Your Vote and Your Voice Count – Keep Using Them!

I have had an interesting few weeks back in the USA. And there is more to come, as I will be here for the March 28^th No Kings Day. It has been a rare privilege to be able to join weekly protest actions and meet organizers and volunteers alike. Standing on a street corner with fellow determined citizens (really determined as it was below zero and windy), showing our resistance to the current administration, had a strong impact on me.

One perspective I wanted to describe to DASA members was the admiration and awe that every volunteer shared when I told them I lived in South Africa and was active in Democrats Abroad. When I described the various resistance actions DASA organized, ones that our members’ energy and commitment made successful, they were mightily impressed. They were seeing it almost as more important than what they were doing.

I feel that we tend to think that because we are overseas our voices are somehow fainter, less impactful. I mean who are we really protesting against?  But the folks in the USA, standing on street corners every weekend - through cold, wet or nice weather - they share the same concern. Are they doing enough?

Knowing that we were putting together events, advocating for voting rights, finding Americans, getting them registered and assisting them to vote on time – this was the work they greatly respected. I urge all of us not to forget the power each and every one of us possesses to show up, speak out, and fight for our rights as U.S. citizens. Even far from American shores.

Keep up the good work folks! Remember how much it counts.

Tiffany Jackson, DASA Exco Member-at-Large

Are you interested in participating in a No Kings, No Tyrants solidarity event in South Africa? 

The next No Kings protests are scheduled for Saturday 28 March across the States and around the world. We're planning to participate in one form or another in solidarity from South Africa but we'd like to gauge your interest in participating and we need volunteers to make it happen!

PLEASE SHARE IDEAS & INDICATE YOUR INITIAL INTEREST HERE by Monday 2 March so we can begin planning. 

HONORING REV. JESSE JACKSON 

Rev. Jesse Jackson meeting with DASA leaders and members on visits to South Africa. Thanks to Clara Priester and Lou Hureston for sharing these photos. 

Adrianne George, Interim Chair of the Democrats Abroad Global Black Caucus, shared this tribute to Rev. Jackson - 

"We honor the life and legacy of Rev. Jesse Jackson, a tireless advocate for justice, voting rights and global human dignity.

Rev. Jackson challenged systems of exclusion and expanded the imagination of what was possible for Black Americans and for communities across the diaspora. He negotiated the release of American hostages, marched, preached, encouraged and led by example. His leadership through the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and his historic presidential campaigns opened doors and built bridges that continue to shape and influence our work today.

As members of the Global Black Caucus, we stand on the shoulders of giants such as Rev. Jackson who organized, mobilized, helped clear a path forward, and refused to accept less than our full participation in democracy in the United States. Rev. Jackson said, “If you don’t vote, you don’t count.” In his honor, let’s show up in the primaries, the midterms and in every other moment where our voices and our votes can make a difference.

If you haven’t already, go to www.votefromabroad.org to ensure you’re ready to carry forward his courage, discipline, and commitment to collective progress."

As his family said in their statement, “His unwavering belief in justice, equality, and love uplifted millions, and we ask you to honor his memory by continuing the fight for the values he lived by.”

ELECTORAL WINS! LET'S KEEP IT GOING

May we make it so! Let's keep up the momentum.

✅ Special Election WIN in LA! Democrat Chasity Martinez WON Louisiana State House District 60 defeating Republican Brad Daigle by +24 (62% to his 38%), in a district that voted Trump +13 — a 37 point swing in favor of Democrats. 

According to CBS News, Republicans have not yet had any special election legislative pickups during Trump's second term. Democrats have flipped eight previously GOP-held districts in special elections since Trump took office.  

✅ Special Election WINS in VA! Democrat Elizabeth Bennett-Parker was victorious in the race for State Senate District 39, earning 82.6% of the vote, and Democrat Kirk McPike won in House District 5, earning a whopping 91.5% of the vote.  These victories retain Democratic legislative control in VA, and show double-digit Democratic overperformance compared to 2024.

VOTE TO WIN IN 2026!

SPECIAL FEDERAL ELECTIONS UNDER WAY:  

✅Special Election in Congressional District New Jersey 11 (Essex, Morris, and Passaic Counties) to fill Mikie Sherrill’s seat now that she is Governor; Democrat Analilia Mejia won the Democratic primary on February 5, she heads to the General Election April 16 against Republican Joe Hathaway.

✅Special Election in Congressional District Georgia 14 (Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Floyd, Murray, Paulding, Polk, Walker, Whitfield, and portions of Cobb Counties) to fill GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s seat will be held March 10. A Special Runoff Election, if needed, will be held on April 7

✅Special Election in Virginia on April 21 - State Special election to allow redistricting.

The VA State Supreme Court just ruled that VA can move forward with a special state election to decide whether to allow a redistricting plan that could net up to 4 new Democratic seats in the U.S. House in November.

FROM THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE (DNC)

Here’s an interesting, longer read for the wknd. Don’t waste your time on the accompanying video. Frustration with the party and party leadership is something we need to both reckon with and contribute toward change. This article touches on some of the issues and how we got here (there are many issues not covered) and provides some insight into current DNC approaches to change and party building under Ken Martin, who has been Chair for about a year. Some of the recent history is pretty interesting. Read the article HERE 

And here's an article from Ken Martin outlining what the DNC has been working on....

Chair Ken Martin: One Year Later, Ready for 2026 and Beyond
DNC Chair Ken Martin reflects on one year since beginning his term. Read the article HERE 

DNC Updates: To keep up with developments at the DNC sign up for their Blueprint newsletter. 

