Media Invitation: (German version below)

The US Primaries Are Coming to Germany

Americans will cast ballots at over 40 voting centers

February 18, 2020 – On the most important day of the US primary process – “Super Tuesday” on March 3 – the over 100,000 US citizens living in Germany will also have the opportunity to cast a ballot and help determine who the Democratic presidential nominee will be.

Democrats Abroad, the official arm of the US Democratic Party for US citizens living overseas, will conduct its own state primary, the Global Presidential Primary, from March 3-10, 2020. In Germany, US citizens will be able to cast ballots at 43 voting centers in 30 cities across the country – just like they would in the United States. Similar to the 50 US states, Democrats Abroad will also send delegates (21) to the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in July 2020. At the Convention, the Democratic candidate who will run against Trump in the general election in November 2020 will be selected. The votes cast during the Global Presidential Primary, including those from Germany, will influence the candidate selection process. 

“It’s truly unique and meaningful that the US Democratic Party considers the preferences of US citizens abroad. We are very pleased to be able to conduct a large number of voting centers nationwide as part of the Global Presidential Primary – and thus enable Americans throughout Germany to actively participate in the electoral process,” said Candice Kerestan, Chair of Democrats Abroad in Germany. “2020 is a critical year for the future of democracy, and Democrats Abroad is committed to mobilizing Americans around the world to restore respect, dignity, and integrity in the highest offices of our nation. The Global Presidential Primary is a promising starting point to do just that.”

We know that the world – and many in Germany – are closely following the primary process to see who will face Trump in the November election. We cordially invite you to join us at one of our 43 voting centers to learn more about the voting, primary, and nomination processes firsthand. All information on our voting centers, including dates, times, and locations, can be found here: https://www.democratsabroad.org/de_primary. 

We look forward to seeing you at one of our  voting centers in Germany. If you are unable to attend in person, I am happy to arrange alternative interview formats. Please feel free to pass this invitation along to your colleagues. Hope to see you there!

For more information about Democrats Abroad and the Global Presidential Primary, please take a look at our press kit.

Presseeinladung

Die US-Präsidentschaftsvorwahlen kommen nach Deutschland

AmerikanerInnen geben in über 40 Wahllokalen bundesweit ihre Stimme ab

18. Februar 2020 – Am wichtigsten Tag der US-Präsidentschaftsvorwahlen – dem sogenannten „Super Tuesday“ am 3. März 2020 – haben auch die über 100.000 in der Bundesrepublik lebenden AmerikannerInnen die Gelegenheit, von Deutschland aus über die Demokratischen Präsidentschaftskandidaten mitzubestimmen. 

Democrats Abroad Germany, die offizielle Vertretung der US-Demokratischen Partei im Ausland, führt vom 3. bis 10. März im Rahmen des „Global Presidential Primary“ bundesweit Wahlen in 30 Städten durch, in denen AmerikanerInnen einen Stimmzettel vor Ort abgeben können – so wie sie es aus ihrem Heimatland kennen. Genau wie die 50 US-Bundesstaaten wird auch Democrats Abroad im Juli 2020 eigene Delegierte zum Parteitag der US-Demokratischen Partei in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, schicken. Dort wird die Person bestimmt, die bei der Präsidentschaftswahl im November gegen Trump antreten wird. Auch die Stimmen, die im Rahmen des Global Presidential Primary in Deutschland abgegeben wurden, erfahren dabei in Form der 21 stimmberechtigten Delegierten von Democrats Abroad Berücksichtigung. 

„Es ist wirklich etwas Besonderes, dass die US-Demokratische Partei auf die Präferenzen von US-BürgerInnen im Ausland Wert legt. Wir freuen uns sehr, im Rahmen des Global Presidential Primary bundesweit eine Vielzahl von Wahllokalen durchführen zu können – und es AmerikanerInnen in ganz Deutschland somit ermöglichen, sich aktiv am Vorwahlprozess zu beteiligen“, sagt Candice Kerestan, Vorsitzende von Democrats Abroad in Deutschland. „2020 wird ein entscheidendes Jahr für die Zukunft der Demokratie, und Democrats Abroad sieht sich dazu verpflichtet, AmerikanerInnen weltweit zu mobilisieren, um Respekt, Würde und Integrität in den höchsten Ämtern unserer Nation wiederherzustellen. Das Global Presidential Primary stellt einen vielversprechenden Ausgangspunkt dafür dar.”

