SEPTEMBER 2025 NEWSLETTER
“I urge political leaders across the country to take immediate steps to expand vote-by-mail and other measures that can help protect the core of American democracy – the right of our citizens to vote.” President Jimmy Carter
Statement from the Carter Center (2020) promoting vote by mail: https://www.cartercenter.org/news/pr/2020/united-states-050620.html
Greetings! Our Democrats Abroad International Chair Martha McDevitt-Pugh is urging us to take action to defend our vote! Call your Governor and Secretary of State to demand they reject Trump’s unconstitutional order and protect mail-in voting. DA has prepared calling scripts, contact directories, and a sample social media post to make it easy for you to take action. Read our Take Action guide here
We must do all we can to encourage our elected leaders to do what they can to protect our vote! And remember, the right to vote affects all U.S. citizens.
Can a president eliminate mail-in voting by executive order?
Trump wants to stop states from voting by mail and using voting machines
We have an invitation you can't refuse! Join us at the Swinging Lautern Festival in Kaiserslautern on Saturday, September 6th at 12 noon where we will do Voter Outreach while we enjoy the great atmosphere of Kaiserslautern’s biggest Annual Festival! Plan to meet at the Schillerplatz in Kaiserslautern near the stage, Stage Left (hopefully)! Look for the DA/VFA Bling! Decorate a hat with Vote From Abroad signs–make a banner so you'll stand out as we mingle! Wear your treasured DA GOTV memorabilia! Make an “Americans Can Vote Wherever They Are!” sign. Since we will not be on U.S. government property, we can be partisan and spread the DA message! Enjoy the sounds of the Big Bands as we Spread the VFA Word! RSVP or just show up!
While it is always wonderful to see cultural institutions featured prominently in mainstream publications, the current focus on the Smithsonian institutions which follows the total revamping of the Kennedy Center administration and programming, the banning of DEI programs everywhere, the banning of certain books in DoD schools and the attempts to totally control America’s universities, only highlights the obsession of the current occupant of the White House to control the American past and mold future generations of Americans to follow an un-American way of seeing the world.
America’s citizens are bright and they do appreciate how the past affects the future thanks to the education they have been able to experience but that now is in jeopardy for future generations. The comment that America isn’t bright enough seems to have been worked on by all the bling that is smothering the Oval Office! (Be sure to put on your sunglasses before you view any of those photos!)
Our American Freedoms are rapidly disappearing with the censorship being imposed by the White House that aims to mold the minds of future generations by taking away Freedom of Choice, along with the Freedom to Vote, and so many more! Letter to the Smithsonian: Internal Review of Smithsonian Exhibitions and Materials
Want to be more active? The big question is: What can you do now to GET OUT THE VOTE in November as well as in the special September election in Virginia? GOTV can always use your help! Join the Phonebanking team! We need to make sure that the overseas vote makes a difference in the fall elections–Arizona, New Jersey, Virginia, Texas, Pennsylvania, Kentucky are the major hot spots but there are other elections up and down that ballot that need our support! We need to make our voices heard especially in this climate that is threatening overseas voters. Live phonebanking training sessions start in September. New callers can join the phonebanking team by watching the training video anytime on https://www.democratsabroad.org/phonebanking_training while returning callers can find information at https://www.democratsabroad.org/phonebanking
Will every DAG member vote in the November 4th elections? These elections are crucial to preserving Democracy! Have you requested your absentee ballot? Return it immediately! Let’s rise to the challenge!
TWO LEADERSHIP RETREATS IN OCTOBER OPEN TO ALL DAG MEMBERS:
–DA Germany Fall Leadership Retreat, October 17-19 in Halle an der Salle, Germany. All DA Germany members are encouraged to attend! Registration now open.
–EMEA Region Leadership Retreat, October 10-12 in Brussels. For more information, visit the Retreat Event site. To RSVP, visit the Registration Page here.
