⭐ Next VMF Meeting: February 14, 2026, at 7:00 AM ET on Webex. ⭐

Link to attend here; Meeting number 23030276290; password: dems

* VMF meetings are open to all DA members, and all VMF members are encouraged to attend.

Message from the Chair

Team VMF—

The election season is now upon us, with some state primaries beginning as early as March. Have you already sent in your completed Federal Post Card Application to ensure you’ll receive your 2026 ballots? If not, please make this your mission priority #1 and check it off your to-do list immediately via VoteFromAbroad.org. As a reminder, you must request your ballot every year, and this year is one you don’t want to sit out.

MAGA’s top fear is a peaceful and large Democratic voting turnout, and we want nothing more than to see them quaking in their boots. Our priority is to make sure every single Democracy-loving American living overseas receives their home state voting ballot and sends it in as early as possible to avoid postal delays and/or state legislatures suddenly changing ballot return deadlines.

As we implement our 2026 VMF GOTV (Get Out The Vote) Plan, give us a follow on our social media channels (see below) to stay up to date on what VMF is doing, what issues we’re engaging on, how you can assist in our efforts, and more. And as always, we welcome volunteers who want to help veterans, protect and expand voting rights, and defend American democracy.

We all have a part to play in ensuring we see a Blue Wave. What will yours be? Join us.

Michael Ramos

Democrats Abroad Global VMF Caucus, Chair

Veteran and Military Family Member

VMF Volunteer of the Month

This month, VMF is pleased to honor and recognize the contributions of VMF volunteer Allie Diaz, a Marine Corps veteran and California UOCAVA voter residing in Spain. Allie recently participated in our VMF Virtual Museum project, encouraged her son to participate in the VMF Virtual Art Gallery, and gave her time to join the VMF Podcast to share her experience using the VA’s Foreign Medical Program. Allie is a fantastic member who we’re proud to be associated with, and we thank her for her service!

VMF Tip of the Month

As we are now in a critical U.S. election year, it is important for all “military voters” (current service members and their voting-aged dependents) to review the rules on where your home voting location is for voter registration purposes. The below information via the Federal Voter Assistance Program provides clarity on where you should register to vote while serving/deployed/stationed abroad or at sea.

For Service Members

You may only have one legal voting residence at a time.

Your voting residence is typically the same address as the one listed on your Leave and Earnings Statement, which defines your state for withholding state taxes.

Don't confuse voting residence with home of record. Your home of record is the place you lived when you entered the military. It does not change while you are on active duty. Your voting residence may be the same as your home of record but needs to be updated if and when you decide to establish a new state of legal residence.

Your state of legal residence is not automatically changed when you are assigned to a new duty location.

It may be changed with your approval by submitting the appropriate paperwork to your finance officer. However, you should first consult legal counsel.

You can choose to establish residency or domicile each time you are transferred to a new location. Once you change your residence or domicile, you may not revert to a previous residence without re-establishing a new physical presence according to residency laws of that state.

For military spouses and eligible family members

You may retain the same residence or domicile that your Service member has established even if you have not physically been present at that address, according to the Dec. 31, 2018 amendment to the Military Spouse Residency Relief Act (MSRRA). Or you may choose to retain your established residency or domicile (if different from your sponsor).

MSRRA still does not permit you to choose any state; you or your Service member must have established residency in a state. Ways to do this may include voting, paying taxes, owning property, holding a driver's license, or registering a vehicle. Residency requirements vary by state. Consult legal counsel to discuss tax implications and other effects of MSRRA. 

As a military spouse, you can:

1. 1. Retain your sponsor's or Service member's residency or domicile.
   2. Keep your current, established residency or domicile.
   3. Take the appropriate steps to establish a new residency or domicile. 

Some children turn 18 while their family is stationed overseas. To vote, they should use the last U.S. address they had before departing to the current duty station.

What's VMF Been Up To?

Statements from the VMF Caucus:

• On the Supreme Court Decision in Bost v. Illinois Election Board 
• Getting Out The Vote In 2026 Is Our Best Hope For Halting The MAGA Agenda
• A Quick Check-In Question with VMF Members

VMF Member Opinions:

• The Time for Democrats to Fight Tooth and Nail for Their Beliefs is Now
• Strategic Voting in 2026
• The Trump Administration Is Killing Independent Military Journalism 
• I And Others Served In Uniform During WWII. Now Republicans in Congress Expect Us To Prove “Loyalty” As a U.S. Citizen?
• The Obscenity of Trumpism

Recorded Virtual Discussion: VMF Speaks with the Dems Abroad Global Women's Caucus

VMF Guest Opinion Piece: Black American Soldiers at Margraten: A Story Worth Remembering 

VMF Poem of the Month: “Invisible Veteran” by Guest Poet Lisa Carrington Firmin and Guest Artist Christina Helferich-Polosky 

VMF Artwork: “The A-10 Jet” by “Fritz”; “Every Climb and Place” by Johnny Ramos; “The Journey to Phoenix” by M.B. Dallocchio; and ​“The USS Constitution” Digital Art by “Fritz” 

New Podcast Episode: VMF Members on Their Experiences Being Abroad and Utilizing the VA 

VMF January 2026 Newsletter 

Recent News of VMF Interest for November-December 2025 

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***To view (lots!) more of the latest VMF News Articles & Opinions, please see here.

If you haven’t checked it out already, make sure to swing by our Virtual Museum (QR Code shown below). Simply click on each “display” and swipe through each one to view additional pages.

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Are you following the Democrats Abroad Global Veterans & Military Families (VMF) Caucus on social media?

• CONUS: Call 988 and Press 1 or go to https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/ 
• In Europe: +1 844-702-5495 or DSN 988
• In the Pacific: +1 844-702-5493 or DSN 988
• In Southwest Asia: +1 855-422-7719 or DSN 988
• Chat: Text with a crisis line responder. Send a text to 838255 or through https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/chat

Questions/Comments/Suggestions?

For matters concerning the VMF newsletter: [email protected]

For reaching the VMF Caucus chair: [email protected]

For all other matters: [email protected]

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The VMF Caucus has a membership of over 1,400 members located in dozens of countries and proudly consists of veterans, military family members, Department of Defense civilians, other national security professionals, and strong allies of our causes.