Da zahlreiche deutsche BürgerInnen die Vorwahlen mit Interesse verfolgen und das Resultat der diesjährigen US-Präsidentschaftswahlen globale Auswirkungen haben wird, laden wir Sie herzlich zu einem unserer 43 Wahllokale ein, um mehr über die Vorwahlen sowie den Abstimmungsprozess zu erfahren. Alle Informationen zu den Wahllokalen finden Sie hier: https://www.democratsabroad.org/de_primary. Über die Gelegenheit, Sie in unseren Wahllokalen begrüßen und persönlich mit Ihnen sprechen zu dürfen, freuen wir uns sehr. Diese Einladung kann selbstverständlich an Ihre KollegInnen weitergeleitet werden. 

Lesen Sie mehr über Democrats Abroad und die globale Präsidentschaftsvorwahl in unserer Pressemappe.

Media Invitation: German version below

Democrats Abroad Germany’s Annual General Meeting

Record-high attendance with appearances from U.S. presidential campaigns

Munich, January 21, 2020 – On January 25, 2020, Democrats Abroad Germany (DA Germany) will hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Munich and focus on the theme "Getting Out the Vote -- At Home and Abroad". 

“2020 is going to be a pivotal year for the future of American democracy. At Democrats Abroad Germany, we remain committed to mobilizing the over 100,000 Americans in Germany to restore respect, dignity, and integrity to our nation’s highest offices,” says Candice Kerestan, Chair, DA Germany.

On Saturday, January 25, the main meeting will begin with an introduction to our organization and a brief highlight of our activities across Germany over the past year. Our full attention will then be directed at how we can work together nationwide to get out the vote in 2020. In the afternoon, we'll discuss the Global Presidential Primary, Democrats Abroad’s state primary for Americans overseas, and hear from campaigns who will be on the ballot. All Democratic presidential primary candidates’ campaigns were invited to attend, and the Biden, Buttigieg, Gabbard, Patrick, Sanders, Steyer, Warren, and Yang campaigns have agreed to participate.

Following the meeting, we’ll gather for a three-course gala dinner at the nearby restaurant Zum Franziskaner and hear from David Shor, an Obama-campaign-trained data analyst who works in close cooperation with many presidential campaigns to examine how data can help Democrats win in 2020. 

We would appreciate your interest in this event. If you would like to attend, I would be happy to coordinate interviews with DA Germany leadership as well. 

The meeting will take place on

Saturday, January 25, 2020,

From 09:00 a.m. – 06:00 p.m.  - U.S. Presidential Campaigns will speak at 1:30 p.m.

In the Foyer/Saal at the Literaturhaus (3rd floor), Salvatorplatz 1, 80333 Munich

Cocktails and Dinner with Guest Speaker David Shor

From 7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

At Zum Franziskaner, Studentensaal, Residenzstr. 9, 80333 Munich

Announcement: Democrats Abroad’s Global Presidential Primary

All Americans living outside the United States - provided they are eligible to vote, at least 18 years of age on or before November 3, 2020, and members of Democrats Abroad - may participate in Democrats Abroad’s Global Presidential Primary, which will be held worldwide from March 3*-11, 2020.

Democrats Abroad Germany’s 30 polling locations and times are finalized and will be announced January 20, 2020.

*March 3, 2020 is “Super Tuesday,” when 15 state parties, including Democrats Abroad, hold their primaries. Since Democrats Abroad has voting centers in “early” time zones of New Zealand, Australia and across Asia, the first ballots cast on Super Tuesday will be cast in Democrats Abroad’s Global Presidential Primary.

