News

Strasbourg Chapter Elections

The nomination period for the Strasbourg Chapter elections is now closed.

Members of the Strasbourg Chapter will receive a ballot by email, and electronic voting will end on March 13th at 6pm CET.

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The Election Board is pleased to announce the candidates!

Candidate for Chapter Chair: Steve Meszaros

I have been involved in DA since 2003, with a long break from 2009 to 2016 (when everything was ok! :-) ). I became Chapter Chair a little over a year ago when the previous Chair stepped down due to work commitments. I would like to continue to lead the Strasbourg chapter through successful elections in the coming 2 years.

Candidate for Vice Chair: Barbara Wells 

I have had the honor to serve in DA Strasbourg, both as Vice Chair and Chair. I am running now for the position of Vice Chair as part of our DA Strasbourg team, dedicated to help keep our local chapter active and engaged during these challenging times. 

Candidate for Secretary: Vivianne Beller

I am running for the position of secretary of Democrats Abroad Strasbourg. I have served in several positions in the past. I was chair for eight years and vice chair for six and I hope to remain active in our chapter and keep our presence here thriving. 

Candidate for Treasurer: John Czechanski 

John is a long standing member of DA Strasbourg and has agreed to continue on as Treasurer, a position he has already held for several terms.

Candidate for Comms / Social Media Coordinator: Johanna Meszaros

Johanna is an International Relations student and is active in DA as Co-Chair Communications for the Global Women's Caucus as well as aiding DA France in communications / social media issues with her design skills. She has agreed to help DA Strasbourg make a greater splash in the coming years.

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All members of the Strasbourg Chapter may vote in the leadership elections. The elections will be decided by a plurality of votes (the candidate who gets the most votes in the election wins). DAF does not accept proxy votes. The ballot includes a space for write-in candidates for all positions.  

New members are welcome to join and vote. To join: www.democratsabroad.org/join.

You must be a US citizen 18 years of age or older by Nov. 7, 2023. New members may join until the day before the election.

Questions? Please contact the DA France Strasbourg Chapter Election Board at:

[email protected]

Thank you for voting!


2021 Strasbourg Chapter Leadership Candidates

The nominations period for the 2021 Strasbourg Chapter Elections has now closed. Please find below statements for some of the candidates standing for the Leadership Board, including some for specified offices.

The Annual General Meeting for the Strasbourg Chapter of DA France will take place on March 7th at 6PM — RSVP here. Elections are underway via electronic ballot available to all members of the Strasbourg Chapter from February 27 to noon, March 7. Please join us on March 7 to hear the election results and meet the new leadership team.

New members are welcome to join and vote prior to the close of voting. To join: www.democratsabroad.org/join. You must be a US citizen 18 years of age or older by November 2, 2021. 

If you are a member of DAF Strasbourg Chapter and do not receive a link to the online election but would like one, please contact the DA France Strasbourg Election Board - Barbara, Vivianne, and Ada at [email protected]


CANDIDATE STATEMENT FOR CHAPTER CHAIR 

PATRICK GANNE

Bonjour, my name is Patrick GANNE. I am declaring my candidacy to serve on the Democrats Abroad Strasbourg Board and to run for Chapter Chair.

I have been a member of the Strasbourg Chapter of Democrats Abroad France for longer than I can remember. I have served on the Democrats Abroad Strasbourg Board for the past four years. I wish to continue my service to our community, our nation and my fellow Democrats. 

I have assisted in the planning and execution of numerous events in pre-Corona 19 times and it is my intent to continue doing so once we are free to publicly and safely meet in person.

As a Candidate for Chair of Democrats Abroad Strasbourg I will bring whatever meager talents and experience I possess to the position and dedicate myself to making the Strasbourg Chapter of Democrats Abroad France the absolute best that it can be.


CANDIDATE STATEMENT FOR CHAPTER SECRETARY

STEVE MESZAROS

I’m originally from Maryland, have lived in the Alsace for 20 years and joined DA in 2004. I consider it vital to get as many Americans as possible out to vote and donate in the coming election cycles – even more so than in the past due to the fractured state of our nation and the unending saga of Trumpism. 

