20 Comments

There are more than 3 million expats. They are eligible to vote via absentee ballots, yet less than 8% bother to vote.

It's literally the difference between winning or losing the Electoral College vote.

Even if expats are uninterested in US politics, the 2024 outcome will impact them, because a Trump victory will lead to a realignment of alliances throughout the world, as well as economic instability.

As importantly, it will impact millions of vulnerable American citizens.

Expand full comment

Tried Resistbot for the first time, using my cell-phone’s texting feature. Went very slowly, step by step (over 70, “digital immigrant” here, and a bit “tech challenged”) but was able to get the message sent. Did not expect the request for “coins” at the end, but gave me the opportunity to practice that old-fashioned notion that “No” is a complete sentence!

Expand full comment

Yeah it is a free service that lets you send one letter a day for free. After that it asks for coins which are very cheap and go a long way but if you don’t want to spend money you can just send the one a day.

Expand full comment

Name one piece of legislation or policy signed into law in the last 40 yrs by the republicans for the working people ? Besides cutting taxes for the rich & After a lengthy conversation with 2 No Labels men outside a grocery chain in NE refusing to sign there petition , only had 2 signatures...pointing out this is a sabotage 3rd party trump vote! That’s what I left them to ponder - there answer - after some thought ..... farm bill?

Expand full comment

Wow!

Expand full comment

Hooray for Mim! Aren’t her cards amazing???

Expand full comment

So beautiful!

Expand full comment

Just want to second the plug for Focus4Democracy -- I love knowing that my donations are going toward organizations with a proven track record for flipping or turning out voters.

Expand full comment

Yes 100%

Expand full comment

Thanks for walking me through this !

Expand full comment

Sure!

Expand full comment

I am curious to hear your thoughts on a bit of a conundrum we face here in FL. We’ve been told that we need good and new people to run for office at the local, state, and federal levels so that we can get the state back on the right track. I have a friend who recently stepped up to the plate (Kari Lerner for Florida, FL-19). She will be running for Byron Donalds seat. I’m glad she is running not just because of the larger issues on policy but also so that Donald’s will have to expend some resources this election cycle. So here is something meeting the need on new candidates.

Now we are faced with getting support. Early efforts to reach beyond states lines have yielded no positive response since our area is a “lost cause” and organizations want to target the “critical” areas.

So on one hand, we hear Run for Office We Need You! Then on the other hand, we hear No We Cannot Help You Because Your Area Doesn’t Matter.

Anyways, her campaign is just getting off the ground and I’m hoping we can break through this mindset.

https://www.karilernerforflorida.com/

Expand full comment

Is the state party helping her at all?

Expand full comment

I will ask her. She is well connected here in the county and is active at the state level. But my experience here is that not much help seems come from state party (FL).

Expand full comment

A small thing: Resistbot is so much better on WhatsApp for some reason. I had given up using it because it quickly became unwieldy for me. Thanks for including other options! Happy to be back onboard with Resistbot.

Expand full comment

Good to know!

Expand full comment

Ciao from Italy! Thanks Jessica a million for the shoutout out for Vote From Abroad! US Citizens living or studying abroad can vote and our votes can be the margin of victory in tight races! If you know anyone living or studying abroad send them to https://votefromabroad.org. In most cases the entire process to register and request an overseas ballot can be done via a smartphone in just minutes. As overseas citizens we request our overseas ballots every calendar year - then we are good to go for all elections (think primaries, run offs and the general election in November) for the entire year! Questions? VFA has a chat where you can get a real voting nerd to help you with your voting related questions. We've got this everybody!

Expand full comment

Yes yes yes!

Expand full comment

I was a member of Democrats Abroad for 3 years in Guatemala and two years in Mexico (also a phone banking volunteer). The overseas vote is crucial.

Expand full comment

I echo the message about voters abroad! Donate to Dems Abroad, call friends, check out DA state teams for your state.

I am part of a grassroots group that also works in this area, helping people who are away from home vote. Did you know most military families (US OR abroad) can vote by special absentee...but very few are asked to? Same for people away from the US.

They can vote...and they are the winning margin in close elections...but no one asks!

Let's ask! I'm glad to help others learn more, so please touch base!

Expand full comment