What to Do Wednesday
Your Weekly Guide to Staying Politically Active—From Abroad
Wednesday 22 July 2026
The Only Answer Is Turnout
Donald Trump is already trying to make Americans doubt an election that has not yet happened.
In a July 16 White House address, Trump revived discredited claims about the 2020 election and cast doubt on the upcoming midterms. The strategy is familiar: create confusion, weaken public confidence, and persuade voters that participating is not worth the effort.
Our answer must be equally clear: make our turnout too big to rig.
Trump is betting that voters, especially Americans living abroad, will become discouraged by the absentee voting process. Do not give him that win.
International mail can be unpredictable, and election deadlines leave little room for delays. Electronic delivery is the fastest way to receive your ballot and gives you the greatest possible time to complete and return it.
Normally, we would not need to sound the alarm about postal timelines. This is not a normal year.
Your vote is proof that doubt and discouragement will not work. Cast it.
Take Action Now: Request Your Ballot
Go to VoteFromAbroad.org and submit your Federal Post Card Application, or FPCA, today.
The FPCA allows eligible overseas voters to register and request absentee ballots for every federal election in the calendar year. Under federal law, states must send requested absentee ballots to overseas voters at least 45 days before a federal election.
When completing your FPCA, choose electronic ballot delivery if your state offers it. If you previously selected postal delivery, submit a new FPCA to update your preference.
Remember that electronic delivery determines how you receive your blank ballot. Depending on your state, you may still need to return your completed ballot by mail. Check your state’s requirements and deadlines carefully.
Why This Matters
Trump’s latest claims are part of a familiar strategy: undermine confidence in an election before the results are known.
The best response is overwhelming participation. Our turnout must be too big to rig.
That does not mean ignoring threats to voting rights or assuming the system will protect itself. It means acting now: requesting our ballots, meeting every deadline, helping other Americans abroad, and ensuring that every eligible voter has the information needed to vote successfully.
Our Advantage
Americans abroad are not powerless in this election. We can request our ballots now, help others do the same, and build the turnout needed to overcome every attempt at discouragement.
Every ballot request expands the electorate. Every conversation with another voter strengthens our democracy.
We do not have to let uncertainty become paralysis. We can turn it into action.
This Week’s Actions
- Request your ballot at VoteFromAbroad.org.
- Choose electronic ballot delivery if your state offers it.
- Save your confirmation and verify that your local election official received your request.
- Send the link to three Americans abroad and ask whether they have submitted their 2026 FPCA.
- Volunteer with Democrats Abroad Italy to help us reach more eligible voters. Respond to this email if you are interested in lending a hand!
Trump is betting that doubt will discourage us.
Let’s prove him wrong. Request your ballot. Help three other Americans abroad request theirs. Make our turnout too big to rig.
Democrats Abroad Italy Events
Join our DA Italy leadership team at our DA Italy Monthly Country Committee Meeting August 21 @09:00
Be the reason a US Citizen is able to cast their ballots! Train to become a Voting Assistant Volunteer!
- Module 1: Voter Registration & Ballot Request Saturday 1 August @10:00
- Module 1: Voter Registration & Ballot Request Wednesday 5 August @18:00
- Module 2: Ballot Receipt & Return Saturday 5 September @10:00
- Module 2: Ballot Receipt & Return Wednesday 9 September @18:00
Global Democrats Abroad Events
Join Democrats Abroad Germany on Saturday, September 26, in Munich for the Annual Democrats Abroad Oktoberfest Extravaganza! Democrats Abroad Oktoberfest 2026
Are you Vote Ready?
P.S. Don’t wait—take two minutes now to request your ballot at VoteFromAbroad.org and check this off your list. If you get stuck, we’re here to help every step of the way—just reach out and we’ll guide you through it. Already done? Let us know so we can count you in. We’re aiming for at least 25% of Democrats Abroad Italy members to be ballot-ready by the end of July—help us get there.