Here's what's happening in DA Austria in September —
- Message from the Chair
Upcoming Events:
- Young Americans Board Game Night
- Progressive Pizza
- Solidarity Sundays
- Salzburg Monthly Meet Up
- Wienerwald Wine Walk & Tasting
- EMEA Regional Retreat
- Thanksgiving Celebration – Save the Date!
Inside Democrats Abroad:
- Your Vote Matters
- Trump’s Disruptive Impact
- Global Democrats Abroad and Democratic National Committee (DNC) Summer Meetings
Inside DA Austria:
- Get Trained in Graz!
- Caucus News
Issues and Actions:
- Democrats Abroad Leaders Reject Dark Money’s Influence on Democratic Primaries
- DA Condemns Trump Attack on Mail In Voting
Review:
- July 4th Celebration
- Summer Volunteer Cocktail
Of Interest:
- IWM Festival
Our next Executive Committee meeting will be on Thursday, September 4, at 7:00 p.m. Members are welcome to join us at the meetings. Please contact Lisa Savitt at [email protected] for the address and/or meeting link.
DAA is committed to keeping you up to date while respecting your inbox. Our monthly newsletter brings together all the important information you need in one place, so you can stay informed without the extra emails. We appreciate you reading and staying connected!
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Message from the Chair:
Every election is a chance to make a difference! Important elections at the local and state levels have allowed Trump’s base to obstruct the rule of law and undermine legitimate actions. Now is the time to send a message in the upcoming state and local elections taking place this November, including the critical states of Virginia and New Jersey. Also we expect to have a special election in California on redistricting. If your last US place of residence is in one of the states, please make sure you are registered to vote and request your ballot. Keep informed regarding important issues that you can vote on from abroad. See www.votefromabroad.org for more information.
Make a difference! Cast (and send in) your ballot as early as possible! Ask for confirmation!
— Lisa Savitt, DA Austria Chair
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Upcoming Events:
Young Americans Board Game Night
When: Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Time: 6:00–9:00 p.m.
Where: Spielbar, Lederergasse 26, 1080 Vienna
RSVP or Meetup Link
Progressive Pizza
When: Thursday, September 18, 2025
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: L’Osteria. Florianigasse 55, 1080 Vienna
See article under Inside Democrats Abroad
Solidarity Sundays in Vienna — Zohran Mamdani
When: Sunday, September 21, 2025
Time: 4:00–6:00 p.m.
Location: Amerlinghaus Raum 4, Stiftgasse 8, 1070 Vienna
See Event Highlights for more information
Salzburg Meet-up
When: Friday, September 26, 2025
Time: 5:30–8:00 p.m.
Where: Krimplestätter Restaurant, Müllner Hauptstrasse 31, Salzburg 5020
Fun-raiser! Wienerwald Wine Walk & Tasting
When: Saturday, October 4, 2025
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Location: Information on where we’ll start the hike will be shared with your RSVP.
Buschenschank in Residence
See Event Highlights for more information
EMEA Regional Retreat
When: Oct 10–12
Time: all day
Where: Brussels, Belgium, and online
See Event Highlights for more information
Save the Date! Thanksgiving Celebration
When: Thursday, November 27, 2025
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Zoku Vienna. Perspectivstrasse 6, 1020 Vienna
RSVP's will open on Oct.1
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Event Highlights:
Fundraiser! Wienerwald Wine Walk & Tasting
Our popular wine walk is back! Spaces are limited.
This year’s wine walk is a fundraiser to provide DA Austria with much needed funds to continue to reach the more than 12,000 US citizens in Austria eligible to vote. This is a big task and we’re ready to implement plans through 2026 to make an impactful difference. Make your ticket donation today!
On Saturday October 4 we’ll take a hike through Grinzing and stop at Jutta Ambrositsch’s outstanding Buschenschank in Residence to taste a few of her wonderful wines.
We are thrilled to welcome special guest, Ariana Pullano, Artistic and Musical Director of Showtime, Vienna’s English Theatre’s School for Performing Arts, who will provide insight into the Wiener Lieder and share the musical and and cultural heritage of the Vienna Woods.
Jutta Ambrositsch is one of Austria’s finest winemakers, creating unique and very tasty wine, including many made with very old and traditional grape varieties but tasting fresh and exciting. Her wine is featured in many American fine wine shops and restaurants.
We will taste five typical wines and learn a little about where the grapes come from, how they were vinified, and tasting notes, along with a little history about the wine variety. We’ll also have bread and a couple of traditional Austrian spreads (homemade) to help the wine along. This tasting is included in your ticket donation. Afterwards you’ll be free (and encouraged!) to order on your own more wine and some of the wonderful homemade food offered by Jutta. It is truly a gourmet Heurigen.
We are excited to pair the best of the Viennese Woods—wine and song— for this unique experience!