The retreat, Breakthrough ‘26: A Blueprint for a Way Forward, will prepare EMEA leaders and super-volunteers for the challenges we need to meet and overcome leading up to the 2026 midterms. We’ll be developing shared best practice and seeking to expand ways to collaborate across the region, making our efforts easier and more powerful. Workshops and sessions will focus on:
Breaking-Up with familiar, but less-effective, practices.
Breaking-Through by building execution plans, and
Breaking-In approaches to implementing solutions.
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!
TAKE ACTION UPDATE!
Your action resulted in positive results with the Discharge Petition! The Federal Education Association reports that they Won the Preliminary Injunction in their lawsuit against DoDEA. Here is the Opinion Granting the Preliminary Injunction and the Preliminary Injunction Order, along with a document explaining what has been happening. The Judge found that DoDEA acted too soon, as if Executive Order 14251 was already in place, when they broke their agreements with FEA and took away the time union leaders needed to do their jobs. The Judge’s order stops DoDEA from continuing these actions and requires them to return to the way things were before these changes, including: Restoring official time for union leaders, Honoring the collective bargaining agreements, Respecting FEA's rights to represent members under the law. The lawsuit continues since this is not the final decision so keep contacting your members of Congress!
TAKE ACTION! CONTACT YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS NOT TO SUPPORT H. R. 4715 that would rename The Kennedy Center. The Trump announcement said in part: "GREAT Nominees for the TRUMP/KENNEDY CENTER, whoops, I mean, KENNEDY CENTER, AWARDS," which alludes to a bill in Congress that would rename the performing arts venue after him.
Do you have another issue you want to discuss with your Reps?
Contact your Members of Congress. Let them hear from you so they can’t say their constituents never contact them. Make contacting them part of your daily schedule! Be sure to let them know how important voting rights are and there should be no change in the Voting Rights law–in fact it should be enhanced! Especially remind them that U.S. citizens overseas have a right to all American freedoms including the right to vote. In fact, all states should allow ballots to be returned by email or in a website portal. Arrival of mailed ballots can never be guaranteed and if the ballots are sent by courier, it costs a fortune. Let your members of Congress know that some countries don’t even have international mail service. Electronic delivery is needed! Some states like Kentucky and Florida block access to their voting information websites if you are not in the U.S. This prevents overseas residents from getting up to date information on their home state elections which infringes upon their rights to participate in their government.
Check with all your American friends, in Europe and the U.S., to see if they have received their ballots– and if they have mailed them back! If you are near a U.S. Consulate or Embassy, greet Americans outside these government buildings. Ask them if they have received their ballots and if they haven’t, assist them right there!
If you are on a U.S. base, offer to help the VAO with a last minute push to register U.S. citizens using FVAP.
If there are U.S. companies in your city, check with them to see if you could help their U.S. citizen employees request their absentee ballots and assist them with any problems that may arise!
Contact your members of Congress for free. Visit democracy.io.
5 Calls: The 5 Calls app and website (5calls.org) provides scripts and contact information for your elected officials on pressing issues.
Capitol Switchboard: You can call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at
+1 (202) 224-3121. Ask to be connected to your specific Representative's office.
Georgia Voter? Georgia is conducting a major purge of its voter rolls in the summer of 2025. State officials have begun the process of removing approximately 478,000 “inactive” voters. Check your voter registration status today! mvp.sos.ga.gov
QUESTIONS? Email [email protected] or [email protected]
UPCOMING ELECTIONS
NJ STATE ELECTIONS - Ballot may be emailed, received by November 4, 8pm (mail at same time as sent email but no deadline for receipt). If ballot sent by mail only, it must be postmarked by November 4 & received by November 10.
