News from the Skagit County Democrats

Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for July 18, 2022

DEMOCRATIC EVENTS

1. Skagit County Democrats will not be meeting in July

2. Meet and Support 10th Legislative District Representative Dave Paul and Candidate Clyde Shavers, Thursday, Jul 21, 5:30pm – 7:00pm, La Conner Civic Garden Club, 622 South Second Street, La Conner
RSVP to bridget@bobmanconsulting.com.

3. NEW – The 40th Legislative District Democrats Executive Board is scheduled to meet Tuesday, Jul 26, 6:00pm – 7:00pm, via Zoom
Click Here for the Zoom link.

4. NEW – Election Observers Needed
“It is that time of year when we are requesting help with election observers beginning July 19 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Each observer may be there for a 2-hour shift, but you are not required to remain the whole two hours. There is one shift (11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon) which is only one hour.

As you know, the Republican party has decided to file suits against various counties in our state regarding the integrity of our elections, and in fact has a Republican candidate running against Sandy Perkins. It is very important that we as Democrats take part and observe and defend the integrity of our elections. The best way you can help is to sign up to be an observer.

Angela Napoliello-Ivory has agreed to be our Elections Supervisor and co-ordinate our volunteers with the Auditor’s office. Please email her at staff@skagitdemocrats.org.

Starting on July 19 and through the processing of ballots for the Primary, we need Observers to sign up in 2 hour shifts. This may take several weeks, so even if you are not available early in the process, please find a shift that works for you.

The shifts are:

• 9:00am – 11:00am
• 11:00am – 12:00pm
• 1:00pm – 3:00pm
• 3:00pm – 5:00pm

If you have any questions, please let Angela know. She will remain in close contact with Gabrielle Clay, the Elections Supervisor of the Skagit County Auditor’s Office which is located at 700 South Second Street Mount Vernon. (On the second floor). There will not be any training provided, so please review the information on the form which Angela will provide once you sign up.

We need to protect our democracy! I hope that we can have observers available for all of the shifts.”

5. Skagit County Democrats Endorsed Candidates
Below is the list of candidates endorsed by the Skagit County Democrats to date:

• Patty Murray, US Senate
• Rick Larsen, WA-02 US House
• Jason Call, WA-02 US House
• Barbara Madsen, Washington State Supreme Court
• Steve Hobbs, Washington Secretary of State
• Dave Paul, 10th LD House
• Clyde Shavers, 10th LD House
• Jessica Wadhams, 39th LD House
• Claus Joens, 39th LD House
• Debra Lekanoff, 40th LD House
• Alex Ramel, 40th LD House
• Sandy Perkins, Skagit County Auditor
• Melissa Beaton, Skagit County Clerk
• Jackie Brunson, Skagit County Treasurer
• Don McDermott, Skagit County Sheriff
• Lisa Janicki, Skagit County Commission
• Germaine Kornegay, Skagit County PUD Commission
• Jennifer Howson, Skagit County District Court Judge

6. Primary Election Information
Click Here for the Skagit County Auditor’s website.

• Dates:
  • July 13 – Domestic ballots mailed
  • July 25 – Deadline to register or update existing registration online and by mail
  • August 2 – Deadline for in-person registration and voter updates – Closes 8:00 PM
  • August 2 – Primary Election – Closes 8:00 PM
• Ballot Box Locations (NOTE: Ballot Boxes are not yet open)
  • Anacortes
    • Anacortes Public Library (behind library near drive-up book-drop), 1220 10th Street
    • Skyline Beach Club, 6041 Sands Way
  • Burlington?
    • Burlington Parks and Recreation Building, 900 East Fairhaven Street
  • Concrete
    • Skagit Upriver Services/Library, 45770 A Main Street
  • La Conner
    • La Conner Regional Library, 614 East Morris Street
  • Mount Vernon?
    • Mount Vernon Police Department, 1805 Continental Place
    • Skagit County Auditor’s Office [Courthouse], 700 S. 2nd Street (in U-shaped parking lot accessed from 3rd St. near Kincaid)?
  • Sauk-Suiattle
    • Last Chance Casino & Bingo, 6020 Mountain Goat Way, Darrington
  • Sedro-Woolley
    • Sedro-Woolley Post Office, 111 Woodworth Street (in alley between Eastern Ave and Metcalf)
  • Swinomish
    • Social Services Building (in front), 17337 Reservation Road
• Click Here to access the online Voter’s Pamphlets
• Click Here for information on Registering to Vote

7. Candidate Signs available at Headquarters, 2021 East College Way, Suite 104, Mount Vernon, 360-336-1555
“Skagit County Democrats currently has candidate yard signs in our office. Come support your candidates by putting up yard signs. We are closed Mon July 4, but otherwise our office hours are Mon through Thursday noon to 4:00 p.m.”

8. UPDATED – Enjoy this year’s Skagit County Democrat’s Gala & Auction!
“This year’s Gala & Auction, themed “Ensuring Democracy Together,” will occur on Saturday, October 8th, at the Swinomish Casino and Lodge. Hillary Franz, State Commissioner of Public Lands, is our headliner. Festivities start at 4:00 with a Candidate Meet & Greet, to be followed by a buffet with options for all appetites. Silent and Live Auctions cap the evening of fun and camaraderie.

You may secure a seat or table online under Donate at SkagitDemocrats.org. In the Purpose box at the bottom of the Donation Page, enter “Gala” and the number of seats being purchased. In-person payments can be made at 2021 E. College Way, Suite 104, Mount Vernon, from 12:00-4:00 Monday-Thursday. An individual seat is $75, a table for eight is $600.

