In this issue —
- Upcoming Events across Brittany and the Loire Valley
- URGENT: Take action against the “SAVE America Act” voter-suppression bill
- How to Vote, Where to Get Help
- Welcome from the Chair
- Member Profile: Hilary Hodge, Bridging the Red/Blue Divide
- How to Volunteer Locally
- About this Newsletter - and let us know what you think!
Upcoming Events across Brittany and the Loire Valley
You can always find both in-person and online events on the Democrats Abroad Brittany events page.
Rennes, March 28, 6-9PM: The Brittany Chapter invites you to a special evening in Rennes, celebrating No Kings Day in solidarity with the U.S. This relaxed gathering will feature informal discussions, creative activities, and opportunities to explore civic participation and mutual respect. We’ll also share ways to help Americans vote from abroad and stay engaged beyond elections. Whether you’re looking to reconnect, share ideas, or simply enjoy good company, your presence will strengthen our community. Come talk, reflect, and build new connections in a welcoming, inspiring setting. All are welcome!
Rennes, May 23: Save the date for the Spring Fundraiser. More information coming soon.
The dangerous SAVE America Act is under debate in the Senate now, so we need to act quickly. This voter suppression bill would effectively end voting from abroad.
Please contact your US senators ASAP.
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Tell your Republican senators that Americans abroad pay taxes and serve our country in and out of uniform: Taking away the right to vote from people putting their lives on the line right now around the world is indecent and immoral at best.
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Tell your Democratic senators your story. Explain why it's important to YOU that you vote from abroad. Why are you fighting for this right?
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WRITE THEM: Send an online message: Click here, choose your state (using the dropdown box or the map), then click contact under their photo.
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CALL THEM: Dial the US Capitol Switchboard free from your French phone: Dial 07.55.53.64.46, then ask for your senators by name.
How to Vote & Get Help 
Voting from abroad requires one important step every year: you must request your ballot annually. The easiest way to do this is through VoteFromAbroad.org.
For more information, or to volunteer, Contact DA Brittany’s Get-Out-The-Vote Coordinator, Martha LeCars.
Welcome! The Brittany Chapter of the Democrats Abroad in France promotes the policies and goals of the Democratic Party. With active subchapters in Brest, Rennes, Nantes, and Angers, we sponsor activities to bring together Democrats to build engaged and welcoming local communities.
One of our most important activities is to encourage and help our members exercise their right to vote. The current political context in the U.S. makes it clear that voting, especially in the upcoming midterm elections, is more critical than ever. As historian Heather Cox Richardson observed: “Democracies die more often through the ballot box than at gunpoint.”
This chapter newsletter, which we are now launching, will be an important tool for us to fulfill our goals of membership education and local community building.
I would like to extend warm thanks to Ruth Miller (editor), Joe Dubin, Hilary Hodge, Martha Le Cars, Tanya G. De Menou Chacon and other dedicated colleagues who made this publication possible.
Thank you for being part of the Democrats Abroad Brittany community.
Greg Sadlek, Chapter Chairperson
Member Profile: Hilary Hodge, Bridging the Red/Blue Divide
Getting to know the volunteers and members who make our chapter strong.
Hilary Hodge is a new volunteer who is already involved with the Brittany Chapter's media outreach and will author a new section of the Brittany Community Update in the April edition: “How to Talk to Fence Sitters.” Hilary is excited that a new DA subchapter has been established in Angers, where she lives. Although she's lived in France for eight years, she is deeply passionate about reducing the politically-driven rancor and hatred in the United States and serves on the communication team of Braver Angels, the largest grassroots non-partisan organization dedicated to depolarization in the U.S. You can read about her work in this article she wrote for Waging Non-Violence. Her biggest areas of passion are public health, climate change, and building a more positive vision of the future for the children who will inherit our world, like her son, who is 5 years old.
How to Volunteer
If you’d like to help Americans abroad stay engaged, informed, and ready to vote, we invite you to join us. This is a meaningful way to take action from abroad while also connecting with a welcoming community here in Brittany and the Loire Valley. No prior experience is required — we provide training and guidance, and you can contribute in whatever way fits your schedule: voter assistance, outreach, events, communications, behind-the-scenes support. Experienced volunteers are especially welcome to contribute their skills at the local, chapter, or national level in areas such as organizing, IT, graphics, or writing.
To get involved, e-mail our Volunteer Coordinator or fill out the DA France Volunteer Form.
Your Feedback, and Opting Out
.You are receiving this update because you are a member of the Democrats Abroad Brittany Chapter, which also includes the Loire Valley. We hope you found this information useful and welcome your ideas for future topics or contributions. If you have a couple minutes, please take the survey to help us improve future issues.
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