Global Presidential Primary and COVID-19 virus measures
We are closely monitoring current public health measures in Italy, especially any impact they may have on our Voting and Ballot assistance centers in Italy during the week of March 3 to March 10. For now, however, nothing has been changed.
Remember that you can vote remotely from home!
Vote in the 2020 Global Presidential Primary with Democrats Abroad in Italy!
Democrats Abroad hold our own primary election and we send delegates to the Democratic Convention. Voting via the Democrats Abroad Global Presidential Primary is more powerful than voting through your state because the ratio of delegates to voters is less. For example, approximately 25,000 voted in the Global Primary in 2008 compared to more than 150,000 who voted in Vermont (a similar number of delegates as DA). So we want to make it easy for you to vote through the DA!
You can download your Primary ballot here from our website. Simply vote for your candidate, sign & photograph (or scan it) and send it to the address provided (or you can return it by snail mail). DEADLINE: DA must receive your ballot before 12:00AM Pacific Standard Time on March 11, 2020.
OR join like minded fellow democrats March 3rd to March 10th and either and cast your ballot at our Voting Centers or participate in our Ballot Assistance Events. Join us in Florence, Milan, Padova, Verona or Rome (you can only cast a ballot in the chapter where you reside).
Voter requirements: you must be a US citizen abroad and 18 years of age by Nov 3, 2020. You must also be a member of Democrats Abroad* to vote via DA and you can only vote once!
Spread the word, get your American friends to join so they can vote through Democrats Abroad. WE ARE COUNTING ON YOU!
Remember for the Presidential elections in November, you must request an absentee ballot from your state in 2020: www.votefromabroad.org
* Same-day registration allowed at Voting Center
NEW Democrats Abroad & Vote From Abroad Hoodies PRE-SALE
To keep you warm during the colder months with Democratic flare, we are reissuing a NEW collection of hooded sweatshirts to wear and gift ahead of the holiday season! Hip, hip... hooray!
These are unisex hooded sweatshirts made in Europe.
For the CLASSIC Democrats Abroad front-pocket hoodie, there are FIVE (yes, five!) colors to choose from : Black, Navy, Heather Grey, Turquoise & Fire Red.
For the ZIP-UP Democrats Abroad hoodie, there are THREE colors to choose from: Black, Navy & Heather Grey.
Last but not least, there is our Vote From Abroad Collection! Available as a CLASSIC hoodie or a ZIP-UP hoodie, both available in Navy.
Feeling hot? We're also reissuing a successful series of Democrats Abroad T-Shirts in a rainbow of SIX (yes, six!) brilliant colors. If you're not hot already, these colors could make someone blush. Available in Red, Green, Fuschia, Purple, Orange & Indigo.
T-shirts come in the following sizes: Small, Medium, Large, X-Large & XXLarge.
Get them while they're hot! Pre-orders are being taken until November 17th. After November 17th, the merchandise will no longer be available at these pre-order prices! Your purchase will be a donation to one of the most important issues of our time, preserving our democracy. Please consider wearing your support!
T-shirts: €18
CLASSIC hoodies: €45
ZIP-UP hoodies: €50
Most importantly, thank you all for your continued support! Funds earned from the sales of our merchandise will help us set up more services for you such as primary polling stations and voter registration events.
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CLASSIC & ZIP-UP Hoodie measurements (80% cotton / 20% polyester) |
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S |
M |
L |
XL |
XXL |
XXXL |
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Chest / diameter |
53 cm |
56 cm |
59 cm |
62 cm |
65 cm |
68 cm |
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Length / shoulder to waist |
71 cm |
73 cm |
75 cm |
77 cm |
79 cm |
81 cm |
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Length / arm |
68 cm |
69 cm |
70 cm |
71 cm |
72 cm |
73 cm |
DA Tax Team back in DC next week - Time to Call Congress!
The DA Tax Team is back in Washington DC next week for meetings on Capitol Hill - our fifth and probably final Congressional Door Knock of 2019. We appreciate the members of the Taxation Task Force and thank them for the hard work to support tax reform for Americans abroad. A Special thanks to the chair of the Taskforce, Carmelan Polce, for her remarkable support in driving this important issue forward!
We also want to thank all Democrats Abroad leaders who have supported the work of the Tax Task Force this year. Their help in pushing out Tax Team reports, updates and campaign guides is greatly valued and essential to our success in engaging Congress to enact the reforms so urgently needed by Americans abroad.
Democrats Abroad asks all members once again to support a DA grassroots Congressional outreach campaign happening in tandem with next week's meetings. PLEASE SHARE WITH ALL AMERICANS ABROAD THIS GUIDE FOR CALLING AND WRITING TO CONGRESS ABOUT TAX REFORM FOR AMERICANS ABROAD.
