Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico - To kick start the Get Out the Vote effort, Democrats Abroad is sponsoring a free voter forum at Act II Stages on Monday January 15 from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm.

A presentation will be held from 12 to 2 in The Red Room, but come early to meet and talk with fellow Democrats in the bar about how you can help get out the vote from Puerto Vallarta. Or join us after. Free appetizers and a cash bar.

Presenting will be Paul Crist, a Puerto Vallarta businessman and former U.S. Senate staffer, who will concentrate on the races that show the most promise for Democratic wins. Paul has degrees in Political Science and International Economics.

The second presenter is Mike Hais, co-author of three books on the millennial generation and past VP of Entertainment Research at Frank N. Magid Associates. He will discuss the emerging majority coalition within the Democratic Party that can make a difference if activated.

Anna Maria Davis, a dual citizen of Mexico and the U.S., is a pioneer producer of films dealing with the cultural interface of Mexico and the U.S. She will focus on issues affecting the Hispanic vote in the U.S. and strategies for increasing the dual citizen vote from Mexico in U.S. elections. This panel will be moderated by Tobe Jensen, Chair of Democrats Abroad Costa Banderas. The forum will be videotaped for later distribution.

Currently, the Senate and House line-up for 2018 still poses real obstacles for Democrats as they seek a path back to the majority in Congress. But party officials also see opportunities on the horizon to flip enough seats to reclaim control of Congress, dent GOP advantages in statehouses and diminish Trump's political sway in the final two years of his term. Democrats need to flip 24 seats for a House majority. In the Senate, Democrats must defend 10 seats in states where Trump won. With Doug Jones' defeat of Roy Moore in Alabama, they need to net a two-seat gain.

This forum will provide insight into opportunities and strategies for upending the dynamics in Washington. Please come and share your thoughts!