Democrats Abroad facts for kids
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Logo since 2022
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| Founded | 1964 |
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| Headquarters | 430 South Capitol Street SE Washington, D.C. 20003 |
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Democrats Abroad is an official group for the Democratic Party. It helps U.S. citizens who live outside the United States. This organization is recognized by the main Democratic Party in the U.S.
Democrats Abroad has members in more than 197 countries. They have 48 organized groups in different countries. These groups are found in the Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. The main group that represents them all is called the Democratic Party Committee Abroad (DPCA). Some countries with many U.S. citizens even have smaller local groups.
Contents
Voting from Overseas
One of the main jobs of Democrats Abroad is to help U.S. citizens living overseas vote. They created a website called VoteFromAbroad.org. This website helps U.S. citizens, whether they are Democrats or not, register to vote.
Since Presidents and members of Congress are elected by state, U.S. citizens living abroad vote in the state where they last lived. Each state has its own rules for registering and voting.
The VoteFromAbroad.org website asks voters which state they last lived in. Then, it guides them through the steps needed for that state's election rules. After all the information is given, a special document is created. The voter can print this document, sign it, and mail it. Sometimes, they can also fax it or send it by email.
A few weeks before an election, the local election office sends the voter a special absentee ballot. The voter fills out this ballot and sends it back to cast their vote.
What Democrats Abroad Does
Besides helping U.S. citizens overseas vote, Democrats Abroad does many other things. These activities often happen in specific countries or cities. Here are some of their activities:
- They help if there are problems with absentee ballots.
- They organize talks, debates, and other events about politics. These events often have guest speakers.
- They help U.S. ambassadors and consuls connect with U.S. citizens living overseas.
- They talk to Congress about issues important to U.S. citizens abroad. For example, they discuss citizenship for children born outside the U.S.
- They represent U.S. citizens living abroad in the Democratic National Committee.
- They raise money for the Democratic Party.
- They run a website with news for U.S. citizens living overseas.
Who Leads Democrats Abroad
Democrats Abroad has eight leaders, and all of them are elected. These leaders include:
- International Chair – Martha McDevitt-Pugh
- International Vice Chair – Steve Nardi
- International Treasurer – Daniela Salvioni
- International Secretary – Inge Kjemtrup
- International Counsel – Kate Sawyer
- Regional Vice Chair for the Americas – Jessica Espadas
- Regional Vice Chair for Asia/Pacific – Suma Shamanna
- Regional Vice Chair for Europe, Middle East and Africa – Keith Brannum
Democrats Abroad also has eight members who represent them on the Democratic National Committee. The International Chair and Vice Chair are automatically members of the DNC.
Democrats Abroad also has special groups called caucuses. These groups represent different interests. Some examples are the Global AAPI Caucus, the Global Black Caucus, the Global Disabilities Caucus, the Global Hispanic Caucus, the Global LGBT+ Caucus, the Global Progressive Caucus, the Global Veterans and Military Families Caucus, the Global Women's Caucus, and the Global Youth Caucus.
History of the Organization
Democrats Abroad started with two small groups in London and Paris. This happened after Lyndon B. Johnson won the 1964 U.S. presidential election. The first leaders, Toby Hyde and Al Davidson, raised money and formed these groups. They worked hard to get Democrats Abroad recognized by the states.
In 1972, the DNC Chairman, John Bailey, allowed Democrats Abroad to send nine people to the Democratic National Convention. These people could not vote at the time. By 1976, the group was given the same status as a state committee. This meant they could send voting delegates to the convention.
Over the years, Democrats Abroad has worked to make sure U.S. citizens living abroad have full citizenship rights. They have supported marriage equality. This was to ensure U.S. citizens in same-sex partnerships could live together in the U.S. They also support changes to tax laws that are unfair to U.S. citizens abroad. The group has always worked for voting rights for U.S. citizens both at home and overseas. They supported the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act in 1986. They also supported the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot.
In 1992, Democrats Abroad changed how they chose their convention delegates. They switched from a primary election to an open caucus. Then, in 2008, they switched back to using a primary election process.
Presidential Primaries
Democrats Abroad sends a group of delegates to the Democratic National Convention every four years. They have been doing this since 1976.
What They Believe In
In April 2022, a special group within Democrats Abroad, called the Taxation Task Force, voted to change its view. They now support getting rid of a law called FATCA.
See also
In Spanish: Democrats Abroad para niños
- Republicans Abroad
- Republicans Overseas