Presse-Einladung:

Democrats Abroad Germany Jahresversammlung

Rekordbeteiligung mit Auftritten der US-Präsidentschaftskampagnen

München, 21 Januar, 2020 – Am 25 Januar, 2020, wird Democrats Abroad Germany (DA Germany) ihre Jahresversammlung (AGM) in München mit dem Fokus auf die Thematik "Getting Out the Vote -- At Home and Abroad" („Wahlbeteiligung“ – zu Hause und im Ausland“ abhalten.

„2020 wird ein entscheidendes Jahr für die Zukunft der amerikanischen Demokratie. Bei Democrats Abroad Germany setzen wir uns weiterhin dafür ein, die über 100.000 Amerikaner in Deutschland zu mobilisieren, um den höchsten Ämtern unseres Landes Respekt, Würde und Integrität zu verleihen “, sagt Candice Kerestan, Vorsitzende der DA Deutschland.

Am Samstag, den 25. Januar, beginnt die Jahresversammlung mit einer Einführung in unsere Organisation und einem kurzen Überblick unserer wesentlichen Aktivitäten im vergangenen Jahr in Deutschland. Unsere volle Aufmerksamkeit wird sich dann darauf richten, wie wir bundesweit zusammenarbeiten können, um eine hohe Wahlbeteiligung im Jahr 2020 zu erreichen. Am Nachmittag werden wir über die Global Presidential Primary („globale Präsidentschaftsvorwahl“) und US Bundesstaten Primary Wahlen („Vorwahlen“) von Demokraten im Ausland sprechen. Zudem werden Präsidentschaftskampagnen, die zur Wahl stehen, sich vorstellen. Alle Kampagnen der demokratischen Präsidentschaftskandidaten wurden eingeladen, und die Kampagnen von Biden, Buttigieg, Gabbard, Patrick, Sanders, Steyer, Warren und Yang sagten der Teilnahme zu.

Im Anschluss an die Versammlung werden wir uns zu einem dreigängigen Abendessen im nahe gelegenen Restaurant Zum Franziskaner treffen.  Dort wird David Shor, ein von der Obama-Kampagne ausgebildeter Datenanalyst, welcher eng mit vielen Präsidentschaftswahlkampagnen zusammenarbeitet, einen Vortrag darüber halten wie Datenauswertung dazu beitragen kann damit Demokraten 2020 ihre Wahlen gewinnen.

Wir würden uns über Ihr Interesse an dieser Veranstaltung freuen. Wenn Sie teilnehmen möchten, koordiniere ich gerne auch Interviews mit der Führung von DA Deutschland.

Jahresversammlung Datum und Ort

Samstag, den 25 Januar 2020

Von 9:00 Uhr bis18:00 Uhr

Vorträge der U.S. Präsidentschaftskampagnen finden ab 13.30 Uhr statt.

Im Foyer/Saal vom Literaturhaus (3. Stock), Salvatorplatz 1, 80333 München

Cocktails und Abendessen mit Gastredner David Shor von 19:30 Uhr – 22:00 Uhr

Ort: Zum Franziskaner, Studentensaal, Residenzstr. 9, 80333 München

Bekanntgabe: Democrats Abroad’s Global Presidential Primary (“Globale Vorwahl zur Präsidentschaftswahl“)

Alle außerhalb der Vereinigten Staaten lebenden Amerikaner - vorausgesetzt, sie sind wahlberechtigt, mindestens 18 Jahre alt, am oder vor dem 3. November 2020 und Mitglieder von Democrats Abroad - können an der Global Presidential Primary von Democrats Abroad teilnehmen, die weltweit vom 3. bis zum 11. März 2020 stattfindet.

Die 30 Wahllokale und Öffnungszeiten der Demokraten im Ausland in Deutschland stehen fest und werden am 20. Januar 2020 bekannt gegeben.

Der 3. März 2020 ist ein „Super Tuesday“  („Super-Dienstag“), an dem Demokraten von 15 Bundestaaten, darunter Demokraten im Ausland, ihre Vorwahlen abhalten. Wegen den Wahlen in "frühen" Zeitzonen Neuseelands, Australiens und Asiens werden die ersten Stimmzettel, die am Super Tuesday abgegeben werden, in der Global Presidential Primary von Democrats Abroad abgegeben.

