lifestyle special

What sinister conspiracies might Democrats Abroad Panama be up to? On April 28 Panama's Democrats gathered at the Balboa Yacht Club despite the holiday weekend, to schmooze, get acquainted or re-acquainted, swap old campaign tales, tell Mitt  Romney jokes and organize the campaign. So what is the point of the conspiracy? It's not merely to get Barack Obama re-elected, but to give him a Democratic Congress with which to work.

First things first, however: there is the May 6 global Democrats Abroad Primary. The main bit of business if a foregone conclusion. People can vote for Barack Obama or "uncommitted." Guess who's going to win that one. But there is also voting for the Americas delegates in the Democrats Abroad contingent at the upcoming Democratic National Convention. The voting center here is at the Panama Club de Bridge in the La Florida shopping center in Marbella, on the second floor above the Restaurante Luna, opposite from Le Bistro. For more information, ask at the Democrats Abroad Panama Facebook page.

The rules for American citizens voting from abroad have changed this year. Even if you were registered to vote before, you must re-register to vote to cast your ballot in US elections this year. It's a new federal law. You need to start getting your act in motion now to be able to vote when the time comes. Helping Democrats through the nuts and bolts of the new process is a big part of this year's labor for Democrats Abroad.