☀️ Spring is in the air — make sure your ballot is too! Request your overseas ballot now, check your state’s requirements, and be ready to vote.

September is here, we finally get to vote THIS MONTH! 

So much at stake and we CAN take control of Congress if we all vote! We can change the country's direction. We have to. You see the news and know all the reasons why. Let's do this for those who came before us, our families and friends in the US, for each other, for those who can't vote, for the nearly 350, 000 000 people who call the US home, for South Africa and the world. For the future!  

We need volunteers to help with outreach! Let us know if you're interested – [email protected] 

We encourage you to reach out to other US Citizens in SA, particularly if they're new to the country and may not yet know how to vote from abroad. Encourage them to go to www.votefromabroad.org to find their state-specific info and request their ballots. Invite them to join DASA at www.democratsabroad.org/join. 

The voter suppression tactics including sowing further chaos will continue (more on that below) but DON'T let the threats stop you from voting! Don't give in. VOTE! 

If you missed our August Newsletter, find it HERE 

Find our How To Vote From South Africa 2026 info HERE 

Grab a cup of coffee, there's lots of info & events this month...and we'll likely send an update mid-month with more. Please also keep your eyes open for state-specific information from Global Democrats Abroad and soon....your ballots from your Local Election Officials!

SO MANY REASONS TO VOTE! EVERY OFFICE POSSIBLE TO PROTECT OUR COUNTRY

FROM THE GLOBAL GET OUT THE VOTE (GOTV) TEAM:

🌊🗳️💪 THE BEST VOTER PROTECTION FOR EVERY VOTER ABROAD

Best thing to do to protect your overseas vote? The most powerful voter protection step you can take is to send in an FPCA Ballot Request every year, and ask to receive your ballot by Email or Online! 

Worried about Voter Roll purges? Sending in an FPCA form makes you an "active voter" and clears up any flags on your voter registration that can happen if they think your address changed. It also re-registers you if you were actually purged. 

Overseas voters have the right to have our ballots sent to us by email/online. Choose that option. Don't even consider requesting your ballot be sent to you by postal mail or attempting to return it via international mail from South Africa. 

Make a plan to vote! Once you get your ballot, prepare to vote and return it right away. Overseas ballots go out on Sept 19 (45 days before the election), BUT ONLY to those who have requested them by them. Don't wait till its late, request yours today. 

Some states require that voted ballots be returned by postal mail, which in South Africa means using the Consulate Diplomatic Bags or by courier.

Back-up ballots - Voters from mail-in states can also cast a Backup Ballot (FWAB) now if you choose to - read more here at www.Votefromabroad.org/backup_ballot. Need help or have questions? Get everything you need at VotefromAbroad.org.

VOTER ALERTS

GLOBAL NOTICE RE: TEXAS - Please share this info with any overseas Texas voters who have not yet submitted their FPCA/Ballot Request 

Texas Republicans are at it again, messing with voter files and “suspense lists” to try to keep Texas voters from making their voices heard this fall.

But we’ve got a Texas two-step of our own. As a Texan abroad, you’re just two steps away from blocking this Republican chicanery:

• Request your overseas ballot through VotefromAbroad.org (ask that it be sent to you by email!)
• Confirm with your Texas election official that your registration is active for the year

Once your overseas ballot request is in, you’re protected for the upcoming election. If someone in Texas disagrees, get in touch. Our voter protection team is here to help at [email protected].

Let’s show Republicans that they can’t mess with blue Texas! 
More info for Texas Voters HERE 

ALL VOTERS: Voter Suppression 

Keep focused. There is no question they are trying to suppress the vote through various means but part of their tactic is to sow enough chaos, confusion and uncertainty that we give in and don’t vote. Don’t give in. They don't want us to vote....so VOTE!

There are multiple, ongoing battles on the legal front. Don’t get too caught up in the headlines, the legal fight back is strong, and the Constitution is on our side (yah, we see you Supreme Court) but these are examples of why we need to vote for Democratic State Attorneys General and Governors; they are fighting for us, as are many civil rights and legal entities, support them if you can.

VOTE TO WIN IN 2026!

How To Vote From South Africa 2026 

CAUCUS HIGHLIGHTS 

INVITATION TO ALL in remembrance of Sept 11th. The VMF Caucus is gathering reflections, memories, and photos surrounding the 25th anniversary of September 11th from VMF members and the broader Democrats Abroad Community.  

You can find more info and the form to submit memories and photos on the website HERE 

Read More about the Global Veterans & Military Families Caucus HERE  

Read about & join the Global Women's Caucus HERE 

Read their September Newsletter HERE 

Check our their 11 October HER NEXT Career Conversations Event HERE and share it with young women who may be interested in participating. Space is limited to 60 participants. 

Read about & join the GBC HERE 

Check out and RSVP for their Beyond The Ballot Sept 6 & 20 events HERE 

MEMBER TO MEMBER

GREAT NEWS ON SOCIAL SECURITY SSA 7162 REPORTING

- In last month's newsletter we shared a couple of solutions members had suggested for contacting the Social Security Administration for assistance, particularly with ensuring you receive and submit your "proof of life" form SSA 7162 to ensure continuous flow of Social Security payments. 

Susan M. Cashin has continued to look for more info and solutions and shared an update with a new option for ensuring continued flow of Social Security benefits by reporting your Form 7161 and 7162 information over the phone!

READ THE UPDATED INFO HERE 

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.

