It feels that there are few polite words to describe the moment and the reality we face so I'll keep this brief. Our Global Chair, Martha McDevitt-Pugh has written to all members and I will write more soon but I wanted to acknowledge this moment, particularly for those of you who are not in our WhatsApp group, and needed to get urgent info out on Ballot Curing as well as a Joburg meet-up.

We Have Voted!!  You've all voted too, right?  Wow, what a time we are living in! So much is at stake in this election and so much responsibility for our country's ...

Kamala Harris has stated that ‘the bottom line is that we know what Donald Trump wants: he wants unchecked power. The question is: what do the American people want?’ The Harris-Walz ticket is the best option that cares enough about America to lead the country forward.

Vote Now, If You Haven't Already!   It's Here!  This election season is moving quickly. I've voted, have you?  First of all, a very warm welcome to our new members!  Numbers are ...

Most of us, at one point or another in our lives, have had to make tough decisions. Leadership is defined by embracing that the needs of the many, far outweigh the needs of the few. President Biden’s decision to step aside earlier this year demonstrated true leadership in making what, by far, had to be one of the hardest decisions of his life. However, the road ahead for the country is still as tough as it was before. 

It’s estimated that there are 6.5 million U.S. citizens living abroad who can vote but less than 14% actually do. Active participation by all citizens, domestic and abroad, is more important than ever in the upcoming election. 

It is easy to forget about voting when you’re outside of the United States. DON’T! One person (one vote) can make a difference; even from abroad.

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! 

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.

Today Kamala Harris announced Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. The campaign continues to grow from strength to strength and the momentum builds! 

Our August newsletter went out early to coincide with the Democrats Abroad delegates' endorsement of Vice President Harris to be the Democratic Nominee for President of the United States. In case you missed that newsletter - including info on How to Vote from South Africa - you can read it HERE. 

This is a quick August Events Update:

It's Election Day in South Africa! 

Today couldn't be a more fitting day to reflect on the importance of democracy and how important our right to vote is - both in SA and the US. Many of us have taken it for granted in the US but voter suppression and the struggle for voting rights continues - and will only improve with Democratic leadership! 

You should have received our Africa Day email sent in collaboration with the Democrats Abroad Africa Committee and and we hope you acted on the nudge to both request your ballot and help us find other US Citizens across the continent. Please use every opportunity to serve as everyday voting ambassadors! 

Request Your Ballot & Reach Out Today 

No matter how disinterested, overwhelmed by choice or disgusted by the candidates people may feel, citizens in democratic societies should remember their obligation to vote. This exercise allows for governments, political parties and candidates to better understand the will of the people. From local, municipal, provincial and national levels, those serving must be guided by their constituents. If they are not happy with the government’s performance, their collective voice is heard through the ballot box.

1864. Need I say more? A law reinstated in Arizona from a time when women were treated like children, decisions controlling everything in their lives were made for them not by them. Do we honestly want America moving backwards?

While listening to a podcast about Arizona’s recent state supreme court abortion ruling, I found myself shouting in the car and quite upset. Then I remembered Obama’s favorite speech line: don’t boo - VOTE! And that reminds me why I am committed to Democrats Abroad. Our voices matter. And it is especially important in this election.

I can feel uninspired by politics at times– frankly frustrated too. But as Americans we are part of a democracy. If we are truly unhappy about an issue, we can do something about it. So think about the changes you want to see in our country, consider how your voice can make that change happen. Stay connected to Democrats Abroad’s wide range of activities that inform, educate, and motivate U.S. voters living abroad. 

Let's build community and get ready to vote in the Western Cape!  I'll be coming to the Western Cape next week and would love to meet you! We've organised two ...

It's March and the Primaries are here! We encourage you to request your 2024 overseas ballots now via www.votefromabroad.org/gpp <http://www.votefromabroad.org/gpp>. You can submit your FPCA (ballot request form) to your ...

AGM Minutes and Agenda 

Many of our members have already requested their 2024 overseas absentee ballots. Have you? Head to www.votefromabroad.org today or schedule it in your diary for the coming week. 

Request your ballots now so we’re ready for primaries and all 2024 elections!  Every state is different so please check your state’s processes and timeframes too.

The Democratic Presidential Primary season is about to get underway, and Democrats Abroad South Africa is bringing the primary to you!

Join us at our voting centre in Johannesburg (Sunninghill) on Sunday 10 March to cast your ballot in person in the Global Presidential Primary (GPP), Democrats Abroad’s presidential primary, or request your ballot and send it in via email or by postal mail (details below).