Next VMF Caucus Meeting:
August 17, 2026, at 3pm Eastern Time
All are welcome!
Request Your 2026 Ballot Today
It's definitely feeling like summer for those of us stuck in heatwaves. But fall will be here before we know it, and this year’s midterms are not a drill. Congress controls VA funding, DoD policy, the defense budget, and a long list of issues that touch our community and the country.
A blue wave that takes back the House, the Senate, and seats all the way down to the local level is possible, but only if we all vote!
Here's what to do:
- Go to VoteFromAbroad.org and confirm you're registered, then request your ballot by email to avoid any USPS hiccups. Even if you’ve voted from abroad before, check again as states are purging voter rolls.
- While you're there, look at how your state lets you return your ballot. Some states allow email or fax instead of mail, which we highly recommend.
- If your state requires mailing it back, make sure you have a plan. Some countries suspended mail to the U.S. after Trump's rule changes last year, so regular mail may not be an option depending on where you live. VoteFromAbroad.org will help you determine the best way to return your ballot.
Go to VotefromAbroad.org now to request your ballot
and reach out to [email protected] with any questions!
All Set with Your Voting Plan?
Good! Now help us make sure every veteran and military family member in our global community is too. Sign up here to volunteer with VMF to get out the vote and more!
The Democrats Abroad VMF Caucus works every election cycle to reach military-connected Americans abroad, help them register, and get their ballots in on time. But we need all hands on deck.
How you can help:
- Join our leadership team
- Host an event to build community and share info
- Phonebank and call other Dems Abroad members
- Contribute to VMF communications
- Help with research and writing
- Support VMF advocacy and legislative outreach
- Pitch in on operations and admin to keep things shipshape
Whether you have one hour or ten, whether you want to be out in front talking to people, or working behind the scenes, there's a place for you with the VMF Caucus. The more hands we have, the greater our power to stand up for democracy and push back against MAGA.
➡️ Volunteer with VMF ⬅️
A Note from the New VMF Leadership
I'm excited to share some updates on VMF Caucus leadership. I've stepped into the role of Chair, and Stephen Peters has joined as Vice Chair.
I am a military family member, currently living in Marrakech. I previously served as Senior Counsel at VA, Senior Advisor to Joining Forces for Dr. Jill Biden, and as National Engagement Director for Veterans and Military Families on the Harris Walz campaign in 2024. I’ve been advocating for veterans and military families in one role or another since 2013, and currently run a U.S.-based solo law practice serving veterans, families, and small businesses.
Stephen is based in London and is a strategic communications leader, U.S. Marine veteran, and military spouse with more than 15 years of experience advancing the interests of military families, veterans, and the LGBTQ community on the national and global stage, including with Veterans and Military Families for Harris in 2024. He was the founding president of the American Military Partner Association (now the Modern Military Association of America). He also served as Senior National Press Secretary and Spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign, and later as Director of Media Relations for The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.
Together, we have a wealth of experience and are excited to put it to work with Democrats Abroad and this Caucus.
We have big shoes to fill and want to say a HUGE thank you to outgoing Chair, Michael Ramos. Michael doubled the size of the VMF caucus during his time as chair, and built an incredible communications and advocacy infrastructure. We are so grateful for his hard work and dedication, and are happy that he'll continue to be a key voice and contributor to the Caucus going forward.
Our top priority right now is getting out the vote through the November mid-terms. That's where we're putting our full focus in the months ahead. We’d love your help in reaching every military-connected community member to make sure they are heard at the ballot box.
At the same time, we want to hear from you as we look past November to the future of the Caucus. What do you want to see from this community? Let us know your ideas and priorities.
We're also growing our team, including the Caucus steering committee. If you want to help shape our efforts, we'd love to have you involved. Reach out to us at [email protected], whether it's to share your thoughts on Caucus priorities or learn more about joining the steering committee.
Democratically yours,
Libby and Stephen
What’s VMF Been Up to Lately?
Statement from the Caucus: Efforts to Strip VFW of Its Federal Accreditation Are Unwarranted and Harmful to Veterans
Statement from the Chair: 2026 Fourth of July Message
News: Passage of Caucus Resolution
Member Opinion: Mental Health in the Contemporary Overseas American Military
Member Opinion: The Missiles Get Funded. Veterans Get an Offset
Member Poem: “A Stench by Any Other Name”
New Podcast with Corrine Hinton, Ph.D., Veterans Scholar and Researcher, Military Family Member
Want to submit an opinion, poem, or artwork?
Email it to [email protected]
Honoring Those Who Came Before Us
Former VMF Chair Michael Ramos stopped at Rock Island National Cemetery while visiting the States and paid his respects to PO2 Rosemary Robinson by laying a wreath on behalf of the Caucus.
Step Inside the VMF Virtual Museum
No tickets needed for this museum! The VMF Virtual Museum features exhibits exploring both current issues and the rich history of the community that defines our caucus. Each display tells a story, and there's more than meets the eye: click on any exhibit and swipe through to uncover additional pages and deeper content.
Ready to explore? Use the link or scan the QR code to start your visit.
Are You Following Us?
Be sure to connect with the VMF Caucus on all our channels to join the conversation:
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Resources and Support
If you have the capacity, check in on a fellow veteran or military family. A simple “I’m here” or “I’m stressed too” can mean more than you know. If you are struggling, please reach out to the confidential resources below.
- CONUS: Call 988 and Press 1 or go to https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/
- In Europe: +1 844-702-5495 or DSN 988
- In the Pacific: +1 844-702-5493 or DSN 988
- In Southwest Asia: +1 855-422-7719 or DSN 988
- Chat: Text with a crisis line responder. Send a text to 838255 or through https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/chat
Military OneSource provides free, confidential non-medical counseling and resources for active duty, Guard, Reserve, and their immediate family members. Support is available worldwide. You can call from overseas or access live chat and resources at MilitaryOneSource.mil.
Questions/Comments/Suggestions?
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Contact us: [email protected]
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The VMF Caucus has a membership of over 1,500 members located in dozens of countries and proudly consists of veterans, military family members, Department of Defense civilians, other national security professionals, and strong allies of our causes.