Hello DASA Members and Happy New Year – its 2024 and time to request your overseas ballots! There are thousands of offices up for election across the country this year and innumerable reasons to vote. Start by requesting your ballot at www.votefromabroad.org
You should’ve received an email on 9 January from Global Democrats Abroad (came in from DA Voter Information) with the info and links you’ll need to request your ballot (FPCA). Go to www.votefromabroad.org (VFA) for state-specific info and to complete the FPCA online. Every state is different so please check your state’s processes.
Monday 15 January is International Voter Registration Day – we’re encouraging all Americans abroad to request their ballots now so we’re ready for primaries and all 2024 elections! Yes, even the upcoming NY election to replace George Santos which is an early opportunity to win a seat in the House!
There is plenty of info available on www.votefromabroad.org but if you need any help, email [email protected] or pop into the Zoom the Vote marathon helpdesk taking place this weekend 13-14 Jan. Go to https://qrco.de/bbh0zg for details. It will be staffed by experienced volunteers! Please make sure your friends and family are registered and request their ballots now too!
To vote in primaries you do need to select a party (we recommend you choose Democrat 😉💙). When completing your info on VFA please also select to vote in the Democrats Abroad Global Presidential Primary (GPP). You will still vote in your state primaries for all other offices. Here we go!
WORD OF CAUTION
An organisation called The Center for US Voters Abroad (www.votersabroad.org) has been contacting Democrats Abroad members. Our Global leaders are looking into the organisation but they’ve asked that we raise awareness that they are NOT the same as Vote from Abroad (which is a non partisan voter service offered by Democrats Abroad) and that they seem to be looking for personal information. They may be legitimate but the current advice is to be careful.
GLOBAL PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY (GPP)
5-12 March
Please mark your calendars for 5-12 March. What is referred to as the Democrats Abroad Global Presidential Primary starts on Super Tuesday and runs through the following week. DASA will be hosting events, requesting our 2024 overseas ballots, voting in the primary and actively seeking new voters in South Africa for the 2024 election cycle. We’ll need volunteers around the country and look forward to your involvement!
Joburg area members please mark your diaries for Sunday 10 March 12:00-16:00 for our GPP Election Event in Sunninghill. This will be a family-friendly afternoon and a great opportunity for us to get together! We’re planning other informal ballot assistance events that week in Joburg and Cape Town.
Interested in volunteering? Email [email protected]
DASA's AGM is also scheduled during this week of activities for Monday 11 March.
UPDATING OUR MEMBERSHIP DATABASE
Help Us Update Our DASA Membership Database!
Thank you to all who have responded thus far! It is extremely helpful. Thanks also to the volunteers who are currently contacting some members as we work on this project.
It’s important that we have a current membership database as we prepare for the 2024 elections. We want to ensure you get the information you need to vote in your state. You can easily click the buttons in the emails we're sending out or you can log in and take 3-5 min to update your profile. If your contact details have changed, please do update them.
Can you take 3 minutes now to update your profile?
- Log in above (https://www.democratsabroad.org)
- In the top right corner click on your photo (or the empty circle) then Account Settings.
- Update the info in the Public and Private drop downs and Email Preferences Tabs
- Please provide a South African cell number if you have one
- Even if all of your details are correct, please click SAVE PROFILE SETTINGS as this updates a time stamp on your profile so we'll know its current.
If you’ve left South Africa you can either change your details to another country, join the Democrats Abroad Alumni group, or simply delete your membership.
GET INVOLVED
Volunteer: Let’s Build our Team and our Momentum in SA
Democrats Abroad is a volunteer-led organisation. We’re looking for volunteers in South Africa with a wide range of skills, interests and availability. Keen to get involved? Please complete our DASA Volunteer Interest Form (HERE) or email [email protected]
We can't do this without you. If you were waiting for the election year to get involved...the time is now!
Tech Skills Needed at Global Level - Call for Volunteers
The Global DA Data & Analytics Team, the DA IT Team, and the DA Comms Teams are looking for volunteers with technically oriented familiarity and skills who can contribute to our work in supporting fellow DA leaders and our back-end data management processes.
Do you like playing with spreadsheets, working with data, video editing, or just helping fellow DA volunteers with technical support?
