Thursday, October 9, 2014

Newsletter to our members, October 2014

Democrats Abroad Switzerland
Thursday, 9 October, 2014

Message From The Chair

US mid-terms: What Americans need to know!

By Anne-Shelton Aaron, Chair, Democrats Aroad Switzerland, published 26 September 2014, lenews.ch, the Le News print edition will be available on 10 October
With US mid-term elections coming up, expatriate Americans need to be aware of their rights and how to go about voting.
GENEVA   An American friend recently recounted how his parents, after many years of living in Switzerland, were surprised to learn that they still had the right to vote in US federal elections. In fact, every American citizen, 18 and over living outside of the United States has the right to vote.
And with the onset of mid-term elections that may be decisive in the balance of power in Washington, D.C. for years to come, exercising that right, this year, is as important as ever. Democrats Abroad is working hard to encourage US citizens resident in Switzerland to “go out and vote”.

Letter From Washington

To Democrats Abroad,

Tom Fina, Democrats Abroad Executive Director Emeritus, 28 September 2014. His letters are insightful and worth the time to read.
Ken Burns' just finished fourteen hour PBS documentary on the Roosevelts (Theodore, Franklin and Eleanor), taken with the looming struggle to replace Attorney General Eric Holder, reminds us that achieving Lincoln's vision of government “ of the people, by the people and for the people” is an enduring battle now led by Obama. His appointment of the first black to be Attorney General followed the pushing of the envelope when TR appointed the first Jew to the cabinet and FDR appointed the first woman. There are those who have never forgiven them.

Vote From Abroad

Absentee Ballots

Vote in the November 4 midterm election that will determine control of the House and Senate by requesting an absentee ballot.
❶ Did you request a ballot? If not, the deadlines are on us so do it ASAP. Get the ballot request form →
❷ Vote as soon as you receive your ballot to avoid losing it, forgetting about it, or missing the deadline.
❸ You must mail your ballot back to your local elections office. Swiss Post International Priority mail is reliable and requires approximately 3 to 7 days for delivery to the States.
❹ Your completed ballot must be physically in the possession of your local elections office by the deadline—a postmark on that date will not suffice.
❺ If you have not received a ballot at least 30 days before the election, vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) by mailing it to your local elections office.
❻Each state has its own rules and procedures, so review the guidelines applicable to you. Here's a handy overview of request deadlines and ballot due dates.

Candidates Appeal to Expats

Video Messages to Democrats Abrod

A few of our favorite candidates running for election or re-election this year have sent video messages to Democrats Abroad about the importance of the overseas vote. We received videos from

•  Senator Mark Begich
•  Senate Candidate Bruce Braley
•  Senator Kay Hagen
•  Senator Mary Landrieu
•  Representative John Lewis
•  House Candidate Andrew Romanoff

Watch all the videos at the Democrats Abroad website →

MidTerm Elections 2014

Key Senate Races

Demorcats Abroad is targeting 11 Senate races in which our votes from Switzerland could be critical in determining these very close contests.

Hold the Democratic Majority

Learn more about the candidates’ positions and information on other 2014 Senate races at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) website →

MidTerm Elections 2014

Key House Races

Demorcats Abroad is targeting 24 House races in which our votes from Switzerland could help remove the obstructionsts blocking progress.

Take Back the House

Pre-Election Calendar

Find us Registering Voters in Person

TODAY in Geneva, 11:30 - 2:30

Webster University
Day two of our voter registration event outside the cafeteria on the univeristy campus. Webster students and outside community are invited to attend.
Where : Webster University, Route de Collex 15, 1293 Bellevue – a 2-minute walk from the Genthod-Bellevue train station.

Special Event

Thursday October 16, 8pm

Global Town Hall
Featuring U.S. SENATOR MARK UDALL (CO), U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE MICHELLE NUNN (GA) and a surprise guest star
Candidates will speak on key issues, their current Senate campaigns, and answer select questions submitted in advance.
This is an online event accessible via WebEx. Watch it at a local viewing party or from your own home. Find more information and updates on our blog →
Vote Early

Get out the Vote

Volunteer

Now through October, all around Switzerland: Join phone banks, participate at voter-outreach tables, tell us about places or event that are popular with Americans, host a GOTV event. Volunteer activities are fun and a great way to meet like-minded Americans. There are lots of ways to help and we will provide you with training.

Save the Date

Thursday November 27 in Geneva, 6:30-11pm

Thanksgiving Celebration
Hosted by the American International Club. Join us for a delicious family get-together! This year’s profits will be donated to La Maison Tara hospice.

DACH Organization

Executive Committee

Chair: Anne-Shelton Aaron
Vice chair: Peter Butterfield
Secretary: Radhika Garland
Treasurer: Emily T. Blitz
Counsel: Karen A. Monroe
Immediate past Chair: Maya Samara
Member-at-Large, International Policy Issues: Michael E. Parmly
Member-at-Large: Mark Pasquesi

Zurich Chapter

Chair: AnnaMaria Fato
Vice chair: Myrtle Alexander
Secretary: Madeline McSherry
Communications: Sheela Pawar de Groot

Committee Contacts

U.S. Citizens Abroad Issues, contact Karen A. Monroe
Events & Fundraising Committee, events@democrats.ch
GOTV Coordinator, contact Bob Samors
Volunteer Coordinator, contact Emily T. Blitz
Community Manager, contact Radhika Garland
Press and Media, contact Edna Ayme-Yahil
Social Media, contact Eileen Weinberg






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