October 01, 2024

In October


 

In This Issue —

Message from the Chair

Events:

  • Weekly Voter Registration Tables
  • VP Debate Watch Party
  • Prague Castle Fundraiser
  • Election Night Party
  • Thanksgiving Celebration

Inside Democrats Abroad Austria:

  • Ballot Assistance Events 
  • DHL Discount
  • Scan Your Ballot to FAX
  • DoD Fax Service
  • Ballot Return

Issues and Actions:

  • In Your Neighborhood – Voter Registration Tables

Review: 

  • A Night at the Palais – Fundraiser to Support DA Global

 

Our Executive Committee meetings are usually held on the second Thursday of the month. Our next meeting will be on Thursday, October 10, at 7:00 p.m. Members are welcome to join us at the meetings. Please contact Rich at [email protected] for the address and meeting link.

DAA is making a strong effort to include in our monthly newsletter all the information you need to stay up to date. By sending you fewer emails, we hope you will read those you receive. Thanks for reading!

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Message from the Chair

September was an incredible month for Democrats Abroad Austria. We held two successful events - an American Comedy Night and A Night at the Palais. Both would not have happened without the generosity of people giving of their time, resources, and talents to support the important work of Democrats Abroad. A heartfelt thanks to all of you! 

On our last Saturday of tabling in September, a team of volunteers braved chilly weather for 8 hours helping many voters on Mariahilferstrasse and Brunnenmarkt. We registered at least three first-time voters and helped dozens others request their ballots for November. We enrolled 11 new members for Democrats Abroad Austria in just one day! Thank you to our awesome volunteers on the streets of Vienna.    

This is the final month. In October, we’ll continue to help voters, including to fax back ballots where it is permitted (using a Fax app). And, if you have not already, please request your ballot at votefromabroad.org, or email [email protected] if you require assistance. 

Remember: When we vote, we win!

Rich
Chair, Democrats Abroad Austria

 

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Events Coming up in October and November: 

Weekly Voter Registration and Ballot Assistance Tables

When: Saturdays, October 5 – 26

Time: 12 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Where: Mariahilferstrasse 74b, 1070 Vienna

 

Online Voter Assistance Sessions

Various days and times. Click here for more information.                                        

 

VP Debate Watch (Walz and Vance!) and “Fax Back Your Ballot” Party

When: Wednesday, October 2

Time: 6:00 p.m.; Debate screening begins at 7:00 p.m.

Where: Beaver Brewing Company Liechtensteinstrasse 69, 1090 Vienna

RSVP Here

 

An Evening at the Prague Castle

When: October 17

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Where: Lobkowicz Palace, Jiřská 3, 1 119 00 Prague, Czech Republic

Tickets: https://www.democratsabroad.org/evening_at_the_palace24

 

Ballot Assistance Table

When: Wednesday, Oct. 30

Time: 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Where: Cafe Museum, Operngasse 7, 1010 Vienna 

 

Election Night Watch Party

When: Tuesday, November 5 – Wednesday, November 6

Time: 6:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m.

Where: The Long Hall, Florianigasse 2, 1080 Vienna

RSVP 

 

Thanksgiving Dinner Celebration

When: Friday, November 29 (not Thursday!)

Time: 6:00 – 10:00 pm

Where: Zoku  Perspektivstr. 6, 1020 Vienna Austria

Save the Date! Tickets available mid-October

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Inside Democrats Abroad Austria:

Ballot Assistance Events 

DA volunteers are available to help you with your ballot questions. Go to an online Voter Support sessions for 1:1 assistance at the following times: 

  • Sundays 3:00 – 4:00 a.m. EDT (9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Vienna) 
  • Thursdays 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. EDT Office hours for students! (5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Vienna) 
  • Monday September 30: 1:30 –2:30 p.m. EDT (7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Vienna) 
  • Wednesday October 2: 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. EDT (7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Vienna) 

Can’t attend a session and have a question? Email us at [email protected]

Look up your state’s rules here: https://www.votefromabroad.org/states/

 

DHL Discount

DA Austria has arranged with DHL Express for a 20% discount on their rates for documents up to 0.5 kg. to the U.S. There is a DHL Service Point at Operngasse 3, 1010 Vienna. ​​Read more details below.

Scan Your Ballot to FAX

Need help scanning your ballot?

Watch this video on how to scan using your smartphone.

If you don't have a scanning app on your phone, you can use Adobe Scan mobile app for iPhone & Android

 

DoD Fax Service

FVAP's Fax Service enables UOCAVA voters to transmit voted ballots to their election office using FVAP's email-to-fax service when allowed by state law and an email option is not permitted.

  • Toll-Free Fax Number: 1-800-368-8683
  • Email Address: [email protected]
  • Technical Support: 1-800-438-8683

Voter Transmission Cover Sheet-In Bound From Voters

Voters should use this fax transmission cover sheet as a cover sheet when faxing or emailing election materials back to their local election office.

DISCLAIMER: The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) provides the DoD Fax Service to assist voters with transmitting their election materials to you. FVAP does not guarantee the acceptance or processing of materials.  As users of this service, voters are encouraged to contact their election office directly to verify whether a transmission was received.