See the specific skill-sets we are looking for HERE
VOLUNTEER HERE via this form
WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND?
Contact your elected officials in the US and share your priorities, suggestions and concerns. Your Voice Matters! While Democrats Abroad doesn't engage in foreign affairs, you can contact the White House and Congress directly.
Contact your Representatives in the House
https://www.house.gov/representatives
Contact your Senators
https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm
Contact The White House https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
GLOBAL BLACK CAUCUS
DASA members could play an incredibly important role in helping to lead and develop the Global Black Caucus (GBC). Angela Fobbs, who is currently serving as the Global Communications Director is again the Chair of The Global Black Caucus and is reaching out to invite participation in the GBC Steering Committee. Democrats Abroad is what we make it! If you’d like to help lead the Black Caucus please contact Angela at [email protected]
The 2024 GBC Poet Laureate, Elaine Thomas (Germany) is introduced In the recent GBC newsletter – read her poems here Honeydew Projections and Selfish Politics
Please also see the Event section below for info on the 15 January GBC event honouring Dr King on what would have been his 95th birthday.
EVENTS
Take a look at the various events, with wide-ranging topics, taking place regularly through Democrats Abroad https://www.democratsabroad.org/events
We’d love your input! Please take a minute to share ideas through our DASA 2024 Venues and Events Survey CLICK HERE
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Kitchen Table Talks Global Democrats Abroad is encouraging Kitchen Table Talks before 12 March to inform the DA Platform but there’s no reason we can’t hold these type of activities throughout the year. Contact [email protected] if you’d like to host one in your part of the country or even online. CLICK HERE for more info and a toolkit |
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Taxation Task Force – Wednesday Webinar Series
The Democrats Abroad Taxation Task Force Wednesday Webinar Series has kicked off. Their sessions have been very well received! Learn more about the Task Force’s work HERE and keep an eye on upcoming tax webinars HERE
Jan 17 -How To Pay Off US Federal Student Loans for Americans Abroad
Jan 24 -How To Invest For Americans Abroad & Dual Citizens
Jan 31 -How To Catch Up On Filing US Taxes From Abroad
OTHER EVENTS THIS MONTH
Saturday 13- Monday 15 January 2024
International Voter Registration Day & Zoom The Vote Helpdesk Marathon!
Take this opportunity to request your overseas absentee ballots for 2024 (submit FPCA) on www.votefromabroad.org
CLICK HERE for details on the weekend long Voter Help Marathon on Zoom! This is individual help from experienced volunteers.
Saturday 13 January 2024
Global Women’s Caucus - Women Vote: Shaping the Future of 2024 and Beyond (Zoom)
3pm SA Time
Monday 15 January 2024
Global Black Caucus - MLK Day Event with Harcourt Klinefelter, Dr King’s Former Press Officer (Zoom)
8pm SA Time
Wednesday 17 January 2024
Environment and Climate Crisis Council (ECCC)- January Climate Café (Zoom)
5pm SA Time
Monday 29 January 2024
Global Progressive Caucus - Arms Control for a More Liveable World (Zoom)
7pm SA Time
Interested in hosting an event or have an idea on finding American voters in SA? Let us know [email protected]
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
This month, a Democrats Abroad Highlight:
The Democrats Abroad Reparations Task Force was actively involved in the effort to have Gov Hochul sign the bill to set up the NY Reparations Commission! They led a coalition of over 100 organisations and individuals in a letter expressing support for the commission. Antar Keith and Kaitlyn Kennedy were in New York for the signing. Well done and thank you RTF!
Read the RTF statement HERE
If you'd like to get involved with the Reparations Task Force, please click HERE
CONNECT
Americans in South Africa are invited to get in touch and get involved, contact us at [email protected]
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DemocratsAbroadSouthAfrica
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/democratsabroadsouthafrica/
Join our WhatsApp group https://chat.whatsapp.com/EBGCcLmGh0s3PU4rvCAzMu
REACH OUT
Do you know other Americans in SA or living abroad? Ask them if they vote and encourage them to go to www.votefromabroad.org for info on voting in their state.
Please also invite them to become members of Democrats Abroad at www.democratsabroad.org/join
We encourage you to find a time in the next few days to go to www.votefromabroad.org to request your 2024 ballots. That will be one important action you can check off your list. Thank you!