VMF CAUCUS August 2024 News

Posted by Nicole Gross
August 07, 2024

Germany Communications Coordinator; Düsseldorf-Ruhr Region Chapter Press Secretary

AUGUST 2024 NEWSLETTER

Courtesy of Jones Claytoonz.com

“In four years, you don’t have to vote again.

We’ll have it fixed so good, you’re not going to have to vote.”

Greetings! Do you have to hear anything more? A word to the wise: Believe what people say. Do not let some people brush it off as a joke. A campaign based on eliminating the freedom to vote is not a joking matter. The right to vote and free elections is an important American freedom that is looked up to by citizens of many countries who are not allowed to vote and do not have free elections. It is our voice. What did you think when you heard these show stopping words from a former president who is now a candidate again: “I love you, Christians. I’m a Christian. I love you, you got to get out and vote. In four years, you don’t have to vote again. We’ll have it fixed so good, you’re not going to have to vote.”

Is there any doubt that if elected this person will destroy our democracy? Sounds like your right to vote and elect those who represent you will no longer be an option! Is there anything else you need to know? Spread the word! Everyone needs to register, request an absentee ballot, fill it out and return it! Help us register everyone overseas! Here's a challenge: 100% voter turnout among DA Germany members. DA Germany has about 15,000 members. Everyone needs to return their absentee ballot plus get another U.S. citizen to sign up and do the same! Let’s do it! Onward with Harris and Walz!

Save Democracy! Time is running out!

Robert Scott and Terese Sarno DAG VMF Caucus Co-Chairs DA Germany

Check the Global VMF Caucus webpage. Visit and Follow the VMF Facebook page.

Send us your suggestions: [email protected]

Read the August 2024 Global Veterans and Military Families Caucus Newsletter.

“Never let yourself be persuaded that any one Great Man, any one leader, is necessary to the salvation of America. When America consists of one leader and 158 million followers, it will no longer be America.” –Dwight D. Eisenhower

Among overseas citizens who did not return their voted ballot, some did not want to vote while others encountered obstacles in completing the process. Across all age groups, those who did not vote reported that difficulties completing the process prevented them from returning their absentee ballot. This was especially true for the youngest voters, who were up to 19 times more likely to have trouble completing the process than they were to report not wanting to vote.

MORE VOTER ASSISTANCE TRAININGS AVAILABLE

PHONE BANKING TRAINING ZOOM THE VOTE ONE TO ONE LIVE HELP

NEW! Backup Ballot (aka FWAB) Training

Voting Assistance volunteers: training for the Backup Ballot (aka, the FWAB) is available! There are live sessions or you can watch the video.

Here's the link to sign up or get the video: www.democratsabroad.org/voter_assistance_training

Volunteers should take Modules 1 & 2 before signing up for the Backup Ballot training -- they'll need to have the knowledge of FPCAs and Ballots that are covered in those trainings.

In the phonebanking campaigns starting August 14, we'll be recommending the use of the Backup Ballot to voters who must mail back their ballots and live in counties with unreliable mail systems.

We've set up trainings for Voter Assistants to "de-mystify" Backup Ballots. They'll learn how to help voters (1) decide when to use a Backup Ballot, (2) how to fill out and submit their Backup Ballot, and (3) how to avoid potential pitfalls.

Quick Guide to Submitting FPCAs

VFA highly recommends voters use Email or Fax to submit their FPCA!

Email and Fax are free and far quicker than postal mail or diplomatic pouch. Voters don't need to worry about postal failure or delay. Also, voters can submit their forms directly from the VFA website or send it in immediately with a smartphone app.

Most states accept the FPCA submitted by Email or Fax AND don’t require mailing in the original!

Except as set out below, states allow voters to submit their signed, dated and scanned FPCA by Email or FAX without also mailing in the original. THE EXCEPTIONS ARE:

MAIL REQUIRED in all circumstances--whether registering to vote or requesting a ballot:

Alabama

MAIL REQUIRED IF USING FPCA TO REGISTER TO VOTE (EMAIL or FAX are ok if a voter is already registered and submitting a ballot request only):

Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, South Dakota, Wisconsin

EMAIL OR FAX OK TO MEET DEADLINES, BUT MUST ALSO MAIL IN ORIGINAL SIGNED COPY

--whether registering to vote or requesting a ballot:

Arkansas (*some counties accept by Email/Fax without need to mail in original), Connecticut, New York
*Texas (*only if use Fax; No need to mail in original if form submitted by Email)

FAX OK (BUT NOT EMAIL) TO REGISTER TO VOTE:

*California (*For ballot request, Email is available but must print FPCA to sign)

ONLINE SUBMISSION VIA STATE WEBSITE AVAILABLE WITHOUT STATE ID:

Delaware https://ivote.de.gov/voterview/voteractions/federalpostcardapplication
Kentucky https://kentucky.enhancedballot.com/kentucky/fpca
Maryland [don’t use the MD website if “never lived in US”]
https://voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/OnlineVoterRegistration
Minnesota https://mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/UocavaRegistration
Missouri https://movotesportal.sos.mo.gov/movotes/voter/login
Montana https://sosmt.gov/elections/military-overseas
North Carolina https://votebymail.ncsbe.gov/app/uocava
Vermont https://mvp.vermont.gov

REMEMBER: Voters should email or call their Local Election Official to verify their FPCA form was received and they will be getting their ballots!
*If submitting the FPCA by postal mail, voters do not need to show proof of mailing from outside the US.

*Voters may use the “postage- paid” template on their envelope to mail in their FPCAs without charge within the US, or use US military mail, or the US diplomatic pouch via the US Embassy or Consulates.

The template prints out with the VFA.org Instructions or click: FPCA Postage-Paid Return Envelope PDF (#10) or FPCA Postage-Paid Return Envelope PDF (C4)

U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt Voting From Abroad Information Session Sept. 5, 2024

The DA Germany Veterans and Military Families Caucus is pleased to invite you—all members, veterans, military families, all U.S. citizens--to attend the U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt’s virtual Voting Information Session on Thursday, September 5, 2024 from 12:00-1:00 p.m. CET. The Zoom Info Session will feature information on how to register and vote in the 2024 Presidential Election. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear directly from the U.S. Consular Officers and to ask questions. Register at [email protected]