TX-18 SPECIAL CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION - Nov. 4th Service members, eligible family members, and overseas citizens can register up until October 6, 2025-special provisions for military and overseas voters. All others must mail. If mailed from within US, received by November 4, 7pm. Request an absentee ballot up until October 24. Ballot may be faxed only from hostile fire areas. Voted absentee ballot must be returned by mail or fax. Contact the election office to verify the status of voting materials. If mailed from outside the US, it must be postmarked by November 4 & received by November 10. Your Guide to Voting in Texas
PA STATE ELECTIONS - Only intend to return may vote. Ballot must be signed & mailed by November 3 & received by November 12.
VA STATE ELECTIONS - Ballot must be mailed; postmarked Nov 4 & received by Nov 7
September 9, 2025-Virginia CD11, Virginia voters in the 11th Congressional Districts must return their voted absentee ballot by mail by September 9, 2025. Detailed instructions and county contact information are available at (Virginia) fvap.gov. Verify the status of your voting materials by contacting the election office directly.
ARIZONA SPECIAL GENERAL ELECTION in U.S. Congressional District 7: Arizona–Federal Election Deadlines–September 23, 2025 7 PM Return voted absentee ballot by mail, email, online (Uniformed and Overseas Citizen Portal*), or fax. Verify the status of your voting materials by contacting your election office directly. Uniformed and Overseas Citizen Portal: HOW TO OBTAIN A MILITARY AND OVERSEAS BALLOT
Use the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to register, request a ballot, and update any contact information by using the completion tool available at fvap.gov/FPCA or by using the fillable PDF version. After completing the FPCA, voters must print, sign, and send it to their local election office.
If a requested ballot has not arrived, use the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB) at fvap.gov/FWAB as a backup ballot. To make sure your voted ballot is received, go to FVAP.gov, select Arizona, Virginia or Texas from the menu and click "check the status of your voted ballot". We’re here to help you vote! Using the Emergency Back Up Ballot-Vote with Federal Write-in Ballot
SEPTEMBER CALENDAR & EVENTS
September is National Suicide Prevention Month
National Service Dog Month, Union Appreciation Month
September 1 – Labor Day Thank the labor unions, workers and labor leaders for ensuring a 40-hour workweek, sick leave, and vacation time.
How times have changed! Just a year ago the U.S. Department of Labor inducted 9 Labor Unions into its Century of Service Honor Roll of American Labor Organizations!
September 2 – V-J Day (Victory over Japan)
September 9 – Virginia Special Election 11thCongressional District
September 10 – World Suicide Prevention Day 2025
September 11 – Patriot Day
September 15 – National POW/MIA Recognition Day
September 17 – Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
September 17-23 – Constitution Week “It is every American’s right and obligation to read and interpret the Constitution for himself.”— Thomas Jefferson
September 18 – Air Force (USAF) Birthday
September 18 – Air National Guard Birthday
September 23 – Arizona Special Election U.S.Representative in Congress - District 7
September 24 – Gold Star Mother’s Day and Family Day
September 24-National Voter Registration Day Register to vote to combat terrorism
September 29 – VFW Day
Upcoming DA Activities
NEWS YOU CAN USE
Trump says he has ‘the right to do anything I want,’ … pushing ‘dictator’ claims
When an authoritarian president claims he has unlimited powers to deploy National Guard troops, that’s a problem.
Trump pledges effort to eliminate mail-in voting
FactChecking Claims…Mail-In Ballots, Voting Machines, States' Role
Can you mount an art exhibition about race in the age of Trump?
…art is “a way for us to understand the world through someone else’s experiences. Through exhibitions like this…Every story matters, and art gives us a voice in a world where we have too often been silenced.”
DOD extends pilot health care program for civilians in Japan; dependents still excluded
American Service Fellowship | Harvard Kennedy School
Fully funded fellowship to Harvard Kennedy School for public servants
SUPPORT DA GERMANY’s GOTV EFFORTS
Your monetary donations to Democrats Abroad Germany stay here and are used exclusively to organize and get out the vote among Americans. Request your absentee ballot for 2025. All overseas U.S. citizens must do this every calendar year