Follow the DNC’s rapid response account, @FactPostNews, on X, Threads, Facebook, BlueSky, and Instagram!

RESISTANCE 

PROTECT OUR OVERSEAS VOTE - Speak Out Against the SAVE America Act

Democrats Abroad Intl Chair Martha McDevitt-Pugh writes in Democracy Docket "Under the bill, voters would be required to provide proof of U.S. citizenship in person when registering to vote. Voters would also need to provide proof of state residency, and submit photo ID and citizenship documents not only when they register and request a ballot, but also when they cast a ballot. For U.S. citizens abroad, these requirements are not just inconvenient; they would be nearly impossible to comply with." Read the full article HERE 

TAKE ACTION AGAINST THE SAVE AMERICA ACT

Write to your Senators and tell them to STOP the Save America Act and any legislation that disenfranchises voters. Contact Republican and Democrat Senators! It is unlikely that they can get the 60 votes needed in Senate to pass it but we have to keep the pressure on to protect our voting rights!

Contact your Senators 

More info and text for script HERE 

Under Pam Bondi, the Department of Justice is deliberately revealing victims' identities while redacting names of the powerful. Its leaders are limiting access to the files and lying under oath. They must answer for how they have handled this case, and Congress has a duty to demand transparency, accountability, and compliance with the law.

☎️Contact your members of Congress and demand public hearings! U.S. Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121

Contact your Representative in the House

Contact your Senators

More info and draft script HERE 

TAX SEASON 

An update from DASA Member Susan M. Cashin 

One of his last great quotes came as Franklin knew his life was near its end.

In November 1789, Franklin wrote French scientist, Jean-Baptiste Le Roy concerned that he hadn’t heard from Le Roy since the start of the French Revolution.

After asking about Le Roy’s health and events in Paris for the past year, Franklin gave a quick update about the major event in the United States – the Constitution’s ratification a year before and the start of a new government under it.

“Our new Constitution is now established, everything seems to promise it will be durable; but, in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes,” Franklin said.

Well, it’s that time of year again. For Americans living abroad understanding the process and procedures for complying with not only U.S. tax laws but with their present country of residence can at times make one feel that death is the best option.

All joking aside, the Democrats Abroad Taxation Task Force has been hosting their annual Tax Webinar Series (see the Events section below for the upcoming 4 March webinar). Recordings of some of the webinars are linked below and are rich with info. 

On another front, important legislation, the Residency-Based Taxation Abroad Act (HR 10468) is working its way through Congress. We urge all to learn more and how it will affect Americans living overseas. Read an overview from the Taxation Task Force. 

And finally, be sure that you have registered to vote from overseas in the upcoming mid-term elections. Let’s make Benjamin Franklin’s belief that our Constitution will be durable and become as certain as death and taxes. For voter information and registration go to https://VoteFromAbroad.org

Watch HERE  

RECORDINGS OF OTHER RECENT TAXATION TASK FORCE WEBINARS 

Watch HERE 

Watch HERE 

EVENTS

Wednesday 4 March, 10:00am SA Time 
How To Catch Up on Filing Taxes as an American Abroad

 
Have you just found out you're supposed to be filing a US tax return every year? Join us for this Zoom webinar focused on how to get caught up filing your US taxes as an American abroad!

This session with the CEO of My Expat Taxes is for Americans abroad/U.S. citizens/dual citizens/expats who:

• Filed when you first moved abroad but haven't done it for a while and need to get back on top of filing;
• Haven’t filed since you moved abroad;
• Just moved abroad and don’t know how to start; or
• Just learned you’re supposed to file and want to get caught up

Topics discussed in the session will include:

• How many years do I have to back file?
• When is the tax filing deadline for Americans living outside the US?
• How much do I need to earn to file?
• Do I have to file if I'm retired?
• How much do I have to earn in order to be double taxed?

More Info & Register in advance HERE 
Proceeds fund Dems Abroad 

Sunday 8 March from 11:00 SA Time - Zoom
Feminist Hackathon

The Feminist Hackathon is an all-day, hands-on power lab for women who are done asking permission and ready to build something together.

On International Women’s Day, women from around the world come together to answer a question that's on everyone's mind: Who wields power and how do we take it back?

You will collaborate, play, experiment, argue, create, demystify, test ideas, and leave with real tools, real connections, and a clear next step. No coding involved or expertise required - just your brain, your experience, your creativity and whatever “random” skills you’ve been told don’t belong in politics. Spoiler: they do.

More Info, Sharing Kit & RSVP HERE
**Please spread the word and get others involved! 

Monday 16 March, 7pm South African Time on Zoom 
More info and RSVP HERE

Save the Date - the next No Kings, No Tyrants mass mobilisation is planned for 28 March.

Share the No Kings info with friends & family in the States and encourage them to participate.  

As noted at the top of this newsletter, we are assessing interest in and ideas for events on the 28th. Keen to be part of a No Kings, No Tyrants solidarity event in South Africa? Let us know HERE 

VOLUNTEER

Thanks to Volunteers Dvora Davey and Steve Barak in particular, we had a table at the American International School of Cape Town's International Day event in Feb. Several members helped make this happen! Thank you! 

We're building our volunteer teams! Whatever your skills, interests and experience there is an opportunity for you. Contact Liz at [email protected] 

Please expect a call, message or email from DASA volunteers asking to update your info and reminding you to request your ballots for 2026. 

MEMBERS: You can log into your account HERE (upper right-hand corner) to update your local contact details or registered US voting address. Then please let us know at [email protected] to save our volunteers time calling you! OR you can send us your updated details using this google form. 

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]

Facebook 

Instagram 

Volunteer Steve Barak is on the lookout! 

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