JANUARY 2026 NEWSLETTER
January 15, 2026–International Voter Registration Day
Request your ballot now. Be ready when Election Day arrives.
LIFE’S MOST PERSISTENT AND URGENT QUESTION IS, ‘WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR OTHERS?‘. " — DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR., CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST
Greetings! Start the year off right by requesting your absentee ballot!
January 15, 2026 is International Voter Registration Day — the perfect opportunity to get it done early. Don’t wait until deadlines are looming or life gets busy. You’ll be joining thousands of Americans around the world who are committed to making democracy stronger in 2026. Your vote is your voice. Don’t wait—be ready. TIme to register!
Request your absentee ballot now! Be ready! And request it as an overseas absentee voter, not from your local state-side voting office, because when you request an UOCAVA ballot you receive some special perks. Go to www.VoteFromAbroad.org.
The DAG Phonebanking Team needs you. This is a great way to Get Out The Vote!
What are you doing for others? Celebrate the MLK Day of Service by doing Voter Outreach–see how many people you can help request their absentee ballots. You could make it a week-end event starting on January 15th International Voter Registration Day and ending on January 19th, MLK Day-Perhaps your chapter is interested in organizing a group event or you can just do it alone! Let us know how you participated!
If you will be traveling to another country, the new ETIAS travel authorization system applies to those who do not have EU passports.
What to Know About European ETIAS Application and Fee
TSA PreCheck: Uniformed service members get free TSA PreCheck with their U.S. Department of Defense ID number, with no enrollment necessary as do Gold Star family members who’ve lost loved ones in military service. New DHS offer: buy one TSA PreCheck, get one for $15 for families.
'Unspeakable cruelty': Oath ceremonies canceled for immigrants on verge of gaining citizenship “It doesn’t reflect who we are as a country, and it’s horrible for the people who have been trying so desperately to be full community members in this country.”–Boston Mayor Michelle Wu
Do you recognize this country? What is happening to the welcoming spirit of the United States? Our country’s rules keep changing without following accepted procedures and without advance notice. We need everyone’s help to Get Out the Overseas Vote and restore the reputation of our country. Just recently a shopkeeper said that since the U.S. occupant of the White House changed, he no longer speaks English to customers.
‘Boston ICE Tea Party’ aims to ‘take down tyranny’ by throwing ice into Boston Harbor “Bostonians have always refused to bow down and have been a voice for the nation.” In honor of the Boston Tea Party’s 252nd anniversary …local activist groups are calling for Bostonians to recreate the historic protest as an act of resistance against immigration arrests and what they describe as tyranny.”
If you were in Vietnam, this article is very important: Agent Orange linked to rare blood cancer that develops over decades. “Researchers say the breakthrough could help veterans with the syndrome access benefits and services from the Department of Veterans Affairs.”
Our warmest greetings for a happy, healthy Democratic New Year! Communication is at the top of our 2026 list so we hope to hear from you-send us a quick message that you received this! We hope we will be able to get together in person for Voter Outreach!
As we start the New Year, let us take a moment to re-read President Jimmy Carter’s 2016 WSJ OpEd entitled U.S. Must Stand for Human Rights.
Resist with Democrats Abroad! Phonebanking volunteers needed!
And let us not forget how federal unions have been attacked when we vote in 2026! The twists and turns of Trump’s 2025 war on unions
With your help, we are looking forward to a BLUE Year!
Robert Scott and Terese Sarno
DAG VMF Caucus Co-Chairs DA Germany
What would you like to organize? Contact us at [email protected]
Ready to join our caucus? Be part of the conversation and make your voice heard!
Meeting with DA Italy VMF Caucus Chair
Michelle (DA Italy VMF Caucus Chair) and Terese (DA Germany VMF Caucus Co-Chair) had a great meeting and discussed ways to Get Out The Vote in military communities in Italy. If you have any contacts in Aviano, Vicenza, Naples, Sigonella–active duty, military families, Veterans and DoDEA teachers – please let us know. We would like to develop the Voter Outreach teams in these areas so we are ready for the upcoming elections. We also discussed the possibility of a collaborative online photo exhibit for Italy and Germany VMF Caucus members. Are you interested in participating? Let us know!
Democrats Abroad Germany
2026 Annual General Meeting
Listening, Leading, Looking Ahead
February 06, 2026 - February 08, 2026
Jugendherberge Berlin Ostkreuz Berlin 10317
CONTACT: DAG AGM Committee [email protected]
U.S. Citizen Living Abroad? You Can Vote!
