in ballots couldn't be counted until Election Day, and hear from YOU! How are you experiencing the election? What "take aways" can already be identified from the 2020 election season?

Login information will be sent to RSVPs on November 3. Please note that prioritized entry will be given to Democrats Abroad Germany members. RSVP here.

Voter Help

If you haven't returned your ballot, it's imperative that you do this immediately. For the most current information on ballot return methods, including a how-to guide for our €25 express deal with FedEx, visit www.democratsabroad.org/vote_from_germany.

If you still have questions about voting from abroad, please connect with our voter assistance volunteers. You can visit one of our online help sessions on:

Sundays (24 hours)

Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays (6 pm-10 pm)

and Saturdays (8 am-4 pm) 

Access live help here.

You're also welcome to contact us via this Google form or by writing to info-germany@democratsabroad.org.

If you've already voted, please let us know by clicking "I sent in my ballot" at the bottom of this email. And then request your free physical "I Voted From Germany" sticker! 

We're really excited to see you — with your election night party pack — at our upcoming election events! We appreciate everything you've done to help get out the vote. Now let's keep it up and do this!

Yours,

DA Germany
http://www.democratsabroad.org/

Just because we're away from "home" doesn't mean that we're not working hard to get Democrats elected! We had volunteers on the ground in over 20 cities today finding and helping Americans, including many dual citizens, vote from abroad. Many thanks to all who participated in our "Ready, Set, Vote" outreach day! A reminder that it's not too late for you to spread the word. Here's more on how you can help.

If you still haven't voted, or have questions about voting, we've put together the most important voting resources for you below. In most cases, it's not too late to vote from abroad, but time is unfortunately running out. Please do not delay! Request your ballot at www.votefromabroad.org, contact us if you need help, and then get your free "I Voted from Germany" sticker! Again, please note that there is NO in-person voting in Germany in November!

There are also plenty of exciting events happening this week, including a TED talk on climate change with Dr. Ifung Lu, a phonebanking training, an "art of voting from abroad" exhibit in Wiesbaden, and an online Biden-Harris rally!

Also, please already mark November 1 on your calendars: The Heidelberg Chapter is hosting "Election Predictions and Insights with John McQueen", an event you won't want to miss! Next week, we'll also distribute an order form for Election Night "Party Packs", which will include Biden-Harris posters, reusable cups, balloons, and buttons. Root for Joe and Kamala from anywhere in Germany on Election Night!

• By this point, you should have received your ballot. If you requested it and have not received it, please contact your local election official (info here) AND submit a Federal Write-In Ballot (FWAB), if you haven't already. Get started at www.votefromabroad.org/fwab. If you need help, please respond to this email or submit your question here.

There's no downside to submitting a FWAB. But you should also mail in your official ballot as soon as you receive it. If both the FWAB and your official ballot reach your voting jurisdiction by the deadline, only the official ballot will be counted and the FWAB will be discarded. 

• If your state allows email or fax ballot return, please use these options as they’re not subject to delay. Here is more information on fax submission. Please note that some states that allow email or fax return require that the ballot be sent by postal mail, too.

• If your state requires postal mail ballot return, we no longer recommend using the Deutsche Post, but rather a courier service, if financially feasible. You might want to consider taking advantage of the following special with FedEx Express:

FedEx Express is kindly offering Americans abroad a discount to send ballots home reliably. US voters living in 10 European countries can now take advantage of a special rate for overnight return of their absentee ballots. From now through November, FedEx International Priority service for envelopes up to 500g sent to the USA, including home pick-up in many cases, costs just €25 from Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Denmark (kr.186), Poland (112 zł), Sweden (260 kr), and the United Kingdom (£23). This special is only bookable online — discounts will not be given if booking at a FedEx store or on the phone. Feel free to privately tell your friends and family, but please do not post about this on social media. 

Please note that some DA Germany members have reported that delivery takes longer than one business day (in some cases four work days).