INVITATION FROM THE US CONSULATE IN JOBURG:

Please RSVP today 4 September. The Consulate in Joburg has asked us to share this invite with you. If you are registered with the US govt STEP programme you would've received it by email. 

U.S. citizens in South Africa 🇺🇸🇿🇦 — join the U.S. Consulate General Johannesburg for an ACS Townhall and Reception on September 10 at 4:00 PM. Connect with Consulate staff and learn about consular services, safety and security, voting from abroad, and the Citizen Liaison Volunteer Program.

📅 Register by September 4
📧 [email protected]

MORE INFO and TO RSVP - https://za.usembassy.gov/routine-message-acs-townhall-and-reception-in-johannesburg-on-september-10-at-400-pm/

EVENTS

Announcing U.S. banking options for Americans living abroad!

10 September Info Sessions

Democrats Abroad members and their families are now eligible to apply for membership with State Department Federal Credit Union (SDFCU), a U.S. credit union serving members both in the U.S. and around the world. 

Eligible members can access U.S. financial products and services while living abroad, including international money transfers, support for international addresses and phone numbers, credit cards with no foreign transaction fees, and more.

Learn more about SDFCU membership for Democrats Abroad members and our families here https://www.democratsabroad.org/sdfcu_credit_union_for_americans_abroad

Thursday 10 September - Democrats Abroad will host two info sessions on U.S. Banking for Democrats Abroad Members with State Department Federal Credit Union. Each webinar will feature the same presentation, but is being hosted at two different times.

Session 1 from 9-10am South African Time 

Session 2 from 7-8pm South African Time 

More info & to RSVP for the Info sessions at https://www.democratsabroad.org/sdfcuwebinars

As noted above, there are several Help Desk sessions in September, but please seek help early. We can't take any chances this year! 

You can find info & RSVP details for all of these on our DASA events page HERE 

See a few Caucus events above in the Caucus Highlights section. 

TEN TUESDAYS - Launched this week, now the next nine Tuesdays until Election Day!

We have built on our Take Action Tuesdays and are now collaborating with countries across Africa and the Gulf on Ten Tuesdays to Get Out the Vote. 

These are weekly, 30 minute Take Action sessions aimed at leveraging our networks to find and mobilise voters in our regions. 7:30-8pm South African time on zoom. 

While they still send handwritten postcards by snail mail, knock on doors and put up lawn signs in the States, much of our outreach is digital and we can quickly leverage our personal contacts and networks to reach others...if we take a few minutes to do it!  We’ll do a quick intro to the day’s action, share related resources and then spend the bulk of the time getting it done.

Tuesday 8 September Info & RSVP HERE  
Next up - Videos catch our attention and can tell a story. Keen to learn how to make short-form video content to help get out the vote? DA Kenya will be hosting this session. 

Tuesday 15 September Info & RSVP HERE 

Event pages for 22 & 29 Sept as well as 6, 13, 20, 27 October & 3 Nov will be up soon. 

You may think you don't have time to volunteer...but how about 30 minutes one, some, or each Tuesday until the election to turn out the overseas vote!?

Tuesday 22 September, 16:30, on Zoom
Living Across Borders: Insurance and Wills - with Gradidge Mahura Investments 

Insurance & Wills – not fun, but necessary!  Join us for our next Living Across Borders session on the practical aspects of living abroad in South Africa. You’re welcome to share the invite with other US citizens navigating the logistics of living here.

Virath Juggai will touch on the various insurances you should consider including Medical Aid, Disability, Life, Business, Personal Liability, Home & Auto etc. 

Nico Banda will take us through what we need to know about Wills. 

You're welcome to send questions in advance to [email protected] 

More info + RSVP for the Zoom link HERE 

Wednesday 23 September, 10:30 - 13:30, Vovo Telo, Steenberg Village, Tokai

VOTE Before the Heritage Day Long Weekend - get it done and check it off your list! 

Do you vote in a “mail-in” state? Not sure? Check here https://www.votefromabroad.org/states 

You can use the Consulate's Diplomatic Pouch to send your ballot in (do not use the regular postal system from South Africa). But we strongly suggest a deadline of 29 Sept. 

Drop in for a casual meetup near the US Consulate in Cape Town and send your ballot on it’s way before the holiday weekend! RSVP is encouraged so we know to expect you, but not necessary. 

You can find info on how to use the Consulate Diplomatic Pouch to return your ballot HERE in our How To Vote From South Africa guide.  

Thanks to Steve Barak for organising this Consulate Drop-Off Meetup in Cape Town!  

More Info + RSVP HERE 

Wednesday 23 September, 13:00-15:00, Doppio Zero, Sandton City across from the US Consulate 

Vote Early. Before the long weekend. Ballot done = one less thing to worry about!

Gauteng - if you vote in a “mail-in” state, stop by Wed 23 Sept, 13:00-15:00 for a casual meetup near the US Consulate in Joburg & then send your ballot on its way before the Heritage Day long weekend! We'll walk over to the Consulate just before 15:00.

**Joburg Consulate drop-off hours are limited to 15:00-16:00 Mon-Thurs and that Thursday 24th is a holiday so they're closed. Tight timeframes, but let’s not let that stop us!

Don't know if you vote in a “mail-in” state? Check here https://www.votefromabroad.org/states 

You can use the Consulate's Diplomatic Pouch to send your ballot in (do not use the regular postal system from South Africa). But we strongly suggest a deadline of 29 Sept. 

You can find info on how to use the Consulate Diplomatic Pouch to return your ballot HERE in our How To Vote From South Africa guide.  

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]

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Democrats Abroad South Africa