Image from www.kamalaharris.com
November is Now in South Africa!
Welcome and Thank You!
Thank you for joining, volunteering, reaching out to others, donating and for Getting Ready to Vote!
We are happy to welcome so many New Members to Democrats Abroad South Africa (DASA)! The past six weeks have been an incredible moment in our country's history and a time to celebrate democracy! Let's celebrate it by VOTING!
Thank you to all of our volunteers - old and new! Quite of few of our most active volunteers since 2020 have left the country and DASA is still building up as a reconstituted Country Committee so all help is welcome!
There's a lot of info in this newsletter so I'll keep this welcome short. You can read past newsletters HERE and keep an eye on upcoming DASA events HERE. We already have eight events coming up this month (see below) - in Joburg, Cape Town and Online. Thanks to all of the members who are helping to host these! The energy is pumping, even more so since the Convention!
The following statement attributed to Kamala Harris in a campaign fundraising email stood out as its how so many of us feel:
“Years from now, our children and our grandchildren will ask us where we were when the stakes were so high. They will ask us what it was like. I don't want us to just tell them how we felt. I want us to tell them what we did.”
Tim Walz has been saying "we'll sleep when we die" and we all heard Michelle Obama's call to "Do Something".
So...Let's do This, Let's Win This!
Love and solidarity,
Liz O'Leary - DASA Chair
[email protected]
THANK YOU FOR DONATING TO DEMOCRATS ABROAD
Please consider Donating Directly to DA South Africa
A recent financial report showed that more members from South Africa have recently donated to Democrats Abroad at the Global level. If you RSVP for the Americans Abroad for Harris-Walz Zoom event (5 Sept - see below) you'll see it invites you to donate, splitting your contribution between The Harris Campaign and Democrats Abroad Global - a great strategy from our Global Team!
Members around the world certainly benefit from contributions to Democrats Abroad, we are proud to be part of the global body, but we don't have direct access to those funds locally. We encourage you to donate directly to DASA to enable our work in South Africa.
Can you contribute $24, $240 or $2400 toward our voter mobilisation work in South Africa this year? We're a volunteer led organisation but still have expenses in getting out the vote. We'll greatly appreciate your support. Thank you!
Ricardo Gressel - A Joyful Warrior from VP Kamala Harris' School Days in Berkeley
Ricardo Gressel is many things: An entrepreneur, a sought-after MC, a motivational speaker, a former model, the father and grandfather in a successfully blended family. He is, he would Iike you to know, a South American African American, although he likes the ring and simplicity that comes with being a South African American. He has been resident in South Africa for close to 30 years.
He is often the voice and the face of Democrats Abroad South Africa, the person called upon when radio and TV are looking for a DASA statement on events. And now his schedule, always packed, is likely to increase exponentially because of an accident of upbringing and friendship: he grew up in the same town as Kamala Harris and his long-time girlfriend was Kamala’s best friend.
Thanks to Ricardo Gressel and Barbara Ludman for this article.
NOVEMBER IS NOW IN SOUTH AFRICA
Let's Get Ready!
CRITICAL DATES
Mark Your Calendars & Make a Voting Plan
Each state has different timeframes, rules and procedures. Please look at your state's info, request your ballot, read How to Vote from South Africa and
Make a Voting Plan!
Take No Chances & VOTE EARLY
5 November may be Election Day in the US but we strongly suggest you view Friday 4 October as Election Day from SA. Let's make sure our votes count!
Request your 2024 Ballot at www.votefromabroad.org
Look at your state's timeframes and processes at www.votefromabroad.org/states
Read through our Voting from South Africa Info HERE
REQUEST YOUR 2024 BALLOTS NOW
NEED HELP?
HELP IS AVAILABLE at www.votefromabroad.org
Vote from Abroad is a nonpartisan service of Democrats Abroad:
- Ballot Request Tool
- State-specific info
- FAQs
- Chatbox
- Email: [email protected]
- 1-1 Support via ZOOM:
CLICK HERE for Live Voter Support options!