If using FedEx, or any other courier, your ballot must still be enclosed in a ballot envelope, also sometimes called a "secrecy" or "security" envelope. The instructions that come with your ballot will explain how to prepare your ballot envelope. Complete your ballot, put it in the ballot envelope, seal it, make sure to sign the ballot oath, and then put it in the courier service envelope.

All details, including a step-by-step "how to guide", about the FedEx deal can be found at

www.democratsabroad.org/vote_from_germany

As a small thank you for your civic engagement, DA Germany is happy to mail you an "I Voted from Germany" sticker free of charge.

Get your free "I Voted from Germany" sticker here

(save the picture and already make it your prof pic, too!)

24 Hours of Reality — Countdown to the Future

Sunday, October 11 — 5:00pm

Join Democrats Abroad Germany and Dr. Ifung Lu for a brief journey through climate breakdown — the science, impacts and solutions, with a quick look at what a single family of four, recently immigrated to Germany, can do. We’ll talk about both individual and collective actions, including VOTING, and then transition into a healthy discussion about what we all can do together as Americans living in Germany.

This webinar is part of a 24-hour, global event organized by the Climate Reality Project and TED Countdown, where thousands of climate leaders will give short TED-talks to start conversations. We’re creating the world’s largest discussion on climate, all at the same time! 

Phonebanking Training

Monday, October 12 — 6:00pm

Calling is one of the best ways to get our members to vote! It’s easy and effective! Do you have time to make a few calls? Many of our members are at home, eager to receive them.

Learn how to phonebank at this online live training. For beginners or to refresh your skills or to share your experience! We’ll focus on the basics, take questions, describe the new texting feature, and discuss how it will be to call in the current environment.

Biden-Harris Online Rally

Sunday, October 18 — 3:00pm

Are you fired up and ready to put Joe and Kamala in the White House?! So are we! On Sunday, October 18, Democrats Abroad Germany is hosting an online Biden-Harris rally to keep our spirits high in these critical last few weeks. We'll look back at all the passionate resistance in Germany over the past four years, hear from politicians and activists, and sing along to the music of talented songwriters like Alfred McCrary, a Frankfurt local who recently composed "Ridin' with Biden". Join us as we bring this thing home!

It's not too late to show your support and help our cause! Get your Biden-Harris and Democrats Abroad swag today at www.democratsabroad.org/germanyshop. Biden-Harris shirts are going fast, so we recommend ordering soon if you'd like one.

We also welcome one-time or recurring donations, which can be directed to:

Account name: Democrats Abroad Germany

IBAN: DE04 5405 0220 0140 2702 99

BIC: MALADE51KLK

Thanks for reading and have a great rest of your weekend!

Yours,

DA Germany

Democrats Abroad Germany is making sure each and every U.S. citizen in Germany participates in the presidential election. We'll be in 19 locations around Germany on 10 October helping Americans get ready to vote. Drop by to meet Democrats Abroad.

If you can't drop by in person, it is not too late to request a ballot from home. Register to vote and request your absentee ballot 📝 All details can be found at www.democratsabroad.org/vote_from_germany.

Step number one: Visit www.votefromabroad.org to fill out your FPCA absentee ballot request — it only takes 5-10 minutes! If you’re not registered to vote, the FPCA also serves as a voter registration form. Given the uncertainty surrounding the United States Postal Service (USPS), we strongly encourage you to request that your absentee ballot is sent to you via email.

If you need help or have a question about voting, get LIVE 1-on-1 voter assistance any Sunday (24hrs), Tuesday, Thursday & Friday (6 pm-10 pm), and Saturday (8 am-4 pm) through November CEST to talk to a volunteer LIVE on Zoom about questions you have about voting from abroad. Access live help here. 

You're also welcome to contact us via this Google form or by writing to info-germany@democratsabroad.org. 

Democrats Abroad Germany ist zutiefst empört über die hasserfüllten und rassistischen Kommentare, die Tina Chittom von Republicans Overseas Germany wiederholt im Rahmen der gestern ausgestrahlten Talkshow mit Markus Lanz getätigt hat. Denkweisen, die die Menschenwürde in irgendeiner Form missachten und fremdenfeindlichen Verschwörungstheorien dienen, lehnen wir strikt ab.