Request Absentee Ballots for US Citizens
WHY YOU SHOULD USE VOTEFROMABROAD.ORG
Using VoteFromAbroad informs your Local Election Officer (LEO) that you are a US citizen living abroad. When you use VoteFromAbroad, you can sign your Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) electronically by capturing a photo of your signature; some states do not allow this. If your state allows electronic signature, your ballot will be automatically sent to your LEO. What could be easier?
VoteFromAbroad protects you under the Uniformed And Overseas Citizen Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA). You have certain rights that regular absentee voters do not. Your LEO will email your ballot to you no later than 45 calendar days before election day. When you return your ballot, most LEOs will notify you of its receipt by email. Many states allow you to return your ballot electronically. If you find there is no record of receipt of your ballot, you can then file a Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB). If your original ballot arrives, the FWAB will be spoiled and not counted. VoteFromAbroad has many volunteers to answer questions and provide any help needed. Request your ballot today at www.votefromabroad.org
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.
All voters abroad are urged to send in an FPCA and to vote the whole ballot they receive. Even if you currently do not have an election, the FPCA will ensure you are registered as an overseas (UOCAVA) voter, update your voter information, and protect you from voter roll purges.
AVOID INTERNATIONAL POSTAL MAIL DISRUPTIONS: You can ask to get your ballot by email/online delivery; many states will also allow you to return it electronically — but only if you are registered as an overseas (UOCAVA) voter! Go to www.VotefromAbroad.org!
RETURNING A BALLOT BY POSTAL MAIL? VOTE A BACKUP BALLOT! All voters abroad are urged to vote their ballot promptly and to return it right away. If your state requires that you return a ballot by postal mail, consider also voting a Backup Ballot (the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot or FWAB). The Backup Ballot is available only to overseas voters — think of it as insurance for your vote! If both ballots arrive, only one will be counted.
ELIGIBILITY: All US citizens abroad who will be 18 years of age or older by the upcoming election can register to vote and request an overseas absentee ballot in the state where they last resided (or where their US citizen parent last resided) by submitting a single streamlined application form, the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). It just takes a few minutes. Get everything you need at www.VotefromAbroad.org!
NEED HELP?
- Visit VotefromAbroad.org, check the FAQ, or use the online chat bubble.
- We’re available for live, online voter help (via Zoom). Click here to make an appointment. Email us at: [email protected]
- Register to vote / request a ballot from January 2026. In 2026, there will be 470 Federal elections in Congress – all 435 members of the House, plus ⅓ of the Senate, plus 2 additional Senate seats (FL & OH). Make sure you get all ballots for the year – primary and general elections, but also any special elections that may arise! Many states will also have critical state and local elections that their overseas voters can vote in. Need help or have questions? Go to www.VoteFromAbroad.org
UPCOMING ELECTIONS!
January 31, 2026–Texas 18 (Houston) Congressional District *
Runoff between two Democrats
February 3rd–Virginia Caroline County*
*Remember for all 2026 elections, overseas U.S. citizens must request an absentee ballot during the 2026 calendar year.
Go to www.VoteFromAbroad.org starting January 1, 2026.
Democrat wins Miami mayor's race for the first time in nearly 30 years
TAKE ACTION UPDATE!
TAKE ACTION! CONTACT YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at +1 (202) 224-3121. White House adds plaques below Biden and Obama portraits, calling them ‘the worst President in American history’ and ‘divisive’ Stop the unprofessional behavior of the current occupant of the White House. The Presidential Walk of Fame has been desecrated. The White House is the People’s House, not someone’s personal property.
TAKE ACTION! CONTACT YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at +1 (202) 224-3121. Statement on Senator Moreno’s Unconstitutional Citizenship Proposal https://www.democratsabroad.org/da_statement_on_moreno_bill
The bill, S.3283 titled Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025, has been referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Martha McDevitt-Pugh, Chair of Democrats Abroad, strongly condemns Moreno's bill: “Dual citizenship is not a threat - it’s an asset that reflects the reality of an interconnected world where Americans live, work, serve, and advocate for U.S. interests on a global scale. Questioning loyalty because a citizen possesses another passport is not just wrong; it’s an attack on the millions of Americans whose lives span borders and who contribute every day to the strength of the United States...The Fourteenth Amendment guarantees that all persons born or naturalized in the United States are citizens, and the Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed that this citizenship cannot be taken away by the government as a punishment or policy choice."
