We're kicking off Women's History Month with a screening of a paradigm-shifting documentary about reproductive rights. Join us for My So-Called Selfish Life, written and directed by Therese Shechter. Therese will join us via Zoom for a Q&A following the film.

In this documentary, award-winning filmmaker Therese Shechter examines the decision not to become a mother, as well as the broader challenges to reproductive rights in the United States. It's not just about being child-free, but also about achieving and maintaining reproductive autonomy.

This film will be screened in the Marshall Building at London School of Economics in central London. Live ticket holders should join us there at 6:15PM. The film will be followed by a Q&A with Therese via Zoom.

For those who can't attend in person, we offer a remote streaming option that allows you to watch at your convenience. You can join the discussion with Therese via Zoom at 7:45PM on March 1. This discussion will take place following the live screening at LSE.

Join Democrats Abroad UK (DAUK) for this special hybrid (in-person and online) event to discuss the basics of US tax filing requirements for Americans living in the UK. The aim of this event is to educate you on your basic tax filing obligations and commonly asked tax questions such as:

• When is the tax filing deadline for Americans living outside the US?
• How much do I need to earn to file?
• Can I open a UK pension as a US citizen?
• Do I have to pay capital gains tax to the IRS when I sell my UK home?
• How much do I have to earn in order to be double taxed?
• Do I get double taxed if I'm self-employed in the UK or have a UK Limited Company?

This event is for you if:

• you just moved to the UK from the US and you're unsure of your tax obligations
• you haven't filed for decades
• you're scared to face your tax filing obligation or don't know what questions to ask to get started
• you've filed for years but you're not sure if you're doing it right, or
• you've filed every year but you've wanted a straightforward answer for a specific issue

Speakers:

• Migle Kuzmaite, US Tax Lead @ MyExpatTaxes
• Liz Zitzow, MD @ British American Tax
• More TBC

Agenda:

• 6:30pm Doors open
• 7:00pm Start and introductions
• 7:10pm Speaker presentations
• 7:45pm Panel discussion
• 8:00pm Q&A
• 8:30pm Networking with speakers
• 9:00pm End

Attendees are asked to please pre-submit any questions you have by emailing [email protected]. The more questions we get in advance, the better we can prepare and shape the program around the things you want to learn about the most!

The fine print:

• No refunds are available.
• In-person seating is limited in capacity so please only purchase an in-person ticket if you are able to attend. Otherwise, please purchase a webinar ticket.
• If you have booked an in-person ticket and can no longer attend in-person, you can transfer your ticket to attend online or to receive the recording. In this case, please email [email protected] to request a ticket transfer. You must do this at least 24 hours in advance as in-person seating capacity is limited and there could be a waitlist for in-person tickets.
• For those unable to attend in person or online on this date, you have the option to purchase an on-demand ticket to view the recording after the event takes place.
• For those attending in person, no food or drink will be served. You are welcome to bring a bottle of water for your own personal consumption. Please eat before arriving. Food is not allowed inside the lecture theatre.
• We can't guarantee we will be able to answer all questions submitted before, during, or after the event, but we will try to answer as many questions as possible. Speakers are encouraged to network with attendees after the panel discussion but, we can't guarantee you will be able to meet with specific speakers.
• Democrats Abroad UK follows LSE's on-campus COVID measures for this event.
• This event is closed to the press.

Please email [email protected] to be added to the mailing list to keep up to date with events and actions from the DAUK Tax Committee.

Disclaimer: Democrats Abroad UK cannot provide individual tax advice. We are not tax lawyers, accountants or advisers. Please consult a professional tax adviser/accountant/return preparer when addressing your personal tax matters.