Leider sind solche Denkweisen innerhalb der Republicans Overseas Germany weit verbreitet. Schon eine kurze Onlinerecherche der Organisation macht deutlich, dass diese nicht nur als Fundraising Super-PAC für Donald Trump fungiert, sondern auch, dass verschiedene Mitglieder der Gruppe nicht davor zurückschrecken, Minderheiten bewusst zu erniedrigen und menschenfeindliche eugenische Theorien zu verbreiten, indem sie beispielsweise Afro-AmerikanerInnen wiederholt als Kriminelle sowie Drogenabhängige diffamieren. Diese Tatsache hätte den ZDF-Redakteuren bewusst sein müssen, bevor sie sich dazu entschieden haben, Frau Chittom als Gast einzuladen.

In diesem Zusammenhang müssen wir ebenfalls unsere Enttäuschung darüber ausdrücken, dass zahlreiche deutsche Medien den Republicans Overseas Germany trotz derartiger Ausfälle immer wieder eine Plattform bieten, um ihre abstoßenden Denkweisen zu verbreiten – und das häufig ohne VertreterInnen der Demokratischen Partei als argumentatives Gegenüber einzuladen. 

Wir betrachten es als höchst inakzeptabel, Diskussionsrunden über Themen wie Rassismus in den Vereinigten Staaten zusammenzustellen, ohne dabei auf eine ausgewogene Gästeliste zu achten, die vor allem den Perspektiven von betroffenen Personengruppen Rechnung trägt. Als offizielles Organ der U.S.-Demokratischen Partei im Ausland vertritt Democrats Abroad Germany mehr als 16.000 U.S.-BürgerInnen in der Bundesrepublik, darunter viele deutschsprachige People of Color, die gerne bereit wären, über die politische Lage in den USA vor der Wahl zu diskutieren.

Democrats Abroad Germany is disgusted by the hateful and racist comments that Tina Chittom of Republicans Overseas Germany repeatedly made during yesterday's talk show with Markus Lanz. We strictly reject ways of thinking that disregard human dignity in any form and advance xenophobic conspiracy theories.

Unfortunately, such ideologies are widespread within Republicans Overseas Germany. A quick online search of the organization reveals that it not only functions as a fundraising Super PAC for Donald Trump, but that many members of the group do not shy away from consciously humiliating minorities and spreading hostile eugenic theories, for example by repeatedly defaming African Americans as criminals and drug addicts. It is unlikely that ZDF researchers and producers missed this before they decided to invite Ms. Chittom as a guest.

In this context, we must also express our disappointment that, despite openly embracing such offensive views, numerous German news outlets continue to provide Republicans Overseas Germany with a platform to spread their repulsive ways of thinking – often without inviting representatives of the Democratic Party as an argumentative counterpart.

We consider it highly unacceptable to host discussion panels on topics such as racism in the United States without paying attention to a balanced guest list – one that includes the perspectives of the people affected. As the official organ of the U.S. Democratic Party for Americans living overseas, Democrats Abroad Germany represents more than 16,000 U.S. citizens in the Federal Republic, including many German-speaking People of Color who would be willing to discuss the political situation in the United States before the election.

Fellow Democrats, 

With the Democratic National Convention (DNC) drawing to an end, Democrats around the world are reminded of how many talented, competent, and diverse candidates the Democratic Party has to offer — officials at all levels of government who are eager to repair the damage the current administration has done and to help create policies that work for all. We're reminded that things don't have to be the way they are. But we must show up on November 3 to get Democrats elected. As President Obama so bluntly stated last night, we cannot let them take away our democracy. For overseas voters especially, this means making a plan NOW to ensure that you're registered to vote and that your ballot will make it to the United States on time. Right here in Germany, we're gearing up for the biggest election of our lifetimes and doing everything we can to help Americans in Germany vote. But we need your help and engagement!

Read below for important updates on voting, how you can get involved, developments within DA Germany (like the founding of our 14th chapter, DA Saxony!), upcoming events (like a post-DNC conversation with DA's three delegates from Germany!), and how you can order Biden-Harris and DA merchandise (pictures below). 

