NOVEMBER IS NOW!
It's hard to believe it but it's time to vote! This newsletter is focused specifically on Voting Info, several Upcoming Events & an update on Social Security.
You can't vote them out if you don't vote!
If you're eligible to vote in State or Local elections, please do! The issues we're concerned about at national level are playing out in our state capitals, towns and cities too. Let's do everything we can to influence change through these elections, and as we prepare for 2026.
CLICK HERE for info on how to Vote From SA in 2025
VOTING IN 2025!
EVERY OFFICE ACROSS THE STATES IS CRITICAL
Voting is one of the strongest forms of resistance and protest right now. From Special Congressional Elections to state and local offices, let's vote in every election we're eligible for and show up for our country!
Global Democrats Abroad has been sending out targeted emails to voters in several states. Phonebanking is also underway - with volunteers making up to 1000 calls a day! See a 202 number on your phone? Its likely a Democrats Abroad volunteer calling to remind you to vote and to see if you need any help!
Voting from Abroad in 2025
2025 may not be an even-numbered year, but voters abroad still have high-stakes elections important for defending democracy this November — and remember, for Americans abroad, November is NOW.
🇺🇸🗳📣 MAKE SURE YOU ARE REGISTERED AND READY TO VOTE FROM ABROAD!
Do it now. Protect your vote and protect our democracy by sending in your ballot request and voting in any elections that you may be eligible for in 2025. We recommend reading your ballot carefully and voting the whole ballot.
- Texas and Tennessee are holding Special Congressional Elections this fall/winter to fill vacant House seats: TX-18 (Houston area) and TN-7 (Middle and West Tennessee). All Texas and Tennessee voters abroad who vote in these districts can vote in these federal elections.
- Virginia statewide battleground races: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and every seat in the House of Delegates
- New Jersey statewide battleground races: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and every seat in the General Assembly
- Pennsylvania statewide battleground races: three state Supreme Court seats
- California statewide battleground race: Proposition 50, the Election Rigging Response Act, seeks to negate the Texas gerrymander ordered by Trump to steal the 2026 House elections. All California voters abroad can vote in this statewide election.
- Georgia statewide battlegrounds: two Public Service Commissioner seats
- Maine has a statewide ballot initiative that if passed would require documentary proof from voters in order to vote. (Read more about that here). Requiring additional documentary proof does nothing to prevent statistically non-existent voter fraud — but it does make it a lot harder for eligible voters to vote.
- Mayoral elections: Additionally, 38 major cities are electing mayors, including cities like New York City, Miami, Minneapolis, Boston, Seattle and Cincinnati.
📣👉All voters abroad are urged to send in a FPCA and to vote the whole ballot they receive. Even if you currently do not have an election, the FPCA registration and ballot request form will ensure you are registered as an overseas (UOCAVA) voter, update your voter information, and protect you from voter roll purges.
Each state has different rules for overseas voters. Check yours today at www.votefromabroad.org/states
DO YOU VOTE BY FAXING YOUR BALLOT?
IMPORTANT UPDATE!
The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) will no longer offer their email to fax service!
The Vote from Abroad (VFA) FAQs have been updated.
PLEASE TAKE A LOOK HERE FOR INFO
4. How do I send In my ballot by fax?
https://www.votefromabroad.org/faqs/RT4
5. How do I send in my FPCA or Ballot by fax if I don't have access to a fax machine?
https://www.votefromabroad.org/faqs/RT5
Online Fax options: HelloFax, FaxZero, eFax, or FaxPlus
Fax applications: CocoFax, RingCentral, GeniusFax, iFax, and WiseFax
STATE HIGHLIGHTS FROM DASA MEMBERS
CALIFORNIA PROP 50
DASA Exco Member and California Voter Tiffany Jackson-Zunker, (who has already cast her vote!) has prepared this info and hosted this week's Take Action Tuesday focused on mobilising voters for California's YES vote on Prop 50!
Attention all California Voters in South Africa: Proposition 50 is the ONLY thing on the ballot on November 4. And it MUST PASS. It is designed to redistrict and capture five new democratic seats. This is a direct counter punch to the president’s illegal redistricting in Texas ahead of the 2030 census. A true act of resistance is your vote.
Important dates to remember:
- Your ballot must be postmarked or date-stamped on or before Election Day, November 4, 2025, and received by the Department of Elections by November 11, 2025.
- Courier or fax ballot
- Only CA voters registered as overseas voters (Military / Civilian Overseas Voters, or UOCAVA voters) can receive their ballot by email and return their ballot by fax.
- October 20, 2025 – Last day to register to vote. Still Need to register? Visit VotefromAbroad.org
- November 4, 2025 20:00 PST - Last moment to return your ballot by fax! Your ballot must be received by the Department of Elections no later than this time. (Don't be that voter, Vote Now!)
- Courier or fax ballot
Help us find and encourage all CA voters in SA, elsewhere abroad or in the states - to make sure they're registered and vote. Make a list and reach out!
READ MORE from Tiffany, including links to info on Prop 50 and social media resources!