We recommend the IRS Tax Return Preparer Directory to find a service provider who meets your needs and budget, though buyers need always beware. Democrats Abroad UK suggests Americans abroad in need of tax advice consult the IRS Tax Return Preparer Directory to find an advisor or tax return preparer near you or providing online services: https://irs.treasury.gov/rpo/rpo.jsf

The DAUK Nominations and Elections Committee (NEC) is excited to announce that we have several candidates running for office in the 2023 DAUK Leadership election.

The DAUK Nominations and Elections Committee is hosting three Town Halls in March to give candidates a chance to introduce themselves to DAUK voters and speak about their aspirations in serving our organization.

In the 2023 Democrats Abroad UK leadership election our members will elect multiple positions, including: Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, 8 At-Large Executive Committee Members, 21 DPCA Voting Representatives, 12 DPCA Non-voting Representatives (i.e. alternates) and the DAUK Council. At the Elections Meeting on April 16 DAUK will announce who has been elected.

The three Town Halls are scheduled as follows:

• March 16 for DPCA Voting Representatives RSVP below
• March 23  for the 8 Executive Committee Members-at-Large RSVP HERE
• March 30 for the 4 Officers Positions (Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer and Secretary) RSVP HERE

If you cannot make the hustings the NEC will provide means for candidates to submit statements and for voters to watch a recording of the events. 

If you have any questions, or need help nominating a candidate, please email [email protected]. 

The DAUK Nominations and Elections Committee (NEC) is excited to announce that we have several candidates running for office in the 2023 DAUK Leadership election.

The DAUK Nominations and Elections Committee is hosting three Town Halls in March to give candidates a chance to introduce themselves to DAUK voters and speak about their aspirations in serving our organization.

In the 2023 Democrats Abroad UK leadership election our members will elect multiple positions, including: Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, 8 At-Large Executive Committee Members, 21 DPCA Voting Representatives, 12 DPCA Non-voting Representatives (i.e. alternates) and the DAUK Council. At the Elections Meeting on April 16 DAUK will announce who has been elected.

The three Town Halls are scheduled as follows:

• March 16 for DPCA Voting Representatives RSVP HERE
• March 23  for the 8 Executive Committee Members-at-Large RSVP HERE
• March 30 for the 4 Officers Positions (Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer and Secretary) RSVP below

If you cannot make the hustings the NEC will provide means for candidates to submit statements and for voters to watch a recording of the events. 

If you have any questions, or need help nominating a candidate, please email [email protected].

The DAUK Nominations and Elections Committee (NEC) is excited to announce that we have several candidates running for office in the 2023 DAUK Leadership election.

The DAUK Nominations and Elections Committee is hosting three Town Halls in March to give candidates a chance to introduce themselves to DAUK voters and speak about their aspirations in serving our organization.

In the 2023 Democrats Abroad UK leadership election our members will elect multiple positions, including: Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, 8 At-Large Executive Committee Members, 21 DPCA Voting Representatives, 12 DPCA Non-voting Representatives (i.e. alternates) and the DAUK Council. At the Elections Meeting on April 16 DAUK will announce who has been elected.

The three Town Halls are scheduled as follows:

• March 16 for DPCA Voting Representatives RSVP HERE
• March 23  for the 8 Executive Committee Members-at-Large RSVP below
• March 30 for the 4 Officers Positions (Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer and Secretary) RSVP HERE

If you cannot make the hustings the NEC will provide means for candidates to submit statements and for voters to watch a recording of the events. 

If you have any questions, or need help nominating a candidate, please email [email protected]. 

Feeling lost or overwhelmed about filing your IRS tax return this year?

Join us for a consumer focused Zoom webinar on How to Survive Tax Day as an American Abroad!

WHEN: Wednesday, January 11th from 1:30-2:30pm EST view your time zone

$10 General Admission / $5 Concessions. Recording available. All proceeds go to Democrats Abroad

Scroll to the bottom for tickets

The aim of this event is to help you feel more confident going into filing your US tax return this year. Presented by Rebecca Lammers, Chair of the Democrats Abroad Taxation Task Force. This is a consumer focused webinar to help you save money on your tax preparation costs.