If you're a U.S. citizen or dual-national, you have the right to vote from abroad in federal elections — don't let anyone tell you otherwise, especially in this critical election year!

—

Wenn Du die U.S.-amerikanische oder doppelte Staatsbürgerschaft besitzt, hast Du das Recht darauf, bei U.S-Wahlen auf Bundesebene zu wählen — lass Dir nichts anderes einreden, vor allem nicht in diesem kristischen Wahljahr!

—

Join Democrats Abroad Here

Last updated: October 27, 2020

As a U.S. citizen, you can register to vote from abroad while living, working, or traveling overseas by submitting one form, the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). It doesn't matter if you were registered to vote before you left the U.S. or how long you have lived outside the U.S. (including if you've never resided there).

Below you'll find an overview of the entire process of voting from abroad, including:

1. how to register to vote and request your ballot

2. how to confirm your request has been accepted

3. how and when you should receive your ballot

4. how to return your ballot

5. confirm your ballot's arrival

6. what to do if you encounter difficulties,

7. and how to get an "I voted from Germany" sticker!

Please note that there is NO IN-PERSON VOTING in Germany for the November election!

1.) Register to vote and request your ballot 📝

Visit www.votefromabroad.org to fill out your FPCA absentee ballot request — it only takes 5-10 minutes! If you're not registered to vote, the FPCA also serves as a voter registration form. Given the uncertainty surrounding the United States Postal Service (USPS), we strongly encourage you to request that your absentee ballot is sent to you via email.

Once you've filled out the form on www.votefromabroad.org, you will need to submit it to your local election office in the United States. While some states allow the FPCA to be submitted online via Vote from Abroad, others require a scanned or hard copy (the website will provide instructions based on the state you're voting in). If your state requires that you submit your FPCA by postal mail, please use expedited delivery with a courier (read about our discount with FedEx below). State deadlines and submission methods can be found here.

If you have any questions while filling out the form, you can also always refer to Vote from Abroad's FAQ section or type your question in the website's chatbox (red circle in the bottom right-hand corner).

2.) Confirm your request has been accepted and that you will receive a ballot ☑️

You should always verify with your local election official (LEO) that you will be receiving a ballot. After you send in your FPCA request form, call or email your LEO to verify they received it and will be sending a blank ballot to you. Your LEO's contact information is listed in the instructions generated when you complete the FPCA on Vote from Abroad. You can also look up their contact info here.

Alternatively, most states provide a website where you can verify your voter status, although these sites can sometimes be outdated. You can find it by searching for "[state] verify voter registration."

3.) Receive your ballot 📬

As required under the MOVE Act, all states must send absentee ballots to overseas voters no later than 45 days before a federal election (this year: September 19, 2020). You should have received your ballot by now. If you requested it and have not received it, please contact your LEO and submit a Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). You can also contact Democrats Abroad if you need help. There's no downside to submitting a FWAB. But you should also mail in your official ballot as soon as you receive it. All details about the FWAB can be found at the bottom of this page.*

4.) Return your ballot 🗳️

Once you've received your ballot, fill it out and return it immediately. Ballot return methods vary by state (online, email, postal mail, fax). Especially if your state only allows postal mail return — which is the case in many swing states like Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin — it is imperative that you return your ballot as quickly as possible. Try to return your ballot within 48 hours of receiving it.

Check your state's exact ballot return methods here.

If your state allows email or fax ballot return, please use these options as they’re not subject to delay. Here is more information on fax submission. Please note that some states that allow email or fax return require that the ballot be sent by postal mail, too.

If your state requires postal mail ballot return, we recommend using a courier service at this point (if financially feasible). 

If you still send with Deutsche Post, we do NOT recommend sending your ballot as registered mail ("Einschreiben"), as this may actually prevent your ballot from being delivered (ex. if your county clerk isn't there to sign, your ballot can end up being sent back to you). If you want to have a tracking feature without sending as registered mail, you will need to use a courier. 

