Since the start of 2018, the DAUK voter registration team has been very busy, holding drives at Arcadia, University College London, SOAS University, Queen Mary University, Canary Wharf, Cadogan Hall, Fordham University Study Abroad, New York University Study Abroad, Foundation International Education, Richmond University, Facebook, women’s clubs, international schools and several DAUK events. We’ve also held three training sessions for new volunteers and supplemented our efforts with social media, an effective way to steer citizens to votefromabroad.org.

More drives are in the works, and we’re gearing up for even more in the fall, when all study abroad students will need absentee ballots for the general election on November 6. However, we need help finding new locations and getting access to some old ones, where our contacts have moved on (London School of Economics and Kings College, to name two). We also want to reach out to many more American alumni associations. If you can help, write gotv@democratsabroad.org.uk. Huge thanks goes to the entire DAUK Voter Registration Team!

Several hundred members convened Sunday 19 March to elect a new slate of officers to lead DAUK.  Those standing for the four officer positions addressed the group, followed by a vote via a show of hands.  The Executive Committee and Voting Representatives to the Democratic Party Committee Abroad were elected via ballot.  Others were elected to the Council by acclimation.

Election results:  

Executive Committee

Bill Barnard

Christa Bosch

Elaine Capizzi

Richelle David

Eric Lee

Robert Platt

Karin Robinson

Susan Schoenfeld Harrington

Voting Representatives to the Democratic Party Committee Abroad 

Kira Brenner

Siera Burtrum

Tasia Campbell

Carol Grose

Melissa Ocampo

Bill Barnard

Alan Cheilek

Larry Sanders

Joshua Van der Ploeg

David Wenk

We may be an ocean away from the U.S.A, but there are still many ways we can get involved and make a political difference. DAUK invites you to join our new state committees project, which will focus on voter outreach and engagement on a state-by-state basis. 

Space for our March 9 meeting for the first states, Virginia and New Jersey, is now full, but additional state committees will follow. 

State committees will conduct research, manage voter outreach, plan events, and develop social media and communications plans. We are looking for leaders who want to make a difference and play a part in shaping the future of our nation. State committees are going to play a crucial role in getting out the vote in the midterm elections in 2018. Now is the time to get organized! If you would like to get involved, please email states@democratsabroad.org.uk.

The Democrats Abroad UK leadership elections will be held on Sunday, March 19, 2017 at 1:30 PM at Lecture Theatre B34, Basement floor, Birkbeck College Main Building, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HX.

The list of candidates can be viewed at: https://www.dropbox.com/s/8h9m8yt12lkb7kp/CL17.pdf?dl=0

Candidates’ personal statements can be viewed at: https://www.dropbox.com/s/shkjp6p3xptlz26/PS17.pdf?dl=0

It is very important that those who plan to attend RSVP at: https://dauk2017bgm.eventbrite.co.uk

To be eligible for election or to vote in the leadership elections, you must have joined Democrats Abroad UK on or before January 31, 2017 and remain a member on all dates up to and including March 19, 2017.

The Elections Committee has contacted those candidates whose details we did not find on the membership list from the close of January 31, 2017. Following these queries, one person withdrew their nomination form. We are still awaiting a response from one candidate and hope to resolve the issue of their eligibility before the elections.

Democrats Abroad UK (DAUK) will hold it Annual General Meeting, Biennial General Meeting and leadership elections on at 1.30pm on Sunday March 19th 2017. If you want to be a candidate, then you should complete and submit this online form by February 19th 2017 so that your candidacy and statement may be circulated to the membership in advance of the meeting.

Please follow this link for further information about the positions to be elected. Follow this link for further guidance about the elections process.

The meeting will be at Lecture Theatre B34, Basement floor, Birkbeck College Main Building, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HX. 

If you have any questions email: elections@democratsabroad.org.uk

To be eligible to vote in the Democrats Abroad UK (DAUK) leadership election in March-- you must be a member of Democrats Abroad UK as of January 31st of this year.  The deadline is approaching so don’t hesitate—it’s a quick on-line process.

Democrats Abroad UK (DAUK) will hold a general meeting with its biennial leadership elections at 1.30pm on Sunday March 19th 2017 at Lecture Theatre B34, Basement floor, Birkbeck College Main Building, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HX. At this meeting we will elect new officers for each of the 4 Officer positions set out in the Bylaws (Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer), as well as Voting Representatives to the Democratic Committee Abroad, the Executive Committee, and the Council.

Those who wish to be candidates are asked to complete and submit this online form by February 19th 2017. 

 All members will receive emails with more details in the run-up to the election- but take that first step. Make sure you’re a member!

 If you have any questions email: elections@democratsabroad.org.uk

NOTE: LONDON ELECTION WATCH IS SOLD OUT. TICKETS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR AND WAITING LIST IS FULL.  

Events are planned across the UK for election night: In Cambridge, meet up with fellow Democrats at Cambridge Union Society, 9A Bridge St, Cambridge CB2 1BU (Contact: CamChair@democratsabroad.org.uk for more details). In Edinburgh it's The Three Sisters, 139 Cowgate, Edinburgh EH1 from 11 p.m. until 5 a.m. (license pending). Go to http://www.facebook.com/events/153991025065101 for more details. For Oxford check in at oxford@democratsabroad.org.uk for more details. And if you're in the London area: join fellow Democrats at the Marylebone Sports Bar and Grill (part of Marylebone Station), Melcombe Pl, London NW1 6JJ. This is a popular event so book now at http://dauk-2016-election-watch.eventbrite.co.uk

Highlights: Comedy Night, Presidential Debate Screening, Gen. Wesley Clark in Oxford, DAUK Film Night.  

There’s plenty to chose from in September and October: from comedy to film to theater.  Meet the author Thomas Frank, best known for his book What’s the matter with Kansas: How Conservatives won the heart of America,  Come join your fellow Democrats at the European premiere of The Intelligent Homosexual’s Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures, the latest play by Tony Kushner. Check the events tab for more details and links to buy tickets. 

Last but not least: DAUK plans a get-out-the-vote initiative complete with campaign office (phone banking, registration drives, event check-in, technology, organizing events – how can you help and what kind of time do you have? Send an email to volunteers@democratsabroad.org.uk ) 

So, get involved!  We look forward to seeing you this fall! 

Come to Democrats Abroad UK’s Annual American Independence Day Celebration on July 3! In the gorgeous leafy setting of Portman Square Garden in London, join fellow Americans for a day of music, entertainment, American and international food stalls, and American-themed activities for all ages. It's a great day out! See you there.

DAUK American Independence Day Picnic 2016
Sunday, July 3, 2016, 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Portman Square Garden, W1H 2BH, London
Entrance: South gate on the south side of Portman Square between Gloucester Place and Baker Street
Buy your tickets today at http://dauk-picnic-2016.eventbrite.co.uk