It's June! Pride, Juneteenth, and Youth Month in SA are all reasons to honour those who have fought for freedom and justice and to keep pushing forward.
This past weekend I was in Nairobi with many of our Democrats Abroad counterparts from around the world and about 200 others joined us online. It was great fun meeting many of the people I've worked with virtually over the past several years.
We also had DNC leaders with us in Kenya, including Vice Chair/President of the Association of State Democratic Committees (ASDC)/Nebraska Chair Jane Kleeb, Vice Chair Malcolm Kenyatta, Executive Director of the Nebraska Democratic Party Precious McKesson and ASDC Regional Director for U.S. Territories & Democrats Abroad Nola Hix. I'm hoping Global will share some clips from their presentations - they are inspiring leaders with practical experience on the ground. The DNC is working to strengthen the state parties, including Democrats Abroad, and to expand grassroots outreach. I also spoke on a panel of Democrats Abroad leaders sharing practical perspectives and experience on voter outreach.
Shout out to Brendan Csaposs and the DA Kenya team for being amazing hosts! Africa Proud!
I left feeling energised and encourage each of you to help us find and mobilise voters in South Africa this year (Now) - let's do this both to honour those who have come before us and to ensure greater freedoms for the next generation.
Celebrate, Advocate, VOTE! - Liz O'Leary, DASA Chair
If you missed our May Newsletter, find it HERE
If you missed our How To Vote From South Africa 2026 email, find the info HERE
HELP US HELP YOU!
Update your Democrats Abroad contact details &
Volunteer to contact members
Membership Update – Dedicated DASA volunteers have been quietly conducting outreach over recent months to strengthen the accuracy of our membership database. If you received a phone call or text message from them, please respond confirming your information or updating as necessary. For those who have responded – THANK YOU.
We are rapidly approaching the end of the window to finalize the clean-up and still have a few short lists that require attention. If you have time to make a few calls or send some text messages (already drafted, very little work required), please reach out to Tiffany Jackson-Zunker at [email protected]
A tight membership list helps us best assess and plan effective outreach activities, saving time and energy. Most importantly, it will help us reach the voters in South Africa with timely and critical information about how to register and participate in the upcoming mid-terms.
One of the most valuable things Democrats Abroad does is to send out critical state-specific info - more important than ever! Make sure we have your updated info.
SELF-UPDATE - If you haven't been contacted by a volunteer yet, you can help us by filling in this Google Form so we can update the database. You can also log in to www.democratsabroad.org and update your details in your profile there (let us know if you do so we can save volunteer time).
And special thanks to the DASA volunteers making the calls and sending out messages!
ELECTORAL WINS! EVERY OFFICE POSSIBLE TO PROTECT OUR COUNTRY
Every vote matters in this year's Special Elections, Primaries & Midterms!
Some of these elections come down to very tight margins and...every vote is a message that we oppose this regime!
VOTER ALERTS
FLORIDA VOTERS: ACT NOW
Check your voter status on your county website to ensure your ballot request is valid! Democrats Abroad Global sent emails out to all Florida voters on June 2nd - please see that email for further info.
FL can cancel ballot requests up to 90 days before an election if a voter doesn't respond to mailed verification request. Please check to ensure yours hasn't been cancelled! Know other FL voters abroad? Share the info with them!
A Dems Abroad volunteer made this spreadsheet of all Florida Election Offices (**Yay for volunteers!)
GEORGIA VOTERS - Congressional District 13
New Special Election 28 July
See info at www.votefromabroad.org/states/Georgia
VOTE TO WIN IN 2026!
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NEED HELP or have questions?
Go to www.VoteFromAbroad.org and Find Help Here, use the message icon, or email [email protected]
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ZOOM-based individual help
Voters wanting individual voter support online via Zoom can go to https://www.votefromabroad.org/voter-support for details.
Upcoming May Voter Assistance sessions via Zoom:- Sun 17 May
- Sun 7 June
- Sun 21 June
RESISTANCE & ACTIONS
TAKE ACTION: NEW YORK VOTERS
New York lawmakers are advancing legislation that would make it significantly easier for residents living overseas and military voters to participate in elections, addressing long-standing barriers tied to outdated absentee voting processes.
Contact your NY State Senator on this Bill
Contact your NY State Assembly Member on this Bill
TAKE ACTION - "...Rep. Dina Titus (NV-01), Chair of the Americans Abroad Caucus, reintroduced the Commission on Americans Living Abroad Act (HR 8561). Bipartisan legislation to establish a formal commission to study the challenges facing the millions of U.S. citizens living overseas and deliver recommendations to Congress. This bill is not symbolic. It creates a pathway for Congress to fully understand how U.S. laws and policies affect Americans abroad and to begin fixing what is not working."
