Nominations for DPCA Executive Officers Are Now Open!
You are invited to submit a nomination (or self-nomination) for the following positions:
- International Chair
- International Vice Chair
- International Treasurer
- International Secretary
- International Counsel
Deadline: Please submit nominations via the nomination form no later than Tuesday, April 15th, 11:59 PM EDT. This date and time mark the close of nominations.
Eligibility Requirements
Per the Democrats Abroad Charter, Article Four:
- Membership Duration: Nominees must have been members of Democrats Abroad for more than six (6) months prior to the close of nominations for the DPCA election (i.e., since October 15, 2024).
- Term Limits: Each international officer serves a term of two years and may not serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office.
- Chair and Vice Chair Criteria: The International Chair and Vice Chair must be from different Country Committees and must identify as different sexes or genders, as declared by each candidate prior to the election. The term “sex” includes male, female, intersex, or any legally recognized classification of sex or gender within U.S. jurisdictions.
- Regional Representation: No more than two officers may be from the same Country Committee at the time of election, and officers must represent at least two (2) different Regions.
- Legal Qualification: The International Counsel must be a qualified legal practitioner.
Descriptions of officer roles and responsibilities can be viewed on the Democrats Abroad Officer Roles and Responsibilities page.
Nomination Requirements
Each nomination must affirm that the nominee meets the following qualifications:
- U.S. Citizenship: Proof of citizenship (e.g., passport copy or other valid document) is required.
- Residency Abroad: Nominees must reside outside the United States.
- Adherence to Democratic Principles: Nominees must adhere to the principles of the Democratic Party of the United States.
- Membership Duration: Nominees must have been members of Democrats Abroad for more than six (6) months prior to the close of nominations for the DPCA election.
- Legal Qualification (for Counsel): Nominees for International Counsel must be qualified to practice law.
Eligible nominees will be asked to complete a questionnaire to provide a detailed candidate profile that will be published on the Democrats Abroad website.
Additional Information
The Nominations and Elections Committee (NEC) will provide guidance on its decisions and processes.
The DPCA Charter allows nominations of qualified candidates from the floor during the election meeting. The NEC is determining how this will be facilitated.
Newly elected officers will assume their duties immediately following the election at the online 2025 Democrats Abroad Global Meeting.
Current International Officers
- Chair: Martha McDevitt-Pugh (Netherlands)*
- Vice-Chair: Steve Nardi (Canada)*
- Secretary: Karen Frankenstein (Germany)*
- Treasurer: Daniela Salvioni (Italy)*
- Counsel: Anne Brady (Ireland)*
Officers marked with an asterisk (*) are serving their first term and are eligible to run again.
Contact Information
For questions, please email: [email protected].
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the DPCA Nominations and Elections Committee (2025):
- Brett McHargue (Thailand), Chair
- Carmelan Polce (Australia)
- Connie Sandlin (Costa Rica)
- Diane Bonneau (France)
- Jessica Espadas (Brazil)
- Helenka Kinnan (Italy)
- Michelle Gantt (Portugal)
- Shari Temple (Germany)
- Summer Tillman (United Kingdom), Counsel