The Weekly Roundup
A weekly review of what Democrats Abroad has been up to – and what you can get up to too.
1. Watson v. RNC
On Monday, the Supreme Court began hearing its case, Watson v. RNC. If you vote from abroad, this case is about you. The Supreme Court is about to decide which mail-in ballots get counted and which do not.
In essence, this case challenges whether mail-in ballots that arrive after Election Day can be counted. 30+ States accept ballots that arrive after Election Day if they are postmarked on time, a grace period that exists because the post is unpredictable (and increasingly so). The RNC argues that Mississippi’s grace period of late ballots has been misapplied. In doing so, they reach the conclusion that any ballot received after Election Day should be tossed. The 5th Circuit court validated that view, so SCOTUS will have the final say.
The stakes are high for Americans living abroad, whose right to vote is compromised by this case, just another Republican attempt to dismantle voting rights for entire swaths of the US population. If SCOTUS sides with the plaintiffs, a ballot cast in good faith from abroad could be invalidated simply because it arrived a day late. Military voters, diplomatic personnel, overseas civilians, military spouses will be disproportionately affected: people risking their lives for our country may lose their right to voice their concerns over its direction. Moreover, election officials will need to rewrite procedures before midterms in 2026, creating confusion at such a pivotal moment. That confusion is also the Republicans’ goal.
While Americans Abroad cannot influence the case’s outcome, we can still take action to make sure our voices are heard. Act as though the grace period is gone. Request your ballots now. Send it back early.
You can track your States’ deadlines at votefromabroad.org.
2. TAKE ACTION: Fund TSA and FEMA
The partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security is silently unfolding, but its consequences are far from noiseless. TSA Agents are providing security without paychecks. FEMA is responding to natural disasters without the financial means to do so. Even the Coast Guard, one of the country’s most crucial emergency-response groups, is facing uncertainty. These issues are not a bureaucratic inconvenience: they are threats to public safety, and totally preventable.
Senate Democrats have tried to counteract this problem. Nine times. They legislated for a targeted funding package for TSA, FEMA, and other crucial DHS organizations, offering stable funding to these while holding ICE and Border Patrol accountable for their unchecked violence. Nine times, Senate Republicans blocked it, implying more missing paychecks, more personnel quitting, and ultimately, more shakiness in the systems designed to keep Americans everywhere safe.
Democrats Abroad knows that this is a Republican choice. We also know that constituents have a role to play in changing these atrocious legislative decisions. Americans Abroad can call their senators too. If you are registered in a US State, then your senator works for you too. CALL THEM NOW! Let them know how you feel!
U.S. Capitol Switchboard: +1 (202) 224-3121
You can demand that they pass the carveout for TSA, FEMA, and the Coast Guard before the situation worsens.
3. Event announcement: TOMORROW: The Cauldron with the Global Women’s Caucus
Feeling the heat from the latest headlines? Put that energy into The Cauldron. Whether you’re feeling fired up or just need to be in community with like-minded women, there’s a seat around Cauldron the table for you.
TOMORROW, Mar 29 | 1 PM ET | 7 PM CET