TEXAS-18 SPECIAL CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION
The Ins and Outs of the Special Election in Texas District 18 on November 4, 2025 READ HERE
This article by DASA Member and Texas Voter Susan Cashin is for all of us! Texas voters and district TX-18 voters are especially encouraged to read it. We all need to reach out to friends and family in Texas and across the country to encourage them to vote! Our country's direction depends on it.
VIRGINIA STATE ELECTIONS
Keshia Bedard, a Virginia voter who has recently left South Africa for Germany, has written up info for our Virginia voters and friends. Important elections on the ballot include: Governor - which Abigail Spanberger is running for, Lt Governor, all 100 State House of Delegate seats, and State Attorney General.
You can request your Virginia ballot by email but you must return it by "Mail" - which in South Africa right now means courier is the only safe option. You can take your chances using the Consulate Diplomatic Bag for the next couple of days...but you'll be doing just that, taking chances!
READ Keshia's write-up with further details
ACT - REACH OUT TO FRIENDS & FAMILY
Whether you make a call, share posts on social media, send messages or a personalised email - just do it!
Send friends & family abroad to Vote From Abroad
Send friends & family in the US to When We All Vote
Know someone who's 18, or will be by 4 Nov? Start with them!
DASA CO-FOUNDER RUNNING FOR OFFICE!
As noted last month, Bishop Kelley is stepping forward to run for office in Lexington, Ohio! 2025 is an election year and every election across the country matters more than ever! You can visit his website and support his campaign.
SOCIAL SECURITY UPDATE
from DASA Member Susan Cashin who is liaising with The Democrats Abroad Taxation Task Force and Seniors Caucus for DASA on related issues
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Contacts
Their number is +44 (0)207 499 9000, ext. 23926 (lines open Tues & Weds from 9:30am-1:00pm - London) - Email - [email protected]
- https://uk.usembassy.gov/fbu-enquiry-form/
Rebecca will be in DC in a few weeks to meet with Congressional Offices and will share our concerns.
ACTION: Rep Dina Titus is the chair of the Congressional Americans Abroad Caucus and engages regularly with Democrats Abroad. You can contact her office to raise awareness but we also suggest you contact your own Congressmembers too!
How could a government shutdown affect Social Security recipients?
CBS News article by Aimee Picchi
"The system hasn't missed a payment in its entire 90-year history and won't start now," Max Richtman, CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare, said in an email. "But customer service at the Social Security Administration (SSA) may be disrupted, including benefit verifications, earnings record corrections and updates, overpayments processing, and replacing Medicare cards."
EVENTS
WE RECOMMEND
Beto O’Rourke On Battling Gerrymandering & Defending the Right to Vote - a sobering and inspiring discussion with Democrats Abroad last week
COMING UP IN OCT...
ECCC Climate Café: Faith-based Decarbonization
Sound interesting.....? Take a look
More Info & RSVP HERE
DASA has been running weekly 30 minute action-focused sessions on Zoom where we share critical actions and provide members with a weekly timeslot to follow through on these or other actions of interest.
Tuesday 7 October 7:30-8:00pm
Info & RSVP HERE
Tuesday 14 October 7:30-8:00pm
Info & RSVP HERE
Tuesday 21 October 7:30-8:00pm
Info & RSVP HERE
Tuesday 28 October 7:30-8:00pm
Info & RSVP HERE
Saturday 11 October
Explore the city around you! And meet fellow Americans at the same time. Join Democrats Abroad for the Delta Park Run on Saturday morning, October 11th (8am). Joburg has lovely parks worth visiting and what better way than a brisk walk or run (jog?) with a fun and lively group of people.
Please register in advance with ParkRun and RSVP with DASA. Bring friends, family and pets with you.
ParkRun info and registration: https://www.parkrun.co.za/delta/
More Info & DASA RSVP HERE
Saturday 18 October No Kings, No Tyrants - Joburg
Democracy Bar - Illovo 15:00 -18:00
In solidarity with the Mass Mobilisation in the US and around the world
Save the Date - further details soon
More Info & RSVP HERE
Saturday 18 October No Kings, No Tyrants - Cape Town
In solidarity with the Mass Mobilisation in the US and around the world. Cape Town's will be a family friendly event.
Save the Date - further details soon
More Info & RSVP HERE
Saturday 25 October
DASA Meetup at the Johannesburg Pride Event & Parade
See the event info https://prideofafrica.org
The event runs 10:00-Midnight in Sandton. We'll confirm DASA meetup time and location soon.
More DASA Meetup Info & RSVP HERE
Tuesday 4 November - Living Across Borders
7pm South African Time on Zoom
Let's Talk SA Visas/Immigration for Americans in SA and What Need to Know About Travelling to the US Now - with DASA member June Luna, an Immigration Attorney based in Cape Town.
Please share this event with other US Citizens in SA as we know there is widespread concern. We encourage you to submit questions and priority interests in advance HERE
More Info & RSVP HERE
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]
This month we won't even ask you to donate, we just ask you to VOTE! But you know we won't say "No" if you'd like to donate ;)
Thank you!
Thank you -
Democrats Abroad South Africa