Calling all US Citizens!  Your Vote Matters!

This is a midterm election year — all 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 of the 100 Senate seats, and 39 gubernatorial seats are up for grabs in November. As a U.S. citizen you have the right to vote in primary and general elections, no matter where in the world you live!

In 2021, DA Italy hosted a first series of free talks, entitled Money Monday and Tax Tuesday. The topics are still fully relevant! You will find the links to each discussion here.

We will be announcing a new series of talks for 2022.

Questions? Contact: Nancy Fina, DA Italy Chair: [email protected]

May 3, 2021 Tax Talk 1	May 4, 2021  Tax Talk 2

May 10, 2021 Tax Talk 3	May 11, 2021 Tax Talk 4

May 24, 2021 Tax Talk 5	May 25, 2021 Tax Talk 6

Dear friend, 

Welcome to The Democracy Dispatch, a new monthly newsletter from Democrats Abroad Italy! Our goal is to keep you informed and energized, making it simple and satisfying to participate in American democracy. 

Here you will find not just the latest political news and events, but also useful information about voting from abroad and getting involved in the issues you care about. Our Community Spotlights will shine a light on Americans doing interesting and original things in Italy. And since we’re lucky enough to live in one of the world’s culinary capitals, our monthly “Recipe for Democracy” series will feature cherished recipes from throughout the bel paese.   

This month, we look at the importance of the 2022 midterm elections for holding accountable the architects of the January 6 attack on the Capitol; meet an American who has done the seemingly impossible — made Italians fall in love with American food; and learn the secret to making authentic traditional pesto using modern appliances.   

If you have story ideas, questions or just want to drop us a message to say hi, our virtual doors are always open. We’re also looking for contributors to help write future editions of the newsletter. Email [email protected] to get involved — and we hope you enjoy your first Democracy Dispatch!  

All the best,
Janna
Editor 
The Democracy Dispatch

Table of Contents:

• Why the 2022 midterms matter: five political stories highlight five reasons every vote will count 
• Texas voters! Request your ballot TODAY 
• Fantastic events in February 
• Spotlight on Laurel Evans 
• Recipe for Democracy: Traditional pesto sauce 
• Save the Date: DAI Annual General Meeting 2022 

Join us twice a week online (via Zoom)
Mondays at 10am and Thursdays at 1pm CET (Italy time)
For info and to sign up: [email protected]

Let’s all get together for a low-impact exercise class with our fantastic trainer Gaia! The classes will be in easy Italian, and there will be someone available to help in English.
We'll have fun, learn a few thing about voting, and get ready for spring.

It's a great way to shake off the Covid blues!!

Starting Feb 14 and running through April 14!
💙A great Valentine’s Day gift to yourself or a friend💙

Twice a week: Mondays at 10 am, Thursdays at 1 pm

The classes are free, but there is a suggested donation of €50 for 2 months of classes. The money we raise will help fund our GOTV efforts for the 2022 Midterms.
Click here to donate to DA Italy

Election Day 2022 is November 8, but before we get there, there are primary elections as well! Check the chart below for your state's primary date as well as the registration deadline. Make sure you visit VoteFromAbroad.org as soon as possible to register to vote and/or request your ballots.

(Requesting your ballot now, before the primary deadline, will also ensure that you are sent ballots for the general election as well as any runoff or special elections this year.)

* State has a Primary Runoff. See the next chart for this information.

The 2022 midterm elections aren't until November but the primaries start in March with Texas. We highlighted some key races to watch that could turn State Capitols blue or change the balance in Congress.

Here are our races to watch. Which races are you watching in your state?

Texas: March 1st will be a rematch between incumbent House Democrat Henry Cuellar and progressive Jessica Cisneros who gave the incumbent a run for the money and held him to 51.8% in 2020. Will redistricting make this district ripe for Republican picking?

North Carolina: The state Supreme Court postponed the primaries from March to May because of two pending lawsuits that challenged legislative district maps. The U.S. Senate race has candidates on both sides vying for November since incumbent Richard Burr will not seek reelection. Will North Carolina turn blue?

Maryland: Republican Governor Larry Hogan is term-limited and the June 28th primary will be crowded including former DNC Chair, Tom Perez and state Comptroller, Peter Franchot. Will Democrats be able to keep this deep blue state blue?

New York: Andrew Cuomo is out of the picture but his replacement, Kathy Hochul, faces primary challenges from Representative Tom Suozzi and former NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio. Will New Yorkers disenchanted with the Biden administration turn the Empire State red?

Florida: Governor Ron DeSantis will face Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, one of only a few Democrats in the Republican run state, or former Governor and current House Democrat Charlie Crist. Can Republican Marco Rubio win a third term against House Democrat Val Demings?

Georgia: Stacy Abrams is back in the Governor race. Georgians are hoping for a Rocky-style knockout against Governor Kemp in November. Can Senator Raphael Warnock stave off a challenge from former NFL player Hershel Walker?

(Many thanks to DA Switzerland for sharing this page with us!)

We hope you'll join us online
February 1 at 7pm (Italy time)

Texas voter and Food Expert Laurel Evans will explain how to file a ballot request (FPCA), and then will talk about her move to Italy, and might even share a recipe or two!

See you there! You can RSVP <-- click here!

Are you an American living in Italy? Click below to:

We will be announcing a new series of Tax Talks beginning in June for 2022
Click here to consult our 2021 Tax Talk Seminars!

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DAItaly

Dante: 700 Years of Literary Influence 
October 12, 2021 
7- 8pm (Florence time)

We hope you'll join us for Fundraising Extravaganza Event 5, a lecture by Jason Houston on the influence of Dante 700 years after his death. The event is "hybrid": online via Zoom, or in-person in Florence (near piazza Santa Croce).

You can make a donation here: https://www.democratsabroad.org/gaf_daitaly/help_us_help_you
Season ticket holders are welcome to attend each event either online or in-person.  If you have not yet made a donation for a season ticket, we have a special offer: €30  for the next four events instead of €75

Donations for individual events are still €25 for each in-person event (this includes a drink & snacks) or €15 for each online event.

Congratulations to Jen Rakow-Stepper and all the teams, techs, mods, and participants on a good job well done!

We got so much done this weekend at the EMEA Regional Meeting. Brav* tutt*!