DEMOCRATS ABROAD CALLS ON AMERICANS IN GERMANY TO PARTICIPATE IN 2020 PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY

- Organization makes push to reach historically underrepresented minority groups -

WASHINGTON, May 03, 2019 – Democrats Abroad, the largest organization for Americans living overseas and the official Democratic Party arm for the millions of Americans living outside the United States, today announced the adoption of its 2020 Delegate Selection Plan.

The Delegate Selection Plan outlines how American Democrats living abroad can participate in the presidential primary process and takes its place alongside plans from all other state Democratic parties. Key elements include rules and processes for the Democrats Abroad Global Presidential Primary (March 3-10, 2020), and how delegates will be selected to represent Americans abroad at the 2020 Democratic National Convention.

“The Global Presidential Primary and Delegate Selection Process ensures Americans abroad have the opportunity to easily participate in the Democratic primary process while also bringing our unique issues to the attention of Democratic presidential candidates,” explained Julia Bryan, Democrats Abroad International Chair. “Democrats Abroad is representative of the millions of Democratic voters living abroad and voting in all 50 states; we welcome participation by the wide range of citizens living outside the US who share the core values of the Democratic Party, and we are making every effort to engage more Americans living abroad than ever before.”

All Americans living outside the United States, including those in Germany, may participate in the primary and run for a  convention delegate position, provided they are eligible to vote and turn 18 on or before November 3, 2020, and that they are Democrats Abroad members.

Members will be notified on how they may run for a delegate position and participate in the Global Presidential Primary, including voting dates and locations, as well as how new voters (and those voting overseas for the first time) can register and request their ballots for general and special elections throughout 2020.

Democrats Abroad’s delegation to the 2020 Democratic National Convention will consist of 12 elected delegates and one alternate, in addition to the eight Democrats Abroad Democratic National Committee members.

Democrats Abroad is also taking major steps to encourage participation by the full and diverse composition of the Democratic electorate, through the Democrats Abroad Affirmative Action Committee. The organization will focus on reaching groups historically underrepresented in Democratic Party affairs, by virtue of race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

"All of the Democrats Abroad Affirmative Action Committee members are proud Americans who are just as enthusiastic about 2020 as I am in taking back the White House. As such, we are fully committed to looking closely at every step of the delegate selection process to identify opportunities for participation by our members who come from historically disadvantaged groups,” said Michael Ramos, who serves as Chair of the Democrats Abroad Affirmative Action Committee.

Details on how to participate in the primary process can be found in the Democrats Abroad Delegate Selection Plan, available here: www.democratsabroad.org/2020primary.

Key Upcoming Dates:

• 3-10 March 2020: Democrats Abroad Global Presidential Primary
• 16 May 2020: Democrats Abroad Global Convention
• 13-16 July 2020: Democratic National Convention
• 3 November, 2020: United States Presidential Election

Press Contact:
Beverly Seebach
press@democratsabroad.de
+49 151 6884 1588

Media Invitation: DEMOCRATS ABROAD LIGHTS FOR LIBERTY VIGILS

Washington, July 11, 2019 – On July 12, “Close the Camps / Lights for Liberty” events will be taking place around the world and across the US to rally against the ongoing inhumane treatment of immigrants at US detention centers. Democrats Abroad (DA) and other organizations will be helping to take this action global.
Americans here in Germany are also speaking up, and we invite you to join DA Germany – in person or online – as we take a stance on this important issue.
Attend one of our events in Germany
We’d really appreciate your interest if you’d like to attend, and I’d be happy to help coordinate interviews with our volunteers as well. Please feel free to pass along this invitation to interested colleagues. The event is free to all attendees. While we anticipate that many Americans will join, local friends and families are welcome to participate as well.

