News from the Skagit County Democrats
Posted on July 9th, 2023
Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for July 10, 2023
DEMOCRATIC EVENTS
1. NEW – Recruiting Observers for the August 1st Primary
Once again we need Observers for the Primary Election process. If you are interested, we could really use the help. Please contact Angela Napoliello-Ivory at staff@skagitdemocrats.org. Please indicate your preferred day of the week and if you prefer morning or afternoon. Recent experience would indicate our observers' presence is important given Republican attitudes and antics. Click Here for a copy of the 2023 Observer Guidelines from the Skagit County Auditor's Office.
2. The Fidalgo Democrats will meet Tuesday, Jul 11, 7:00pm, Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th Street, Anacortes
Todd Mitchell and Karen Mitchell will be our presenters. Todd Mitchell is the Swinomish Department of Environmental Protection Director. Karen Mitchell is a Senior Botanist with the Swinomish Tribe. They will be discussing the Swinomish environment actions and involvement and the local and regional concerns. Please plan on attending in person as the presentation will not be recorded. If you have any questions, please call Barbara Cooper 360-770-3506.
The most recent recording of the Fidalgo Democrats Special Meeting Primary Election Forum of Thursday Jul 6 is now available. Click Here for the recording.
3. NEW – Skagit County Democrats Endorsed Candidates for the August 1 Primary Election
The following candidates and positions have been approved for endorsement by the Skagit County Democrats:
- Hannah Oliver – Sedro-Woolley School Board
- Paul Cocke – Sedro-Woolley City Council
- Ashley Gregorious – Hospital District 304 Board
- Celia Ponce Sanchez – Burlington School Board
- Mary Hudson – Mount Vernon City Council
- Andrew Vander Stoep – Mount Vernon City Council
- Lucy Madrigal – Mount Vernon City Council
4. NEW – August 1st Primary Election Information (Taken from the Skagit County Auditor's Elections website)
The below is the Primary Election timeline:
- July 11 – Accessible Voting Unit test – 10:00 AM
- July 12 – Domestic ballots mailed
- July 18 – Official Logic & Accuracy test – 10:00 AM
- July 24 – Deadline to register or update existing registration online and by mail
- August 1 – Deadline for in-person registration and voter updates – Closes 8:00 PM
- August 1 – Primary Election – Closes 8:00 PM
- August 8 – Canvassing Board Meeting, Initial Review – 1:30 PM
- August 15 – Primary Election Certification – 1:30 PM
Below is a listing of the Ballot Drop-Box Locations – Drop-box pickup will start Jul 17. (Not all boxes will be open for every election. Boxes open for each election will be listed on the information wrap in your ballot packet. All locations that will be open for an election are open 20 days before Election Day and remain open 24 hours a day until 8:00PM Election Night.)
- Anacortes
- Anacortes Public Library (behind library near drive-up book-drop), 1220 10th Street
- Skyline Beach Club, 6041 Sands Way
- Bow Edison
- Fire District 5 Fire Station, 14304 West Bow Hill Rd
- Burlington
- Burlington Parks and Recreation Building (north side of Fairhaven Ave parking lot), 900 East Fairhaven Street
- Conway
- Conway Fire Department, 21020 Greenfield Street
- Concrete
- Skagit Upriver Services, 45770 Main S
- La Conner
- La Conner Library, 614 E. Morris Street
- Mount Vernon
- Mount Vernon Police Department, 1805 Continental Place
- Skagit County Auditor's Office [Courthouse] (in U-shaped parking lot accessed from 3rd Street near Kincaid), 700 South 2nd Street, Room 201
- Sauk-Suiattle
- 6020 Mountain Goat Way, Darrington
- Sedro-Woolley
- Sedro-Woolley Post Office (in alley between Eastern Ave and Metcalf), 111 Woodworth Street
- Swinomish
- Social Services Building, 17337 Reservation Road
5. NEW – A message from Washington State Democrats Chair Shasti Conrad (Friday News & Action of 07/07/2023)
"It may be hard to believe, but the August 1st Primary Election is less than one month away! That means ballots will be mailed out next week and we need every Democrat to show up and vote this August. Although local races like city councils and school boards don’t draw as much attention as their top of ticket counterparts, they are a critical component of growing Democratic power across Washington State!
Local elected officials create ground-level policy that can have massive impacts on the lives of people across Washington State – and it’s crucial we elect terrific Democrats who will fight for their constituents rather than far-right special interests. These leaders also constitute our “bench” of Democratic candidates statewide. Don’t forget, today’s school board member could be tomorrow’s governor and we can’t let a single great candidate slip through the cracks!
Please join me in wishing a huge thank you to every Democrat on the ballot this Primary season and an equally big thanks to all the terrific Party leaders and volunteers working tirelessly to make sure they have what it takes to win!"
6. 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.
- This is Not Neutrality
- Rand: Facts About the Effects of Gun Policies Are Elusive but Important
- Wall Street Recession: Stock Market Crash Predictions Are Wrong
- Biden reverses Trump's expansion of 'junk' health plans
- Tipping has gotten out of control: Three reasons behind tip-flation
COMMUNITY EVENTS
1. NEW – Anacortes Free Summer Concert Series, Wednesday & Friday, Jul 12 & 14, 6:00pm – 8:00pm, Seafarer’s Memorial Park, 601 Seafarers Way, Anacortes
2. NEW – Concrete Youth Activity Day, Thursday, Jul 13, 10:00am – 2:00pm, Silo Park, Concrete
Free event.
3. NEW – Riverwalk Concert, Thursday, Jul 13, 6:00pm – 8:00pm, Riverwalk Plaza, 501 South Main Street, Mount Vernon
Free event. "Dust off your lawn chairs and your picnic gear and come to Historic Downtown Mount Vernon for some memorable summer evenings! Imagine an informal crowd relaxing along the riverfront, listening and dancing to live music set against the backdrop of the Skagit River and a beautiful sunset."
4. Concrete Fly-In, Friday, Jul 14 – Sunday, Jul 16, Mears Field Airport, next to the Concrete School District grounds
5. Shipwreck Fest, Saturday, Jul 15, 8:00am, Commercial Avenue, Anacortes
"Forty years ago, our commercial fishermen sold their used gear as yard art on Commercial Ave. "Shipwreck" has evolved into a massive community garage sale including flea market and antique vendors . . . This event is family friendly and is organized by the Fidalgo Island Rotary Club. But, please leave your pet at home."
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Anacortes Sunday Demonstrations
Progressive folks regularly demonstrate each Sunday, 12:00pm – 1:00pm at the corner of 12th Street and Commercial Avenue in Anacortes. While this is not an official Skagit County Democrats activity, turnout is encouraged.
2. Coffee & Cards, Wednesdays, 10:00am – 12:00pm, Skagit County Democrats Headquarters, 2021 East College Way, Suite 104, Mount Vernon
Coffee and Cards meets on Wednesdays from 10:00am – 12:00pm. This is the group that was previously led by Carol Sullivan and is now lead quite capably by Judy Farrar. The group 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 $.44. 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, Mount Vernon, 360-336-1555."