This session is for Americans abroad/U.S. citizens/dual citizens/expats who:

• Aren’t happy with your accountant and want to switch
• File yourself but you're not sure if you're doing it right
• Filed when you first moved abroad but haven't done it for a while and need to get back on top of filing
• Haven’t filed since you moved abroad
• Just moved abroad and don’t know how to start
• Just learned you’re supposed to file and want to get caught up

Topics discussed in the session will include:

• The Taxpayer Bill of Rights
• Deciding between filing yourself, using a tax preparation software, or hiring an accountant
• The difference between an EA, CPA, and tax attorney
• How to spend $0 to file your own taxes
• How to get free tax prep if you're a 50+ senior
• How to find an accountant
• How to keep your tax prep costs as low as possible
• What to do if you don’t know how to get started
• How to contact the IRS and communicate with them

Ticket proceeds go to Democrats Abroad, feel free to donate additional recording tickets to bump up your donation!

The fine print:

• No refunds are available.
• We can't guarantee we will be able to answer all questions submitted before, during, or after the event, but we will try to answer as many questions as possible.
• This event is closed to the press.

Please click here to add yourself to the Democrats Abroad Taxation Task Force mailing list to keep up to date with the actions and upcoming events.

Disclaimer: Democrats Abroad cannot provide individual tax advice. We are not tax lawyers, accountants or advisers. Please consult a professional tax adviser/accountant/return preparer when addressing your personal tax matters.

We recommend the IRS Tax Return Preparer Directory to find a service provider who meets your needs and budget, though buyers need always beware. Democrats Abroad suggests Americans abroad in need of tax advice consult the IRS Tax Return Preparer Directory to find an advisor or tax return preparer near you or providing online services: https://irs.treasury.gov/rpo/rpo.jsf

This is a midterm election year — all 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 of the 100 Senate seats, and 39 gubernatorial seats are up for grabs in November. U.S. citizens have the right to vote in primary and general elections, no matter where in the world they live! If you're a U.S. citizen, dual-national, or will be 18 on or before November 8, 2022, you have the right to vote from abroad in US elections — including in the November 2022 midterms!

As a U.S. citizen, you can register to vote from abroad while living, working, or traveling overseas by submitting one form — the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). It doesn't matter if you were registered to vote before you left the U.S., how long you’ve lived outside the U.S., or if you've never resided in the U.S. at all. You have the right to vote!

The U.S. State Department recommends, “all U.S. citizens living abroad complete and submit a new Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) annually, to ensure you remain on your state’s voter rolls and to ensure your local election office has your up-to-date contact information.” Vote From Abroad provides all the information, forms, and support help in one place to make voting easy!

📌  Please note that there is NO IN-PERSON VOTING in the United Kingdom for the November election! 📌

✭ ✭ ✭ In 2022, voters from these states must mail in their ballots. Vote as soon as you get yours! Don't wait to return it! ✭ ✭ ✭

 Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Go to www.votefromabroad.org/states for specific  details

✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭

What's covered on this page: 

1. Registering to vote and requesting your ballot

2. Confirming your request has been accepted

3. Receiving your ballot

4. Oct 1 and the ballot hasn’t arrived? 

5. Voting your ballot

6. Returning your ballot

7. Checking twice to prevent mistakes

8. Confirming your ballot's arrival

9. What to do if you encounter difficulties

10. Getting your "I Voted from UK" Stickers 

✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭

1. Registering to vote and requesting your ballot for the 2022 midterm elections

The first step is to request your ballot, and if need be, register to vote from abroad. You should do this every election year to ensure you remain on your state’s overseas voter rolls and to ensure your local election office has your up-to-date contact information. It’s important to register as an absentee voter from abroad because the ballots of US citizens voting from abroad have special protections and are different from the standard absentee ballot. 