To this effect there are several things I consider important for the Strasbourg chapter in the coming months:

  • Increasing activities again as soon as the pandemic allows. This includes both social events and events providing political information, lectures, and discourse.
  • Increasing contact with local media to make Americans in the area aware of the Strasbourg DA chapter and attracting new members.
  • Cooperating with DA Switzerland and DA Germany to build a critical mass for larger, more attractive events.

CANDIDATES FOR CHAPTER COMMS OFFICER 

KEVIN MORGAN-ROTHSCHILD

I write to you today for your consideration as Communications and Social Media Officer of the Democrats Abroad Strasbourg Chapter. 

In 2019, I started to feel more and more disturbed by the situation in our home country. Briefly, I considered moving back to get involved in the upcoming election, ultimately, I decided to stay in Strasbourg and continue my life here. During the summer of 2020, I discovered this chapter via Facebook. Becoming a part of the movement to elect a Democratic candidate for president of the United States fulfilled my untapped desire from years prior.

Throughout the months of August to October I worked to encourage followers of our page to vote in the November election. Additionally, I co-organized two debate bingo games. This is why this February; I ask to join the board of Democrats Abroad Strasbourg chapter so that we can keep working to preserve democracy together.


CANDIDATES FOR CHAPTER LEADERSHIP BOARD

CRAIG GOODMAN

This last election has clearly shown us, if there was any doubt, that small numbers of votes can prove to be decisive.  Our votes from abroad may well have been the few thousand here and there that helped the Biden-Harris team win.  With this in mind, I want to continue to serve.  A US citizen, American born and educated, I have lived in France since 1987; first in Paris, and since 1998 in Strasbourg.  My two children attended school in the French public schools' Anglophone international section.  I am a career musician, professor at the Haute Ecole des Arts du Rhin (HEAR); Conservatoire, and artistic director of an international festival in Denmark. I believe in France's societal model as well as the importance for the US to revive, enhance and expand its promising identity.  


THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE GLOBAL PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY!

Image may contain: possible text that says 'THANK YOU FOR VOTING
IN THE GLOBAL PRIMARY! Primary results will be announced March 23,
2020'

 NEXT STEP: ARE YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE IN NOVEMBER?

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VOTE IN THE 2020 GLOBAL PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY - Strasbourg voting centre

GPP Voting Center Strasbourg: In person voting on 6 March from 16 - 20:00 at Maison des Associations, 1a place des Orphelins, 67000 Strasbourg

The Global Presidential Primary is a week-long voting period — kicking off on March 3, Super Tuesday — for Democrats Abroad members to participate in our official party-run presidential primary. We’re holding more than 220 events in 45 countries around the world, and we hope you’ll be joining us.

Am I eligible?

If you’re a Democrat Abroad member and you haven’t voted (or plan to vote) in any other 2020 state presidential primary/caucus, you’re eligible to vote in the Global Presidential Primary.

What if I can't join a voting event in person?

If you can’t join us at the voting center in Strasbourg, you can vote remotely. Look for your primary ballot in your inbox on February 18, or, starting on that date, download it from democratsabroad.org.

Do votes in the GPP count? Why should I participate in the GPP instead of voting in my state’s presidential primary?

Yes your vote counts! In fact, you could even say that votes in the GPP count even more. Tens of thousands of people will participate in the global primary, but millions will vote in your home state. That means that your vote in the Global Presidential Primary is more powerful than voting in the California primary. In fact, it’s four times more powerful.

I vote in California. Can I vote in the Global Presidential Primary and the California primary?

You can only vote in a presidential primary once. If you vote in the global primary and want to vote in California for the down-ballot primary races (like for your congressperson), you can! Just skip the presidential section on your California ballot.

Where can I ask further questions?

Please email [email protected] for voting-related questions, and [email protected] for other questions.

Help us spread the word! Consider liking and sharing our Facebook posts about the GPP!

