Democrats Abroad Taiwan is more than just an organization to rally voters for the US Democratic Party, but a place where supporters can express their views and know that their opinions matter, newly elected chairman John Eastwood said.
“We want to hold events that are meaningful and relevant for the members. The [management] committee wants to find out what they view as priorities,” he said.
Eastwood, a US attorney who has been in Taiwan for nine years, said Democrats Abroad Taiwan is part of the worldwide group Democrats Abroad, an official arm of the Democratic Party. The Democratic National Committee recognizes Democrats Abroad as a state in terms of convention voting rights.
Democrats Abroad sent 22 delegates, including eight so-called super delegates, to the Democratic National Convention last August in Denver, Colorado. The 22 delegates each had half a vote, bringing the total vote to 11.
Prior to last November’s election, Democrats Abroad Taiwan and other Democratic Party supporters held several events around Taiwan to raise funds and to encourage all eligible US voters to register to vote and send in their absentee ballots.
Democrats Abroad Taiwan aims to provide a platform where US citizens can discuss and voice opinions on issues that are pertinent to Americans living abroad such as double taxation, visas for families, immigration and Medicare and Medicaid benefits for retirees residing outside of the US, Eastwood said.
The group is also a wealth of knowledge because it is made up of people from diverse backgrounds who are well versed in subjects ranging from politics to filmmaking, he said.
Membership has quintupled in the recent months, said Eastwood, who declined to divulge the exact number, “and we hope the number will keep growing as more and more people get involved.”
More than 100 people showed up at the group’s inaugural party in Taipei last November. The group also held election-watching events in Taichung and Kaohsiung, which attracted hundreds of people, the first time the group had held such events outside of Taipei, he said.
“The [management] committee wants to hear from the members and have them share what’s important to them. We want to know how we can best represent the members” Eastwood said, urging members and interested people attend the St. Patrick’s Day party at Brass Monkey next Tuesday.
Democrats Abroad Taiwan is open to US citizens aged 18 and above or those who will turn 18 by the next mid-term election. More information is available on www.democratsabroad.org or inquiries can be sent to democratsabroadtaiwan@gmail.com.
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