We strongly recommend looking into this discounted rate from FedEx:

FedEx Express is kindly offering Americans abroad a discount to send ballots home reliably. US voters living in 10 European countries can now take advantage of a special rate for overnight return of their absentee ballot. From now through November, FedEx International Priority service for envelopes up to 500g sent to the USA costs just €25 from Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Denmark (kr.186), Poland (112 zł), Sweden (260 kr), and the United Kingdom (£23). This special is only bookable online — discounts will not be given if booking at a FedEx store or on the phone. Feel free to privately tell your friends and family, but please do not post about this on social media.

Please note that some DA Germany members have reported that FedEx delivery has taken longer than one day (sometimes upwards of four to five work days).

Please take your ballot to the post office / private courier's store to ensure it receives the correct postage.

Don't forget to write USA at the bottom of the address field.

Do NOT use the diplomatic pouch at U.S. embassies and consulates to return your ballot at this point. It is too late.

Regardless of how you send in your ballot, remember that you (the voter) must be the one who places it in the mail. In some states, it is unlawful for any other person to handle your voted ballot, even if it is sealed.

And when filling out your ballot and packaging your ballot, don't forget to carefully review the instructions. Don't let human error spoil your ballot! 

5.) Confirm your ballot arrival's at your local election office in the United States

Once you've mailed your ballot, follow up with your local election official to make sure that it arrived and will be counted. Please do not just assume that your ballot has made it! Nearly all states have online tracking services. You can find these by Googling "[your state] ballot tracking". You can also look up your local election office's contact details here, and try to contact them directly. They are experiencing an influx of calls, so you will likely need to remain persistent to get through to someone. 

6.) Having trouble? Need help? 😕

We understand that the process of voting from abroad can be confusing — that's why we're here to help. Check on the link below to get LIVE one-on-one support on Zoom at the times specified.

Sundays (24hrs)

Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays (6 pm-10 pm)

and Saturdays (8 am-4 pm) 

Access live help here.

You're also welcome to contact us via this Google form or by writing to info-germany@democratsabroad.org. 

7.) "I Voted from Germany" Stickers

As a small thank you for your civic engagement, Democrats Abroad Germany is happy to send you an "I Voted from Germany" sticker free of charge. Request yours here today: https://fs11.formsite.com/DAGermany/ivotedfromgermany/index.html. Download a digital sticker.

* Information on the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) 

If you requested an absentee ballot but have not yet received it, please submit a Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB), also known as a "backup" or "emergency" ballot.

What is the FWAB, and why should I use it?

The FWAB is a ballot specifically for overseas voters to use to preserve their vote in uncertain circumstances. Mailing in your FWAB now will protect your vote in case mail is curtailed in the coming weeks.

There's no downside to submitting a FWAB. But you should also mail in your official ballot as soon as you receive it. (Federal law required all states to send ballots to overseas voters by September 19.) If both the FWAB and your official ballot reach your voting jurisdiction by the deadline, only the official ballot will be counted and the FWAB will be discarded. 

How do I submit a FWAB?

If you haven't already submitted a Federal Postcard Application (FPCA) — the absentee ballot request form for overseas voters — this is your first step. You can do this at www.votefromabroad.org. If you're unsure, please fill it out again. Multiple submissions are okay, and your local election office must honor the most recent submission. Please note that information from your FPCA must match your information on your FWAB. 

To fill out the FWAB, go to www.fvap.gov/fwab-privacy-notice. Keep in mind that it is a ballot so be sure to read the instructions carefully!

Helpful details can also be found at www.votefromabroad.org/fwab, and for a detailed PowerPoint on how to fill out your FWAB, visit https://bit.ly/3jCPBrb.

YOUR VOTE MATTERS!

Democrats Abroad Germany sends three Delegates to the Democratic National Convention

Drei Delegierten von Democrats Abroad Germany nehmen an der Democratic National Convention teil

Tyler Cofield, Anya Leonhard and Diego Rivas are responsible for representing Democrats Abroad, probably the most diverse “state party”  as well as the campaign of the candidate they are pledged to at this unconventional DNC Convention.