 

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DA STRASBOURG - LIGHTS FOR LIBERTY

On July 12,  DA Strasbourg joined the world-wide "Lights for Liberty/Close the Camps Vigil". In the background, the locked gates of the European Court of Human Rights, a symbolic reminder of the barriers at the Mexican-U.S. border that prevent migrants and refugees fleeing poverty and persecution from exercising their fundamental rights to dignity and safety; as darkness falls on children taken from their parents and packed in cages.


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DA STRASBOURG AT MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONIES IN ST AVOLD AND EPINAL

The ceremonies were, as usual, very moving and a great tribute to Franco-American friendship and cooperation.

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DA STRASBOURG CHAPTER BOARD ELECTION 2019

The time has come to renew the Board of the Strasbourg Chapter of Democrats Abroad France! 

 

 

The election will be held at the Strasbourg Chapter Election/Annual General Meeting on Saturday, March 23, 2019 from 4:00 to 5:00 at The Dubliners Irish Pub, 7 rue du vieux marché aux poissions, Strasbourg. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the candidates and to hear from each of them before voting. For those unable to attend, voting will also be possible electronically or by email (see below).

The chapter board will be comprised of the following members:

  • Chapter Chair
  • Chapter Vice Chair
  • Chapter Treasurer
  • Chapter Secretary
  • Up to six Members-at-Large 

✔️ YOU WILL RECEIVE YOUR EARLY VOTE/ABSENTEE BALLOT VIA EMAIL. If you do not receive the ballot from DA Strasbourg via email, it is because you have chosen to opt OUT of receiving our emails. To opt IN to receiving emails from Democrats Abroad, sign in and go to your member account at www.democratsabroad.org.

✔️ TO RECEIVE A BALLOT BY EMAIL (EXCEPTIONALLY), please send a ballot request to [email protected], specifying how you would like your ballot to be delivered and providing the email address where you would like to receive your ballot.

** The deadline to return your ballot (electronically or via email) is by the end of day March 21st **

✔️ YOU MAY ALSO VOTE IN-PERSON AT THE DA STRASBOURG CHAPTER ELECTION ON MARCH 23rd.

✔️ Note: you MUST be a member of the Democrats Abroad France - Strasbourg chapter to receive a ballot and to vote in the chapter elections. If you are not yet a member, you can join at www.democratsabroad.org/join. In order to vote in-person at the election meeting, please join by the end of day March 22nd. If you are a DA France member who has recently moved to the Strasbourg area, please ensure that your address is up-to-date in your membership account by going to www.democratsabroad.org under ACCOUNT SETTINGS.

Questions? Contact us at [email protected].

 

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Democrats Abroad Strasbourg

photo by Robert Glod

WELCOME TO DEMOCRATS ABROAD STRASBOURG!

Democrats Abroad Strasbourg is the third oldest chapter of DA France, the official country committee for US Democrats living in France.  At the heart of Europe, and home to several European institutions, including the European Parliament and Court of Human Rights, Strasbourg is an ideal setting for international political observers and activists. This helps inspire our chapter to organize a variety of activities ranging from lectures, film screenings and guest speakers, to participation in political rallies and marches on topics of concern to Americans abroad. 

Recent events include our locally-organized March For Our Lives, Science March, events marking Earth Day, Gay Pride, Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech and a Families Belong Together rally. Members have also participated in annual World War military commemorations as well as Women’s Marches organized by the DA chapters in Paris and - thanks to Strasbourg’s unique geographical position on the German border - nearby Heidelberg, Germany.

Our regular monthly meetings, in a variety of social settings, provide an opportunity for members to come together, meet fellow Dems, talk about the current political scene, as well as propose and discuss future projects. Much of our activity is focused on supporting and promoting voter registration for Americans in the East of France, including students participating in the city's numerous Study Abroad programs.  

The Strasbourg chapter encourages current efforts to develop a sub-chapter ("precinct") in the neighboring Haut-Rhin region of Eastern France, for those members who reside closer to the Swiss border.

All our events are posted on the Democrats Abroad France website and on our Facebook page.

With events planned throughout the year, we encourage anyone interested in participating to get in touch.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Barbara Wells, Chapter Chair 

Democrats Abroad - Strasbourg

[email protected]

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