Contact the Voter Protection Team with any concerns related to voter rights or challenges you're having in your state at [email protected]
VOTING FROM SOUTH AFRICA
CLICK HERE for detailed info on VOTING FROM SOUTH AFRICA 2024 including Consulate addresses and drop-off times for those in states that require postal return.
ALL IN!
GET INVOLVED TO ENSURE OUR CANDIDATES WIN!
The photo on the upper left is from our 2020 Victory Party in Joburg! Envision VICTORY again and get involved with DASA to help make it happen!
Help us find US Citizens abroad! Do you have creative ideas or skills to contribute to voter outreach? Interested in hosting a meetup or event?
Democrats Abroad is a small, volunteer-led Country Committee but there's a lot of work to do, especially in an election season like this! We’re looking for volunteers in South Africa with a wide range of skills, interests and availability.
Volunteers make it all possible! Click on the red button above for the DASA volunteer interest form or email [email protected].
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Volunteers are also needed at the Global level for Phonebanking, Voter Assistance and more - please CLICK HERE for more info and training
VOTER OUTREACH
Word of Mouth & Digital - Spread the Word
We are finding new members, new volunteers...new potential voters in South Africa each day! Please reach out to other US Citizens you know in SA, on the continent, and around the world.
Ask them if they're ready to vote.
Encourage them to join Democrats Abroad.
Engage and Share our Posts on Social Media (Links below)
MEDIA & AMERICANS OF SOUTH AFRICA
Join our DASA Speakers & Writers Bureau
Our Media Team is rolling and media interest in the elections is building! If you'd like to be involved in representing Democrats Abroad South Africa (DASA) by writing, speaking or organising please email Griffin Shea, DASA Media Coordinator at [email protected] - let's build a team to share diverse voices as widely as possible!
Our team and the media are also interested in profiling Americans in SA - are you willing to share a little about your life in SA and why this election is important to you?
PLEASE COMPLETE THIS FORM so we have your details and can get in touch
STATE TEAMS
Join one of the State Teams to help mobilise voters!
The 2024 Presidential elections may be closely decided by a few states but there are critical races in every state. We need to vote at local, state and national levels to ensure the best candidates win! Do you know what's happening in your state? There are active State Teams for battleground states and many others. You are welcome to join any state team to lend your support.
CLICK HERE to see if there's a Team for your state or choose a state you'd like to support
DEMOCRATS ABROAD CAUCUSES
Have you joined any of the ELEVEN Democrats Abroad Caucuses?
Global Asian American & Pacific Islander Caucus
Global Black Caucus
Global Disability Caucus
Environment & Climate Crisis Council
Global Hispanic Caucus
Global LGBTQ+ Caucus
Global Progressive Caucus
Global Seniors Caucus
Global Veterans & Military Families Caucus
Global Women's Caucus
Global Youth Caucus
https://www.democratsabroad.org/caucuses
EVENTS
We’d love your input!
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Have ideas for DASA events or venues to use? Know of American owned restaurants? Please take a minute to share ideas CLICK HERE
- Interested in hosting an event or have an idea on finding American voters in SA? Let us know [email protected]
UPCOMING EVENTS
Thursday 5 September
Americans Abroad for Harris-Walz (Virtual)
Global Zoom Rally
6pm South Africa
This three-hour event will feature members of Congress, like Ruben Gallego and Cory Booker, DA House Parties from around the globe and actresses America Ferrera, Kyra Sedgwick, and Alfre Woodard, among others.
RSVP to attend this momentous global organizing event, and spread the word far and wide to all of the U.S. citizens you may know around the world!
INVITATION - If you'd like to host a house party for this event let us know. They plan to include house parties around the world and we can put your info forward with hopes that we'll get a shout of from South Africa! Please let us know - [email protected]
Sunday 8 September
Bring Home the Ballot DASA Voting Kickoff (Virtual)
Zoom
7pm South Africa
Members around the country are invited to join our Voting Kickoff Zoom. DASA Media Team Member Ricardo Gressel knew VP Kamala Harris from their school days in Berkeley - he'll open the session with some personal reflections and help point us toward victory!