Meet the young sovereign delegates. 

Tyler Cofield, Anya Leonhard und Diego Rivas vertreten Democrats Abroad, der wohl vielfältigsten "Staatspartei", sowie den Wahlkampf des Kandidaten, dem sie bei diesem unkonventionellen DNC-Kongress verpflichtet sind.

Lernen Sie die jungen souveränen Delegierten kennen.

Tyler Cofield is a 26-year-old dancer from the great state of Texas! He moved from the US to Frankfurt last summer, but is currently working in Warsaw. He is passionate about socioeconomics, politics, and of course the arts. Tyler started getting involved with Democrats Abroad because he believes in the civic responsibility of every citizen to participate in how they are governed. He is thrilled to be representing Senator Bernie Sanders at this year's Democratic National Convention and hopes to "get in good trouble" and make positive contributions to this democratic process.

“We are seeing increased hatred and police brutality towards the LGBT community world-wide. November 3, 2020, will be a deciding factor on if the US will join other “democratic” nations in a shift towards authoritarian governments favoring right-wing “strongmen” and their egos over the health and wellbeing of all of their citizens.”

Tyler Cofield ist ein 26-jähriger Tänzer aus dem großartigen Bundesstaat Texas! Er zog letzten Sommer von den USA nach Frankfurt, arbeitet aber derzeit in Warschau. Seine Leidenschaft gilt der Sozioökonomie, der Politik und natürlich der Kunst. Tyler begann, sich für die Democrats Abroad zu engagieren, weil er an die staatsbürgerliche Verantwortung eines jeden Bürgers glaubt, an der Art und Weise, wie er regiert wird, teilzuhaben. Er ist begeistert, Senator Bernie Sanders auf dem diesjährigen Nationalkonvent der Demokraten zu vertreten und hofft, "in gute Schwierigkeiten zu geraten" und positive Beiträge zu diesem demokratischen Prozess zu leisten.

"Wir beobachten weltweit zunehmenden Hass und Polizeibrutalität gegenüber der LGBT-Gemeinschaft. Der 3. November 2020 wird ein entscheidender Faktor dafür sein, ob sich die USA zusammen mit anderen "demokratischen" Nationen zu autoritären Regierungen hinwenden werden, die rechte "starke Männer" und ihre Egos gegenüber der Gesundheit und dem Wohlergehen aller ihrer Bürger bevorzugen.

Anya Leonhard, 22, is a medical student at Leipzig University and originally hails from New Orleans, Louisiana. She has lived in Leipzig since 2016. Through her work in German hospitals and her experience in the German education system, she has seen the necessity of Senator Sanders’s policies, especially universal healthcare and the cancellation of student debt.  

“This election will be a turning point for America and the world. In 2016, many Democrats didn't truly appreciate the potential consequences of a Trump presidency. Now, for almost four years, we have witnessed time and time again the damage he can do to our democracy. The President we elect will decide the balance of the Supreme Court, the outcome of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States and our relationship to foreign countries.” 

Anya Leonhard, 22, studiert an der Universität Leipzig im 10. Fachsemester Medizin und kommt ursprünglich auch New Orleans, Louisiana. Sie lebt seit 2016 in Deutschland. Das deutsche Gesundheitssystem und ihre Erfahrungen als Studentin in Deutschland haben die Notwendigkeit der Politik Bernie Sanders’ für sie demonstriert, insbesondere die Reformierung des US-Amerikanischen Gesundheitssystems und den Erlass von studienbedingten Schulden. 

"Diese Wahl wird ein Wendepunkt für Amerika und die Welt sein. Im Jahr 2016 wussten viele Demokraten die möglichen Folgen einer Trump-Präsidentschaft nicht wirklich zu schätzen. Jetzt, seit fast vier Jahren, haben wir immer wieder erlebt, welchen Schaden er unserer Demokratie zufügen kann. Der von uns gewählte Präsident wird über die Ausgewogenheit des Obersten Gerichtshofs, den Ausgang der COVID-19-Pandemie in den Vereinigten Staaten und unser Verhältnis zum Ausland entscheiden".