Berlin Lights for Liberty Vigil
In front of US Embassy Berlin
Pariser Platz
10117 Berlin

July 12, 2019 at 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Düsseldorf Lights for Liberty Vigil
In front of Hauptbahnhof
Konrad-Adenauer-Platz
40210 Düsseldorf
July 12, 2019 at 8:00pm – 9:00pm

Hamburg Lights for Liberty Vigil
In front of US Consulate Hamburg
Alsterufer 27/28
20354 Hamburg
July 12, 2019 at 8:30pm – 9:30pm

Munich Lights for Liberty Vigil
In front of the Friedensengel
Prinzregentenstraße
81675 Munich
July 12, 2019 at 7:00pm – 8:00pm

DA Germany event contacts
Aileen Dinin, Chair of the Düsseldorf-Ruhr Chapter of DA Germany
Chesney McKinley Severance, Chair of the Hamburg Chapter of DA Germany
Patrick Oberlaender, Chair of the Munich Chapter of DA Germany
Diego Rivas, Chair of the Berlin Chapter of DA Germany

Join the virtual vigil
#DAResists #LightsforLIberty #NeverAgainIsNow #ClosetheCamps
Join our online vigil to stand with detainees, asylum seekers, and immigrant families. We’ll include your photo to create a giant collage of Americans from all over the world, like this one.

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release

March 6, 2019

Democrats Abroad Germany Introduces Newly Elected Executive Committee

Heidelberg - Democrats Abroad Germany, the official arm of the Democratic Party in Germany, elected its new Executive Committee at their Annual General Meeting held on February 23, 2019, in Heidelberg. Incoming leaders, who will serve in their respective positions until 2021, are responsible for upholding and supporting the work of the Democratic Party Committee Abroad in Germany.

DA Germany announces the following newly elected leaders:

At-Large Positions:

As American politics has come to the forefront of global concern with the Trump administration, DA Germany aims to be the point of contact for Americans living in Germany and help actively connect them with government and civic engagement back home.

“Following the general election in 2016, we witnessed an outpouring of concern and activity from Americans living in Germany,” noted Candice Kerestan, Chair of DA Germany. “While this momentum to make a change was reflected in the recent midterm elections – where Democrats regained the House, flipped seven governors’ mansions, and picked up hundreds of state legislative seats nationwide – we must continue building upon this to take back the White House in 2020. Moving forward, the newly elected Executive Committee is determined to keep improving outreach to Americans, provide even greater opportunities for our members to learn about and engage with US politics, and make our voices heard while living in Germany.”

The elections are one facet of an ongoing program of activities for DA Germany. For more information please visit our website at http://www.democratsabroad.org/de.

- END -

For Immediate Release

Date: April 5, 2017  

News desks

Excitement Spreads as Democrats Abroad Germany Picks New Executive Committee

Democrats gathered in Berlin to talk politics and plan for the Congressional races in 2018  

Berlin- Things were looking up for Democrats living abroad in Germany over the weekend as 130 attendees from all over the country, as well as guests from the UK, the Netherlands, Spain, Czech Republic, and France, gathered for the 2017 Annual General Meeting.  In attendance were ten chapters and 15 precincts, and 9 remote viewing/voting centers were set-up for those that could not attend in person.

The agenda for the meeting was set and the participants quickly began to talk about the current political situation at hand, and what everyone could do to make sure that there would be Democratic victory in 2018.

Interactive workshops took place where members were given the opportunity to share their ideas on sustaining a volunteer organization. The participants gave their input on what issues they cared about, what resources they needed to meet their goals and guidance for finding allies. This was an empowering moment for many who wanted to shape the direction of Democrats Abroad Germany as they voiced their concerns over the Trump Administration’s current actions.

After the workshop sessions, the election process to select the new Executive Committee (national leadership) began. Members from all backgrounds, experiences and ideas, but with the same goal in mind, took center stage as they gave their speeches underling the issue that Democrats needed to face, and which approaches will help insure a victory in 2018. At the end, a momentous moment for DAG arose as over 2/3 of women and 1/4 of young Democrats were elected to the Executive Committee. One