November is Now! Return Your Ballot Today

Listed below are different options to return your ballot. Ballot return methods – by email, online, postal mail, fax – vary by state. Always return your ballot as quickly as possible, but especially if your state only allows postal mail return. Always read the instructions that came with your ballot carefully! Find your state's ballot return methods here.

📌 Remember! Only use a mail service if you cannot return your ballot electronically 📌

If your state allows email, online upload, or fax for ballot return, please use these options as they’re not subject to loss or delay! Here is more information on fax submission.

If your state requires postal mail return, see info below on options from Austria.

New Jersey Voters: Please note that New Jersey allows for email or fax returns, but requires that the ballot ALSO be sent by postal mail.

New York Voters: Here are instructions on How to fold the New York State General Election ballot.

 

International Postal Service 

If your state requires postal mail ballot return, one option is to use express international mail from the Austrian Postal Service. Please remember mail service can be slow and send your ballot as soon as possible! 

If you use the regular postal rate with the Austrian Postal Service, we recommend returning your ballot no later than 8 October

You should – and some states require you – to ask for a postmark or date stamp (Zeitstempel) to be placed on the outer envelope. Find out your state's requirements here. Always follow the instructions that came with your ballot carefully!

Using a tracking number can slow down delivery – it's better to confirm receipt by looking on your state's website, or looking up your local election officer's contact details here.

Do not send your ballot back with a signature required (that is, Eingeschrieben), as Local Election Officers will not sign for it. 

Do make sure to use Austrian stamps! The return mail postage on the ballot envelope only works inside the US.  

 

The U.S. Embassy/Consulate diplomatic pouch

The U.S. Consulate in Austria requests that ballots sent by the diplomatic post be dropped off no later than four weeks before the ballot due date. You will need to place your ballots in a U.S. postage-paid return envelopes (usually provided with your ballot) or in envelopes bearing sufficient U.S. postage. You can download a free U.S. postage-paid return envelope template at FVAP.gov. The embassy recommends returning your ballot no later than October 2. 

Please be aware that using the diplomatic pouch is very slow. It can take weeks for your ballot to reach its final destination. Use a Back-up Ballot to make the diplomatic pouch deadline if your regular ballot hasn’t arrived. Find out more here.

The U.S. Consulate address in Austria is: 

U.S. Consulate Vienna
Parkring 12a (Marriott hotel building)
1010 Vienna, Austria
Hours: Weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.. (Closed U.S. and Austrian holidays)
Nearest metro stops: Weihburgasse (Tram 2), Stadtpark (U4), Stubentor (U3)

More information is on the website  

 

Courier Service

If your state requires postal mail ballot return, the quickest option is to use a courier service like DHL, Federal Express, etc.

DA Austria has arranged with DHL a discount for ballots to be returned to the U.S. DHL Express offers the following:
20% discount on our rates for documents up to 0.5 kg
Time period: from Sept. 21 to November 30, 2024 — check your state’s deadlines for ballot postmark and receipt dates.

You get the discount in DHL stores and service points. If you order the delivery of the ballot online, please enter the discount code USA20.** The discount will then be deducted automatically. However, you can also request the shipping from the DHL customer service team and the discount will be applied automatically.

Even with expedited courier services though, ballots still take several days to get to the United States. Please send your ballot as soon as possible! Do not wait! You should – and some states require you – ask for a postmark or date stamp (Zeitstempel) to be placed on the outer envelope. Follow the instructions that came with your ballot. 

**We do not recommend booking or paying online with any courier service. You will not receive a postmark if you book or pay online.

Courier services cannot send to a P.O. box! Be sure to confirm a street address with your local election official if a P.O. box is the return address on your ballot. 

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Issues and Actions:

In Your Neighborhood – Voter Registration Tables

Many thanks to our voter registration volunteers who have been tabling on Mariahilferstrasse and at study abroad programs to help U.S. citizens request their ballot for the upcoming election. We couldn't do it without you!

Need help to request or return your ballot? Come by Mariahilferstrasse on a Saturday up until Oct. 26 between noon and 5 p.m. for voter assistance!

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Review:

A Night at the Palais

More than 50 members of Democrats Abroad Austria gathered at the Palais of the Furth-Ferstel family on the evening of September 26. It was a night filled with inspiration, music, and community, all in support of our shared goal: mobilizing voters for a Harris-Walz victory in November.

The international chair of Democrats Abroad, Martha McDevitt-Pugh, addressed the group, emphasizing the importance of the upcoming election. Diana Furth shared her family’s post-WW II history, highlighting the crucial role the US played in their lives and her father’s commitment to preserving the democratic principles on which America was founded.

Charles Adams, former US Ambassador to Finland, spoke about the significance of international civic engagement and the critical role overseas Americans play in shaping the future of the US, particularly in this election year. He urged us to each reach out to at least two people to make sure they vote.  

After the speeches, guests moved to the piano room for a performance by American jazz singer Margaret Carter, accompanied by pianist Nikos Pogonatos. Margaret enthralled with her rich, silky voice and her cool style. Nikos, on piano, perfectly complemented Margaret’s vocals. The evening concluded with guests joining Carter in a rendition of  "America the Beautiful."

Margaret Carter and pianist Larry Lofquist will be performing on Sunday, October 6 at Frau Mayer in 1010 Vienna from 19:30–21:30. Be sure to catch what is sure to be another wonderful performance of jazz music!

 

Thank you for reading the October Newsletter!