In February, millions of U.S. citizens from Toronto to Timbuktu will have the chance to vote in the first-ever online global primary to choose the Democratic nominee for President.

Washington, DC - In February, millions of U.S. citizens from Toronto to Timbuktu will have the chance to vote in the first-ever online global primary to choose the Democratic nominee for President.

In the process, they will also gather in a series of caucus meetings to elect a delegation that will represent Democrats Abroad at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado, from August 25 to 28, 2008.

Under party rules of diversity, Democrats Abroad is working to ensure inclusion of African-Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans and Asian-Pacific Americans, as well as Gays and Lesbians, Youth and People with Disabilities.

"In this election, we have the most diverse set of candidates in history.  It is important that this level of inclusion reach ALL levels of our party," says Robert Bragar, Chair of Democrats Abroad Netherlands who also serves as Chair of the Democrats Abroad Affirmative Action Committee.

"Democrats encourage the participation of all Americans at home and abroad," says Christine Schon Marques, International Chair of Democrats Abroad.  "By offering an online global primary, we'll reach the most voters in the most locations around the world. We hope that will also make our convention delegation the most diverse ever."

The worldwide election results will determine the 14 delegates who will join eight DNC members in Democrats Abroad's delegation of 22 to the Democratic National Convention. These delegates will be elected at a combination of regional and global meetings held during early 2008.

Any American citizen over the age of 18 who lives temporarily or permanently outside the United States is eligible to vote in the Democratic global primary and run for election as a convention delegate.  Participants in the Democrats Abroad Global Presidential Primary, may not vote for President in their voting-state primary or caucus.

To vote in the Democratic global primary and/or run for delegate to the Democratic National Convention, overseas Americans should contact Democrats Abroad online at www.democratsabroad.org

To vote in the U.S. Presidential Election in November, American voters abroad must request a ballot from the local voting authorities in the place where they last resided in the U.S. This process is explained and automated at Democrats Abroad's voter registration website, VoteFromAbroad.org.

The Democrats Abroad Global Primary will take place from February 5-12, 2008.

Democrats Abroad Regional Caucuses will take place in Brussels on March 15, 2008, for Europe-Middle East-Africa and in Vancouver on April 11, 2008, for the Americas and Asia-Pacific.

The Democrats Abroad Global Convention will take place in Vancouver, April 12-13, 2008.

The Democratic National Convention will take place in Denver, Colorado, August 25-28, 2008.

The U.S. Presidential Election will take place on November 4, 2008. Deadlines for requesting overseas absentee ballots vary per state.

Press Release supplied by Democrats Abroad 

(expatica 2008)