Go to votefromabroad.org to fill out your Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) absentee ballot request — it takes 5-10 minutes! If you're not registered to vote, the FPCA also serves as a voter registration form. Choose the option to receive ballots by email.

The second step is to submit the FPCA absentee ballot request form to your local election office in the United States. Most states allow you to submit your FPCA directly from votefromabroad.org without the need to print it out. But some states require that you submit your completed form by email attachment, fax, or postal mail. State deadlines and submission methods can be found here.

If you have any questions while filling out your request form, go to the Vote from Abroad FAQ section or type your question in the website's chatbox (red circle in the bottom right-hand corner of each screen). Or you can email us at [email protected] 

2. Confirming your request has been accepted  ✅

After submitting your FPCA absentee ballot request form, call or email your Local Election Official (LEO) to confirm they have received it and will be sending your ballot. Your LEO's contact information is listed in the instructions generated when you fill out your FPCA form at Vote from Abroad. You can also look up their contact info here. 

Most states provide a website where you can verify your voter status. To find your state's website, click here and scroll down to “Where Is My Ballot?"

3. Receiving your ballot 📬

Your overseas absentee ballot is not your standard absentee ballot back home! Thanks to the MOVE Act, all states must send FPCA-requested  absentee ballots to overseas voters no later than 45 days before a federal election — this year that’s September 24, 2022. 

And, if requested, all states must send overseas voters their ballot by email.

You don't need to wait for ballots to arrive on September 24. If you're worried your ballot won't arrive on time, send in a Backup Ballot NOW. The Backup Ballot (Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot or FWAB) is specifically for overseas voters who are concerned they won't receive their official ballot in time to return it by the deadline. All details about the Backup Ballot can be found here.

4. Your ballot hasn’t arrived? 📭

Check your spam folder. Still no ballot? Contact your local election official here and confirm they’ve sent your ballot to you. Go to votefromabroad.org if you need to send in a new FPCA absentee ballot request form.

If you haven’t received your ballot by early October and your state requires postal mail return, we recommend you send in a Backup Ballot to make sure your vote gets to your state in time. All details about the Backup Ballot can be found here.

5. Voting your ballot 🗳️

It’s easy to get informed about candidates, ballot initiatives, and judicial candidates and important to vote your ballot completely. State and local races are critical in 2022! 

The simplest way is to vote for Democrats straight down the ballot. Some elected positions do not list a party affiliation, like school boards, judges, and others. To determine who to vote for in those cases, you can do the following: 

• Google your county's local Democratic Party
• Go to the League of Women Voters personalized ballot service 
• Go to Ballotpedia - Example: google “Ballotpedia Arizona elections 2022”
• Google the candidate's name to find their campaign website

6. There are lots of ways to return your ballot! 

📌 Remember! Only use a mail service if you cannot return your ballot electronically 📌

Ballot return methods – by email, online, postal mail, fax – vary by state. Always return your ballot as quickly as possible, but especially if your state only allows postal mail return. Find your state's exact ballot return methods here.

If your state allows email, online upload or fax  for ballot return, please use these options as they’re not subject to delay! Here is more information on fax submission.

If your state requires postal mail return, see info below on options from Austria.

New Jersey Voters: Please note that New Jersey allows for email or fax returns, but requires that the ballot ALSO be sent by postal mail.

New York Voters: Here are instructions on How to fold the New York State General Election ballot.

➡ International Postal Service:  

If your state requires postal mail ballot return, one option is to use express international mail from the Austrian Postal Service. Please remember mail service can be slow and send your ballot as soon as possible!

You should – and some states require you – to ask for a postmark or date stamp to be placed on the outer envelope. Find out your state’s requirements here. 

➡ The U.S. Embassy/Consulate diplomatic pouch: The U.S. Embassy in UK requests that ballots sent by the diplomatic post be dropped off no later than four weeks before the ballot due date. You will need to place your ballots in a U.S. postage paid return envelopes (usually provided with your ballot) or in envelopes bearing sufficient U.S. postage. You can download a free U.S. postage-paid return envelope template at FVAP.gov.

