News from the Skagit County Democrats
Posted on July 25th, 2022
Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for July 25, 2022
DEMOCRATIC EVENTS
1. NEW – Be Sure to Vote – The Primary and ballot deadline is a week from Tuesday!
2. 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.
3. NEW – 40th Legislative District Rally and Fundraiser for Alex Ramel with Special Guest Jay Inslee, Wednesday Jul 27, 6:00pm – 6:45pm, via Zoom
From Skagit County Democrats Chair Lynn Campbell, "Skagit County Democrats are . . . co-hosting an online rally and fundraiser for Alex Ramel and we will be joined by Governor Jay Inslee . . . Co-hosts include Senator Liz Lovelett and Rep. Debra Lekanoff as well as Mayor Jill Boudreau, Council Members Anthony Young and Ryan Walters, Jay Julius, Lynn Campbell, Rebecca Lewis, Lane Anliker, Jennifer Wright and Heather Ewing.
I hope you will consider joining us. You can RSVP here.
Alex has been a champion in the legislature for many of the things I care most about, including turning the tide on climate change and confronting our housing crisis. He's been an effective leader and I hope you will join me in helping to reelect him. Furthermore, Alex has been a great help to Skagit County Democrats, and has dedicated much of his time assisting us by helping our democrat candidates in the 10th. He has personally reached out to both candidates and assisted with doorbelling and hosting fundraisers for both Candidates. Alex is a true democrat who works with democrats and is committed to helping us grow in Skagit County and in the 40th LD. I am proud that Skagit County Democrats have endorsed Alex Ramel."
4. NEW – The 39th Legislative District Democrats will meet Sunday, Jul 31, 10:30am via Zoom
Click Here for the Zoom link.
5. NEW – Jessica Wadhams, candidate for 39th Legislative District Representative, is hosting multiple door knocking and other events
Click Here for a listing of upcoming events.
6. NEW – Fidalgo Democrats meeting videos available for review
- 40th Legislative District Representative Debra Lekanoff, Jul 12
- 40th Legislative District Senator Liz Lovelett, Jun 14
7. UPDATE – Election Observers
"Thank you to everyone who have volunteered to be an Election Observer. The response has been overwhelming. All the shifts are covered, and Angela is creating a list of people who are willing to step in as a substitute when needed. She will maintain the list of people who have already contacted her, whether they have observed or not, to be used for the General Election. So, if you are interested to be contacted for observing the election count this fall, please contact Angela Napoliello-Ivory at staff@skagitdemocrats.org. Thank you again to all of you who are willing to volunteer your time!"
8. 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
9. Primary Election Information
Click Here for the Skagit County Auditor's website.
- Dates:
- 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: All Ballot Box locations ARE NOW 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
- Anacortes
- Click Here to access the online Voter's Pamphlets
- Click Here for information on Registering to Vote
10. 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!"
11. Skagit County Democrats continues to mandate facemasks at our Headquarters Office
12. NEW – A message from Washington State Democrats Chair Tina Podlodowski
"Republican-led voter intimidation efforts are in full swing statewide. Right now, people are being recruited to watch drop boxes — a continued effect of Donald Trump’s “Big Lie.” It’s disappointing, but ultimately, not surprising, as we’ve seen them deploy similar tactics nationally.
In King County, Republicans went as far as posting signs at drop boxes, stating the area was under surveillance and asking people to report anything “suspicious” to the KC GOP’s website.
The “Big Lie” is just that, a big lie. Washington’s election system is not only fair and accessible, but secure. Time and again, they fail to provide any real proof of fraud. Drop-box surveillance is textbook voter intimidation, pure and simple, and it needs to end. Drop boxes remain a safe place to deposit a completed ballot, that hasn’t changed no matter what they claim.
This is why we have actively called upon the Washington State GOP to rebuke these efforts. We must do everything in our power to fight back against any effort to cast doubt on the validity of our electoral institutions and weaken our democracy, which only thrives when people vote.
This is also exactly why we have our Voter Protection hotline at 206-309-VOTE (8683). Our team is ready to assist folks with any questions or concerns, and we will do all we can to ensure every voter gets the help and support they need to cast their ballot.
If you see any drop-box surveillance efforts in your area, report it there as well. And if you have a legal background and some time, we could use your volunteer help with our stellar Voter Protection team; contact data@wa-democrats.org to join.
But most importantly, if you haven’t mailed in your ballot yet, make sure you do so ASAP! Our terrific Democrats need your support in the primary. The clock is ticking — don’t delay, vote today!"
13. 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 moment for EVs: Strategies to transform American roads
- Environmental Racism: How Historic Redlining Continues to Affect Communities
- First Polio Case in U.S. Since 2013 Detected in New York State – Experts warn that the virus poses a health risk to unvaccinated communities
- American Rebels at Sea
- The Problem Child of Europe, By Dorothy Thompson, April 1940
COMMUNITY EVENTS
1. NEW – The Art of Rebellion: Social Justice and Chicana/Chicana Visual Arts, Thursday, Jul 28, 6:00pm – 7:00pm, Burlington Library, 820 East Washington Avenue, Burlington
"In this talk, Chicano artist Jake Prendez traces the history of social justice art, from the rise of Mexican muralism to its influence on American artwork from the civil rights era and the modern era. Explore how the means of production and new technologies made art accessible worldwide, and join Prendez as he deconstructs his own artwork to show how it relates to this greater narrative. Brought to you by Humanities WA."
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. UPDATED – COVID-19 Information
Current Skagit County Information – The following is taken from the Skagit County COVID-19 Update of Jul 19
Click Here for the full report and resources.
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."