Questions or comments to taxationtf@democratsabroad.org.
June is Pride Month!
June is Pride month and we can celebrate Italian-style with Pride events happening up and down the country!
We'd like to especially highlight the 1st USA Pride float at Rome Pride this year being organized by Rachel Mascetta. This is going to be a smashing event! Put on your Pride pants and get there, because you are invited!
Check your local Pride event at our calendar here and share your participation with us! Send photos, tag us, or use the hashtag #DAItalyPride so we can find you!
Residency-Based Taxation is gaining traction!
The DA Tax Team, in collaboration with Democrat Rep. Don Beyer of Virginia and Republican Rep. George Holding of North Carolina, is making headway reforming dual-taxation on American citizens living abroad!
What can you do to progress RBT?
The best thing you can do to progress RBT is to reach out to your elected representatives to remind them of the importance of this reform to you and your family and to ask for their support. Personal stories are the most effective. Include as much detail as you feel comfortable sharing. Call, write or send electronic messages to your House members and Senators. All outreach to those counting on your electoral support is helpful. If you get an interesting response that you think would be useful for us to know about in progressing our work, please send it through to us. We will follow up with your member.
Click here for a sample script from our DA Tax Team.
Click here to find your Representative's contact information.
Click here to find your Senator's contact information.
Stay abreast of all the latest news and updates on Residency-Based Taxation via the DA Tax Team's blog here.
Sea Changes
Maxwell Kennedy, son of Senator Robert Kennedy, attempted to sail from San Francisco through the Panama Canal to Washington D.C. on this schooner, The Valkyrien. The ship was intended to be the cornerstone of a memorial to The Pearl, a schooner charted in a failed attempt to free slaves in 1848 that helped ignite the abolitionist movement.
During a recent visit to Italy's breathtaking Sardinia, Kennedy spoke about his ill-fated voyage where he saw floating plastic, dying coral reefs, and depleted fish and sea creature populations. He witnessed slavery aboard unregulated fishing vessels in international waters, a problem that directly contrasts with his cause, honoring an anti-slavery vessel.
Kennedy also took a moment to praise Democrats Abroad.
“They are very well organized, and that is what we need — organization. The NRA is well organized and they get results. We should do the same. It’s all a matter of political will.”
Please read the full story, written by Claudia Flisi, here: http://www.facebook.com/notes/democrats-abroad-italy/a-kennedy-redefines-sea-changes/2771281602941947/
Join us at our Annual General Meeting!
2019 DA Italy Annual General Meeting:
Saturday, March 30 Afternoon session for the general public: 14:30-17:30
To help us plan for the right number of attendees, please RSVP here
Suggested contribution to organizing costs: €10
The period for nominations to run for the Executive Committee is now closed.* Thank you to those who accepted or submitted their nominations.
Next step is to vote!
The following people have been nominated for:
Chair: Nancy Fina (Milan). Read about Nancy here.
Vice Chair: Bob Vallier (Florence). Read about Bob here.
Secretary: Emily Salm (Lazio). Read about Emily here.
Counsel: Michael Stiefel (Rome). Read about Michael here.
Treasurer: Lynn Chasson (Milan). Read about Lynn here.
Let us know if you have the slightest question!
DA Rome - Post-Elections Potluck
You're invited to the Rome & Southern Italy Chapter Post-Elections Potluck!
Friday, November 9, 7:30-10:00 pm
Associazione Rigatteria, via di Monte Testaccio 53/54, Rome
Let's get together after Election Day to celebrate (or commiserate) and reflect on what happens next.
Attendees are encouraged to bring food to share for the potluck buffet. Please keep in mind that there will be no equipment for reheating dishes.
We hope to see you there!
Ballot Drop-off and Provisional Ballot Assistance Supported by the U.S. Embassy to Italy
Tuesday, October 9, 6:00pm to 9:00pm
St. Stephen's Cultural Center, Via Aventina 1, Rome (near the Circo Massimo metro stop)
At this bipartisan voting assistance event you will be able to:
• Drop off your completed absentee ballot with the U.S. Embassy;
• Learn how to fill out and send a provisional ballot, called the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot, if you haven't requested or received your official ballot in time;
• Share your questions and concerns about the voting process with trained Voting Assistance Officers;
• Learn about Democrats Abroad and Republicans Overseas and how you can get involved;
• Enjoy drinks, snacks and conversation with fellow Americans living in Italy.
The event is jointly hosted by Republicans Overseas, Democrats Abroad and St. Stephen's School, with the support of the U.S. Embassy to Italy.
Do not miss this unique opportunity to vote simply and easily from abroad!