We are accepting Silent and Live auction donations into the Fall. You may drop them off at Headquarters or request an item be picked up by emailing staff@skagitdemocrats.org. The more desirable auction items, the more opportunities for all to participate. Thank you in advance.

ATTENTION: Gala 2022 needs volunteers to help with several activities to make the event the huge success we want it to be, before and after as well as during. If you wish to help, please email us at SkagitDemocrats.org and put ‘Volunteer for Gala 2022’ in the subject line. Thank you!”
   
9. Skagit County Democrats continues to mandate facemasks at our Headquarters Office

10. NEW – Why everyone with a uterus, and those who love them, must vote in November – Guest Editorial from Susan McLoud
“When the Supreme Court threw out 50 years of precedent in the Dobbs decision, and abortion was no longer a right for those who can conceive, some of my family and friends said we’d be fine in Washington, because those things are protected here. Well, those are some pretty thick rose-colored glasses.  

First, there is no guarantee that Washington will continue to be a Democrat-led state. The margin in the Legislature is thin as a blade of grass, and a better candidate than Culp could beat our governor candidate easily. If you don’t believe that, get out of the cities and drive around the countryside during election season…just look at the signs. And Republican members of the current government have handfuls of bills ready to go, ending a woman’s right to choose. Our state’s abortion protection is not in its constitution, so it can be overturned.

Second, it’s not just the need for abortion care but also for so many other reasons including ectopic pregnancy, failed pregnancy, spontaneous miscarriage, as well as choice. Need birth control pills or an IUD? Maybe, maybe not. Take methotrexate for lupus, Crohn’s disease, or rheumatoid arthritis? Nope, not any more, at least if you’re female. Finished having kids, or choose not to have any, and you’d like a tubal ligation? Remember how many of our hospitals are owned by the Catholic Church. Now the rest of them might not do it either. Need a D&C for excessive bleeding? Nope. Want to use IVF to grow your family? Likely not.

And last, there’s Clarence Thomas’ closing threat…saying maybe the Court needs to take another look at birth control, “sodomy”, gay marriage, and any other thing the Christian Nationalists don’t like.

The only way to beat back this tide of wanna-be theocracy is to make sure Washington’s government, from the governor down to the city council, stays Democratic. The only way to make that happen is to VOTE. Vote in every election. Check with your family, friends and neighbors to be sure they vote. Check again to be sure they mail the ballot.

Our freedom depends on it.”

11. NEW – Links of the Week
The Links of the Week provide in-depth pieces and resources the Editor has found to be relevant, insightful, and thorough on important issues of the day.

• The End of Magic Money – Inflation and the Future of Economic Stimulus
• The BA.5 Wave Is What COVID Normal Looks Like
• Personal Firearm Storage in the United States
• Right-Wing Think Tank Family Research Council Is Now a Church in Eyes of the IRS
• Texas’ Precarious Power Grid Exposes a Nasty Feedback Loop

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COMMUNITY EVENTS

1. NEW – 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
“On July 16, 2022, you can call, text, or chat 988 to be connected to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL). It will be confidential, free, and available 24/7/365. Services will be available in Spanish, along with interpretation services in over 250 languages. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, and TTY users: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 1-800-273-8255.

You can dial 988 if you are having:

• Thoughts of suicide.
• Mental health crises.
• Substance use crises.
• Any other kind of emotional distress.

You can also dial 988 if you are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.” Click Here for more information.

2. NEW – Skagit County Burn Ban Took Effect Saturday, Jul 16
Click Here for more information.

3. Skagit County will be hosting a Guemes Island Public Open House on Thursday, July 28 from 3:00pm – 5:00pm, Continental Hearing Room, Skagit County Continental Building, 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon
This event is free and open to the public. Attendees may participate in person or via Zoom. Click Here for more information.

4. UPDATED – COVID-19 Information
Current Skagit County Information – The following is taken from the Skagit County COVID-19 Update of Jul 6



Click Here for the full report and resources.
 

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Anacortes Sunday Demonstrations
Democrats are again demonstrating in Anacortes each Sunday, 12:00pm – 1:00pm at the corner of 12th Street and Commercial Avenue. “We carry signs for Dem candidates, get out and vote signs, women’s right-to-chose in healthcare and so on and so on. We need more people to show up.”

2. Coffee & Cards is BACK! Wednesdays, 10:00am, Skagit County Democrats Headquarters, 2021 East College Way, Suite 104, Mount Vernon
“Are you looking for a way to make a positive contribution to our democracy while enjoying the company of others? Coffee and Cards is starting up again on Wednesdays from 10-11 am. This is a group that was previously led by Carol Sullivan (who sadly moved away) and is a way for us to express ourselves about issues of importance to us all.  

We will write messages of encouragement and support to people who are making positive contributions as well as messages of concern and opposition to people who are negatively impacting our world. This includes legislators on the local, state, and federal level as well as CEOs of corporations and other people having a significant impact in our world. We will share ideas for people to write to and issues to address.  

Postcards and stamps will be provided, but we ask that people bring money to cover the cost of the postcard stamps which are currently $.40 (and will be going up to $.44 in the summer). Coffee will be provided or bring your own. As Carol always reminded us, “We are stronger together.” Our office is located at 2021 East College Way, Suite 104, 360-336-1555.”
 

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