Tuesday 10 September (Cape Town)
Jazz Evening Meetup
A Touch of Madness
12 Nuttall Road, Observatory, Cape Town
7pm
It's been said that if democracy had a sound it would be Jazz. Join us in Observatory to celebrate this moment in our democracy!
Wednesday 11 September (Virtual)
Presidential Debate Watch
Zoom
3am South Africa
Planning to watch the debate in real-time? Set your alarms, make some tea and let's tune in together.
Saturday 14 September (Joburg)
Bubbles & Ballots
A Member’s Home in Lonehill
2-4pm South Africa
Join us for a fun afternoon to celebrate the joy and momentum of the Harris-Walz campaign and take a few minutes to heed First Lady Michelle Obama's call to "Do Something"
Monday 16 September (Virtual)
Let’s Talk Predictions & How We Win This Election
Zoom
7pm South Africa
Former DASA Chair Lou Hureston will share his Presidential Election Predictive Model, we’ll talk Electoral College and the role we each have to play in this election!
Saturday 21 September (Joburg)
Burgers & Ballots – Ballot Day Family Gathering
BGR – Oxford Parks
Rosebank
12-2pm
Bring your kids along for a burger and a taste of active citizenship. This is Ballot Day - when ballots arrive and we can start voting!
Wednesday 25 September (Joburg)
Ballot Drop Meetup across from Sandton Consulate
Doppio Zero – Sandton City
Sandton
12-2pm
Do you vote in a Mail-in State and plan to use the Consulate Diplomatic Pouch to return your ballot? Take no chances, get it in early - our target date is 25 Sept. We'll meet at Doppio at lunchtime and then walk across to drop our (stamped or postage paid) ballots off.
INVITE: CAPE TOWN & MEMBERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY
Members in Cape Town: We would love to hold a Voter Outreach meetup in Cape Town on Ballot Day Sat 21 September and a Ballot Drop Meetup near the Consulate in Cape Town on Mon 23 or Wed 25 Sept (perhaps at Vovo Telo at Steenberg) - anyone willing to host one of these?
Members in other parts of the country: if you're keen to host a meetup in your area, let's see if we can find other potential voters nearby!
Please let us know at [email protected]
Democrats Abroad Global Events
Lots Going On! Check it out here -
https://www.democratsabroad.org/events
PLEASE CONNECT TO STAY UPDATED & SHARE!
Americans in South Africa are invited to get in touch and get involved, contact us at [email protected]
**Join our WhatsApp group**
**This is the quickest way for us to keep in touch regularly as a group!
Website Note: To keep our group safe we have removed the join link from the public website. Send an email to [email protected] with your names and cell number and we'll be happy to add you (US Citizens living in SA)
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DemocratsAbroadSouthAfrica
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/democratsabroadsouthafrica/
LOVE LETTER CAMPAIGN PIN
We are looking at local DASA / Harris-Walz merchandise options but in the meantime...
💙 Check out this South African beaded pin initiative some of our members in Cape Town have created! They plan to contribute some of the proceeds to Democrats Abroad South Africa per FEC guidelines.
Buy a pin for yourself or buy several to give to others! Let's get these Harris-Walz Love Letters out there.
You'll see they also invite you to donate to DASA directly. Thank you Love Letter Team!
You can order from them here (CLICK FOR THE FORM)
THANK YOU!
Thank you for voting, for volunteering and donating!
We know everyone is asking these days, but as we're focussed locally, we ask you to support our work within South Africa.
Can you contribute $24, $240 or $2400 toward our voter mobilisation work in South Africa this year? We're a volunteer led organisation but still have expenses in getting out the vote. We'll greatly appreciate your support. Thank you!
Thank you - Let's each do our part in Getting Out The Vote and Winning This Election!