Contact your Representative and ask them to co-sponsor the Commission
MEMBER TO MEMBER
Securing Social Security Benefit Payments from Suspension
Several DASA members have experienced problems with Social Security in recent years. One aspect of this is that they still send and expect us to return documents via international mail! As we don’t generally use the postal service in South Africa, important documents either don’t arrive or aren’t received after they're sent in.
We are increasingly going to need to rely on each other to find solutions to problems with Social Security and other issues. Susan M. Cashin is keeping an eye on Social Security issues for us and has shared the following. Please note this is not an official guidance, but members helping members to come up with solutions or workarounds.
Have a solution related to a common Social Security question/problem? Let Susan know [email protected]
Please note that Democrats Abroad does not provide legal advice or direct assistance. This information is only an outline of the process and authorities you must follow and contact, along with suggestions from members.
READ SUSAN'S ARTICLE ON ENSURING CONTINUOUS SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS HERE
FROM THE DNC
"The American media landscape has shifted beneath our feet. Today, 58% of Americans prefer to get their news from digital devices — surpassing TV, radio, and print combined. Perhaps even more critical for our future: one-in-five Americans, and nearly 40% of adults under 30 (my generation), now rely on social media creators for their political news.
The DNC is partnering with these exact creators who are speaking to millions of Americans every day. Through our Influencer and Creative Partnerships program, we have built a robust creator network designed to counter a massive and well-funded right-wing media machine. We are focused on relationship-driven advocacy that will pay dividends for this election cycle, in 2028, and far into the future."
READ this update from Matt Rein, the DNC’s Influencer and Creative Partnerships Director.
SUBSCRIBE to the DNC's Blue Print for updates from their Grassroots Team
EVENTS
Abroad & Informed is Democrat Abroad's bi-weekly live show for Americans around the world who want clarity, connection, and a global perspective on the issues shaping our lives. Each week, we bring you news, conversations, and voting guidance designed to keep you grounded in what matters — no matter where you call home. Stay informed. Get engaged. Make your voice count from anywhere.
Join the conversation by following our Live on:
(Hover over the platform name for direct links)
Introducing Freedom Weeks - Celebrating 250 years of continuing the American promise
Through July 5, we’re marking the United States’ 250th birthday with Freedom Weeks—a celebration of the leaders, organizers, and public servants who are standing up for democratic values and pushing back against the Trump administration’s attacks on rights, institutions, and truth. These weeks highlight the people fighting to protect our freedoms, expand justice, and keep the American promise alive for the next generation. As we honor 250 years of striving toward a more perfect union, we recommit ourselves to the work of safeguarding democracy wherever we live.
More events to be announced.
Sunday 14 June - 3pm SA Time
Global Black Caucus Film Screening Juneteenth: Faith and Freedom
Join the GBC for a 60 min documentary that explores the legacy of slavery, the resilience of Black communities, and the complicated role of Christianity in both oppression and liberation.
More Info & RSVP HERE
Wednesday 17 June - 6pm SA Time
Leading with Pride: Senator Tammy Baldwin in Conversation
As part of Freedom Weeks, Democrats Abroad is honored to welcome Senator Tammy Baldwin for a Pride Month conversation on equality, representation, and the ongoing fight to protect American freedoms at home and abroad.
More Info & RSVP HERE
Sunday 14 June - 11:00 (Cape Town)
Civil Liberties, Coffee & Community
Potluck Brunch and Informal Talk with member Stef Coyle on her work with the ACLU.
This Brunch Talk is at a DASA member's home in Constantia. Please RSVP by Friday the 12th to receive the address and further details.
Friday 19 June 20:00 (Joburg)
World Cup Meetup - USA vs Australia
Let’s cheer on Team USA at their World Cup first round match against Australia’s Socceroos on Friday June 19th! That and meet up, engage and have some community fun. We’ll gather at 20:00 and kick off is at 21:00. Can’t wait to see our cheering crowd! Bring friends along- the more the merrier!
RSVP helpful but not necessary. Updated info will also be shared HERE
Monday 22 June, 7pm on Zoom
Living Across Borders: Members Suggest
A member to member sharing session on common challenges and frequently asked questions about the day to day aspects of living abroad.
More Info & RSVP HERE
VOLUNTEER
We're building our volunteer teams! Whatever your skills, interests and experience there is an opportunity for you. Contact Liz at [email protected]
PLEASE CONNECT TO STAY UPDATED & SHARE!
US Citizens in South Africa are invited to get in touch and get involved, contact us at [email protected]
HELP US FIND US VOTERS IN SOUTH AFRICA
You can help us find and mobilize US voters across South Africa this year by reaching out to your networks, volunteering or making a financial contribution.
Let us know if you'd like to volunteer by emailing us at [email protected]. Click the button below to donate
Thank you -
Democrats Abroad South Africa
[email protected]