TAKE ACTION! CONTACT YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at +1 (202) 224-3121. Demand the return of the plaques that honor black Veterans in the Margraten American cemetery in the Netherlands. They have not yet been replaced after they were surreptitiously removed before Veterans Day! Memorial to Black US Soldiers Who Died in WW2 Quietly Removed
TAKE ACTION! Contact your Senators! After 900 Christmas packages for troops were returned, a Connecticut nonprofit’s fight sparks legislation
TAKE ACTION! CONTACT YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO PASS H.R.14 THE JOHN LEWIS VOTING RIGHTS ADVANCEMENT ACT.
Democrats try again to revive and expand the 1965 Voting Rights Act
Durbin, Warnock, Schumer Reintroduce John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act
NEWS YOU CAN USE
2026 Military Pay Chart 3.8% (All Pay Grades)
VA directs leaders to identify employees…who are not US citizens
Understanding VA Disability Benefits Overseas
How To File A VA Disability Claim
Download the VA Health and Benefits App
Congress calls for a crackdown on companies charging disabled vets
For customers living overseas: If the country you live in has an agreement with the U.S. Treasury Department, DFAS can deposit your payment in a financial institution in that country. You can establish international direct deposit to a bank in your country of residence using instructions available at https://www.dfas.mil/directdepintl.
If the country you live in does not have an agreement with the U.S. Treasury Department, you can open an account at a financial institution in the U.S. to receive an EFT and then transfer funds internationally. It is easy to open an account online at most U.S. financial institutions (https://fdic.gov/getbanked), and their webpages have instructions to assist you. Ensure the U.S. financial institution you choose can process international transfers to your overseas bank.
Information about retired military pay is available at https://www.dfas.mil/ret.
You may also contact a customer service representative at (317) 212-0551 or (800) 321-1080 (see operating hours on our website) for additional assistance.
DFAS-Kaiserslautern Military Community Contact (Kleber Kaserne): DFAS-Europe Ombudsman: Ms. Kenya N.Taylor [email protected] +49 (0)631-710-68805 or +1 (317) 435-8478
JANUARY EVENTS
JANUARY is
National Stalking Awareness Month
National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month
January 1 – Request your absentee ballots for 2026. All overseas U.S. citizens must do this each calendar year. Why should you use VFA instead of your home voting office? Using VoteFromAbroad informs your Local Election Officer (LEO) that you are a US resident living abroad. When you use VoteFromAbroad, you can sign your Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) electronically by capturing a photo of your signature. (Some states do not allow this.) VoteFromAbroad protects you under the Uniformed And Overseas Citizen Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA). You have certain rights that regular absentee voters do not have. Your LEO will email your ballot to you no later than 45 calendar days before election day. When you return your ballot, most LEOs will notify you of its receipt by email. Many states allow you to return your ballot electronically. If you find there is no record of receipt of your ballot, you can then file a Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB). If your original ballot arrives, the FWAB will not be counted. You won’t vote twice. Request your ballot today.
January 8 – 91st anniversary of the birth of Elvis Presley, U.S. Army Veteran
January 9 – National Day of Mourning for former President Jimmy Carter
January 11 – National Human Trafficking Awareness Day
January 15 – International Voter Registration Day
To ensure that U.S. citizens residing overseas can easily participate in the electoral process, VoteFromAbroad.org provides information and assistance for voter registration. This initiative helps citizens worldwide to participate in the U.S. elections.
January 15, 1870–The first appearance of Democratic Party donkey to symbolize the Democratic Party in America appeared in a cartoon in Harper's Weekly.
January 19 –Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Martin Luther King, Jr., National Day of Service
January 22, 1973 - Abortion became legal in the U.S. when the Supreme Court announced its decision in the case of Roe vs. Wade striking down local state laws restricting abortions in the first six months of pregnancy.
June 28, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade decision (6-3 vote).
January 27 – International Holocaust Remembrance Day
January 31 – Texas 18 (Houston) Congressional District
Runoff between two Democrats
Upcoming DA Activities
SUPPORT DA GERMANY’s GOTV EFFORTS!
Your monetary donations to Democrats Abroad Germany are used to organize and get out the vote among Americans in Germany. Request your absentee ballot for 2026.