Diego Rivas has lived in Berlin since 2014 and votes in California. He is the Chair of the Berlin Chapter - the largest and probably the most progressive group of Americans in Germany. He is also a Democratic Party Committee Abroad Voting Member for Germany, and a Bernie Sanders Delegate to the 2020 Democratic National Convention. During the day, he works on transatlantic relations with the think tank Das Progressive Zentrum.  

“As someone from the United States living in Germany, it is difficult to watch as millions lose their jobs - and as a result their healthcare, during the middle of a public health crisis. This is unacceptable and as a nation, we must come together to guarantee health care as a right, not a privilege. The proposed Medicare for All would guarantee this human right to all in our country.” 

Diego Rivas lebt seit 2014 in Berlin und wählt in Kalifornien. Er ist der Vorsitzende des Berliner Chapters. Darüber hinaus ist er ein stimmberechtigtes Mitglied des Ausschusses der Democrats Abroad für Deutschland und Delegierter von Bernie Sanders auf der Democratic National Convention 2020. Tagsüber arbeitet er mit dem Think Tank Das Progressive Zentrum an den transatlantischen Beziehungen.  

"Als jemand aus den Vereinigten Staaten, der in Deutschland lebt, kann man nur schwer zusehen, wie Millionen Menschen mitten in einer Krise der öffentlichen Gesundheit ihren Arbeitsplatz verlieren - und infolgedessen auch ihre Gesundheitsversorgung. Das ist inakzeptabel, und als Nation müssen wir uns zusammenschließen, um die Gesundheitsversorgung als ein Recht und nicht als ein Privileg zu garantieren. Die vorgeschlagene "Medicare for All" würde dieses Menschenrecht für alle in unserem Land garantieren"

There are an estimated 120,000 U.S. citizens living in Germany, all of whom we want to remind to request their absentee ballots (request yours here). During these times of social distancing, this has become a more challenging task, but there is an easy way for you to help us reach voters: Get some Democrats Abroad and Vote From Abroad merchandise!

As members of the DA Germany Student Outreach Team and Youth Caucus, we stand in solidarity with international students pursuing their education at U.S. institutions and call for the immediate retraction of the proposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policies that unjustly target them.

On July 6, 2020, ICE released a statement that announced holders of certain student visas (F-1 and M-1) would be denied entry, extensions or targeted for deportation if they were not enrolled in in-person courses. The changes limit the amount of online credit hours students can take, at a time when more universities are switching to full-time online teaching in face of the CoVid-19 pandemic. This is a direct attack on the physical and mental well-being of students and local communities.

At a moment when the political and social demands of Black, Indigenous and people of color are being elevated and fought for in the streets, we understand that the proposed changes disproportionally affect international students from lower economic backgrounds or global spaces with limited technology, making online courses increasingly difficult. It similarly denies students who left the USA at the beginning of the pandemic an opportunity to return to the lives they have built. We find this unacceptable and in-line with other condemnable ICE policies that target migrant communities throughout the United States.

From our own experiences studying abroad in Germany (and various other places), we know that the denial of a visa does not only mean refused access to education but it also means the upheaval of personal lives and connections that are built every day, for some it may even mean a loss of livelihood. International students are a crucial part of the lives of universities and colleges not only in the US but worldwide, and they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. We appreciate initiatives at the state-level aimed at protecting students and stopping the regulations from being implemented.

We therefore stand in solidarity with all international students in the United States and globally.

Links to support:

http://www.change.org/p/immigration-and-customs-enforcement-stop-sevp-from-blocking-international-students-from-their-colleges-and-universities

http://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/allow-international-students-finish-their-degrees

Make a video letting people know why you vote from abroad.

Your video will be used to make a compilation video of members of Democrats Abroad saying “I vote from abroad because” and then their reason

You can make a partisan video. Or you can make a non-partisan which refers to general issues such as the environment, health care, etc. with mentioning anyone in particular.

Here is a sample video to use as a template