Raise a glass to raise needed funds and don't miss the fun on October 4!
Solidarity Sundays Vienna
Solidarity Sundays workshops Zohran Mamdani’s approach to connecting with working-class voters — and the underlying political analysis that makes his approach so effective. Come for the Mamdani gossip, stay for the democracy repair.
From 4-6 pm at Amerlinghaus, Stiftgasse 8, 1070, Vienna. RSVP here to secure your spot.
— Tanya Lolonis and Jacqueline Berman, SolSun Co-coordinators
EMEA Regional Retreat
Leaders and volunteers from across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) will meet in Brussels over the October 10–12 weekend to hone leadership skills, share best practices, and prepare for the challenges we need to meet and overcome leading up to the 2026 midterms. Sessions will also be held online. All are encouraged to attend Breakthrough `26.
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Inside Democrats Abroad:
Trump’s Disruptive Impact
DA chat channels have been exploding the past weeks as Trump’s directives further negatively impact US citizens living overseas. Here are a few that have been lighting up phones:
- Last week, news spread of the disruption in postal services as post offices in the EU and across the globe stopped delivering packages (and in some countries even letters) to the US because of new customs costs that went into effect on Aug 29. DA’s get-out-the-vote activists realized the disastrous impact this could have on voters being able to return ballots by mail this fall and sounded the alarm.
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Shortly after meeting with Putin in August, Trump attacked mail-in voting and announced his intention to ban mail-in ballots — a blatantly unconstitutional impulse. If enacted, it would silence the votes of the millions of Americans living abroad as well as voters in rural communities, workers, the homebound, and disabled.
- Finally, US citizens are often seen as unofficial “ambassadors,” using our soft power to clarify our language, culture, and political system in our host country. The administration’s constant assault on our national treasures and institutions, while our democratic values and reputational standing are being demolished and plundered has upended that conversation and sent many overseas Americans into hiding.
It is too much. It is necessary to take a stand. We can all do that.
How?
DA Austria is reaching out to voters where they are:
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Volunteers spent hours calling members who vote in Virginia, Arizona, Texas, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania with critical elections in September and November to remind them to request their ballot and vote.
- DA Austria spent $300 to send a voter-reminder mailer to our members who cannot be called.
- DA Austria invested another $300 to re-stock materials for DA Austria’s Autumn Outreach near universities and study abroad programs to register students and first-time voters.
This all costs time and money. Your donation for as little as $5 can help us continue these outreach efforts and have a direct positive impact to reach more voters and change election outcomes.
Help us stop the disruption. Donate today.
—Jen Rakow-Stepper, DA-AT Treasurer, Austria Voting Representative
Your Vote Matters
Do you vote in New Jersey, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Arizona, or Texas? DA volunteers have been reaching out to you by phone, text, and the post to remind you to register and request your ballot immediately for important elections in your state or congressional district. Regardless of your state, be sure to vote the entire ballot — down ballot races are critically important!
Go to VoteFromAbroad.org to register/request your ballot for the 2025 election year.
Did you hear from us? Let us know!
Your Actions Make A Difference
🗳️ VOTE
There are elections coming up in September and November for both congressional and down ballot races. An overwhelming turnout will send a loud message to our representatives on the federal, state, and local level to take a stand.
Remind your friends, family, and colleagues to request their ballot and vote. Now is not the time to leave your voice to someone else. If outside the US, you and they should go to VoteFromAbroad.org to make sure it will be received and counted. Remember, under federal law ballots requested with the FPCA form (on vfa.org) must be counted!
🙋 VOLUNTEER
With the November elections approaching, we’re looking for more volunteers to join our fall phone banking campaigns. You can participate from home and contribute whatever time fits your schedule. Check out our volunteer training page here. New trainings are added frequently.
We’re also training and organizing volunteers in a variety of other areas. Whether you have experience—or an interest—in social media, communications, event planning, volunteer coordination, or midterm election organizing, we’d love your help!
💰 GIVE
DA Austria is 100% volunteer-run and donor funded.
Your donation – the price of a cup of coffee – will enable us to start 2026 with the funding to reach every US voter in Austria! Donate once or become a sustaining donor.
Global Democrats Abroad and Democratic National Committee (DNC) Summer Meetings
Democrats Abroad’s 256 elected representatives met at an online Annual General Meeting the weekend of June 6 to 8 and again on August 17 to discuss and vote on the organization's business, including amendments to the DA Charter, resolutions, reports, elections of the 2025–2027 International Executive Committee, and the location of the 2026 Annual General Meeting.
DA Austria's four representatives to the DA global voting body (Democratic Party Committee Abroad or DPCA) are the Chair and Vice Chair – Lisa Savitt and Brett Carnito – and two elected DPCA representatives – Bruce Murray and Jen Rakow-Stepper. DA Austria was well represented during the meeting as Bruce co-sponsored some resolutions and Jen made a number of Charter amendments that were approved by the body.