Please be aware that using the diplomatic pouch does not mean your ballot will arrive faster. It can take up to four weeks for the mail to reach its final destination. Use a Back-up Ballot to make the diplomatic pouch deadline if your regular ballot hasn’t arrived. Find out more here.

The U.S. Embassy in the United Kingdom is available here: https://uk.usembassy.gov

Specific voter information here: https://uk.usembassy.gov/your-vote-counts

➡ Courier Service:

If your state requires postal mail ballot return, the quickest option is to use a courier service.

Even with expedited courier services though, ballots still take several days to get to the United States. Please send your ballot as soon as possible! Do not wait! You should – and some states require you – ask for a postmark or date stamp to be placed on the outer envelope. Find out your state’s requirements here. We do not recommend booking or paying online with any courier service. You will not receive a postmark if you book or pay online.

Please do not use an online booking service if your state requires a postmark to be on the outside envelope AND your ballot might arrive close to or after Nov 8! Find out your state’s requirements here.

📌 Remember! Only use a mail service if you cannot return your ballot electronically 📌

7. Checking twice to prevent mistakes 👀

When filling out and packaging your ballot, don't forget to review the instructions carefully. Don't let human error spoil your ballot!

Regardless of how you send in your ballot, remember that you – the voter – must be the one who places it “in the mail.” In some states, it is unlawful for any other person to handle your voted ballot, even if it is sealed. Unsure? Find out your state’s requirements here. 

8. Confirming your ballot's arrival at your local election office in the United States ✓✓

Once you've sent your ballot, follow up with your local election official to make sure that it arrived and will be counted. Please do not just assume that your ballot has made it! 

The easiest way to ensure your ballot has arrived is to go to "Track Your Ballot" on your state’s website. You can also look up your local election office's contact details here and contact them directly. They may be experiencing a high volume of calls, so you may need to be persistent to get through to someone.

9. Having trouble? Need help? 😕

We understand that the voting process to some states can be confusing — that's why we're here to help! Send us an email at  [email protected] or contact [email protected]

10. Get your "I Voted from United Kingdom" sticker

Thank you for voting!  If you would like to print an “I Voted from United Kingdom” sticker go here.

Scroll down and click on the dates below to RSVP and get connection details and reminders.

Did you know every eligible American living abroad can vote in U.S. elections? 

Was the last place you or your parent lived in the US the state of Georgia?

If you are 18 on or before January 5th you are allowed to vote in the runoff election. 

Do you have questions about how to vote? Click the chat bubble at the bottom of this screen and we can help you find the answers. 

But we get it. Sometimes you just want to speak to live person. 

Join us Tuesday & Thursday (noon-4pm January 5th & 7th. All time are listed as U.S. Eastern time. Our volunteers and standing by LIVE on Zoom to help answers questions you have about voting from abroad and curing your ballot.

How is it done on Zoom? You'll come into the main room and be paired 1:1 with a volunteer into a breakout room to ensure privacy and that you can get all your questions answered. It couldn't be easier. 

More information: The easiest way to request your ballot is at VoteFromAbroad.org. It takes just a few minutes to complete and send in your form to the US state where you last lived. The website will guide you step by step. In most cases it’s pretty simple. But if you’re new to voting abroad, or if you haven’t done it in a while, you may have additional questions. That’s why we’ll be here every Sunday until election day to help.

If you can’t make the 'office hours', you can always email us at [email protected] or send in your question through our online help bubble, and a volunteer will get back to you.

Here is a handy website to convert the time zone to yours wherever you are in the world.

Zoom Connection Details:

Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/91090344003
Meeting number: 910 9034 4003
PassWord: Vote2020

Tuesday & Thursday: Noon-4pm (U.S. Eastern)
January 5th and 7th