The Progressive Dems will be discussing the meetings during their Progressive Pizza on September 18. Anyone interested in learning more about the DA annual meeting and the summer meeting of the DNC should definitely attend.
From Bruce Murray for Progressive Pizza–
We have a lot on our plate for our Fall 2025 gathering:
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What did the August online DPCA Global Meeting accomplish?
On August 17, the DPCA Voting Representatives convened a supplemental global meeting to complete unfinished business from their Annual General Meeting. In addition to selecting the location for the 2026 Annual General Meeting, they were to consider seven issue-oriented resolutions. -
What did the DNC Summer Meeting in Minneapolis accomplish?
From August 25 to 27, DNC members, including our DA Austria delegation, met to discuss important Rules and Bylaws issues as well as resolutions on topics ranging from the use of funds from undisclosed sources in Democratic primaries to the war in Gaza.
We will summarize and discuss the results of both meetings. In the process, we will consider what remains to be done in 2025, as well as in preparation for the 2026 midterms.
Please rsvp, then join us for some healthy food and discussion!
— Jen Rakow-Stepper and Bruce Murray, Austria DPCA Voting Representatives
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Inside DA Austria:
Get Trained in Graz!
Democrats Abroad in Graz are gearing up to mobilize—join them this fall for an in-person phonebanking training! All you need is a laptop, and they’ll guide you through how just a few minutes each week can make a big impact in getting voters registered. Don’t miss this chance to connect, learn, and take action together!
Date and location TBD - please contact [email protected] to register your interest.
Stay tuned for phonebanking training opportunities and activities in Vienna.
Caucus News
NEW CAUCUS in Austria! – George Bottorff, a Vienna DA member, has started an Austrian chapter of the Veterans and Military Families (VMF) Caucus. If you are a veteran, an active-duty service member, a family member of a veteran, or a DoD civilian, you may be especially interested in joining the new DAAT chapter of the VMF Caucus. Any DA Austria member is eligible to join.
Watch this space for updates about the local group! We would like to have a caucus meeting in October, date, time, and place to be determined. Please contact George at [email protected] if you would like to get involved.
—George Bottorff, Veterans and Military Families Caucus, DA-AT Coordinator
Democrats Abroad Global has a number of caucuses that represent and advocate for a diverse range of constituencies. DA Austria currently has active Youth and Progressive Caucuses that meet on a regular basis. In the past few years, the Women’s, Black, and LGBTQ+ Caucuses were also active.
We are always looking to build and strengthen these groups and add new caucuses into the fold. Please contact Lisa at [email protected] if you would like to get involved in a caucus.
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Issues and Actions:
Democrats Abroad Leaders Reject Dark Money’s Influence on Democratic Primaries
Democrats Abroad has taken a firm stand against the influence of undisclosed money in Democratic Party primaries. On August 19, the global organization’s Executive Committee unanimously voted to adopt a resolution titled Condemning the Use of Funds from Undisclosed Sources During Democratic Party Primaries.
DA Condemns Trump Attack on Mail In Voting
Democrats Abroad forcefully condemns Donald Trump’s announcement that he will sign an executive order banning all mail-in voting nationwide. This is an unconstitutional power grab that the President has no authority to make.
It's also an existential threat to overseas voters. For millions of Americans abroad, including civilians, service members, and military families, mail-in ballots are often the only way our votes can be counted. Eliminating mail-in voting would silence us almost entirely. Join the Action!
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Review:
July 4 Celebration
Democrats Abroad came together with their families on July 6 to observe Independence Day at Die Schankenwirtschaft im Augarten. Everyone enjoyed an afternoon filled with food, drinks, games, and lively conversation. Attendees brought a myriad of wonderful desserts to share. Many thanks to everyone who contributed to making the celebration a success!
Summer Volunteer Cocktail
It was a beautiful summer evening to enjoy a cocktail—and a great opportunity for members interested in getting more involved to meet and chat with a few DA Austria executive committee officers.
There were many new faces and also some folks who’ve been helping out since the 2000’s. Lots of ideas were shared, connections made, and foundations laid for fall plans. Thanks to everyone who came out!
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Of Interest:
On EDGE / UNBEHAGEN
Vienna Humanities Festival 2025: Keynotes and Program Preview Announced
From September 24–28, the 8th Vienna Humanities Festival will once again bring some of the most interesting thinkers of our time to Vienna.
The political, economic, and social changes have been so swift that there is a temptation to surrender to a complexity that is hard to untangle. Yet this emotional labyrinth also challenges us to find a way out, by facing uncomfortable realities, unpicking intricacies, and standing up for a better tomorrow.
With Didier Eribon, Federica Gregoratto, Lyndal Roper, Natasha Wheatley. Hanna Zeavin & Victor Blüml and many more…