News from the Skagit County Democrats
Posted on October 15th, 2023
Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for October 16, 2023
DEMOCRATIC EVENTS
The Skagit County Democrats stand in solidarity with the UAW strike
1. UPDATED – The 10th Legislative District Democrats the last General Meeting before the election, Saturday, Oct 21, 10:00am, via Zoom
This meeting will be Zoom only. Click Here to register for the meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. "Clyde Shavers will join us as well as Judge Patrick Moriarty. We also hope that Dave Paul, Rick Larsen, Suzan DelBene, and Kim Shrier can join us as well. The agenda and minutes from our last meeting will be sent next week. I can tell you that we will be voting on funding for some of our endorsed candidates."
2. NEW – Skagit County Democrats are meeting and doorbelling with the Unions on Sunday, Oct 22, 1:00pm – 4:00, meeting at the Union Hall, 1510 North 18th Street, Mount Vernon
"All PCOs and members we need you! We will doorbell in pairs and provide you with walk lists, and scripts. Let's work hard together to get our candidates elected while showing support for our unions!"
3. The League of Women Voters of Skagit County upcoming candidate forums
- October 16, 6:15 to 8:30 PM
- League of Women Voters Candidate Forum
- School District Candidates for: La Conner, Mount Vernon, and Sedro-Woolley
- Where: Skagit PUD 1415 Freeway Drive, Mount Vernon, WA 98273
- Register Here to watch the forum via Zoom
4. NEW – The Fidalgo Democrats video of the Forum for candidates for Anacortes City Council and Anacortes School Board, Tuesday October 3 is now available
Click Here for the video.
5. Virtual Training Event – "Reach Your People: Organizing with Content", Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays into November, 4:00pm (+ one at 12:00pm)
"About this event: We’re building an organizing program around a simple principle: that our supporters are the best advocates with the closest people in their lives. Every single member of this team will play a role in ensuring the people closest to us know what's at stake for our families and for our country. That means having conversations directly with our friends, our families, and sharing key campaign messaging and content within our communities online. This training will teach you how to access and utilize digital content to organize for President Joe Biden and Democrats up and down the ballot using our new tool, Reach." Click Here to enroll.
6. November 7 General Election Information
Below are significant dates from the Skagit County Auditor's Office concerning our upcoming General Election on Nov 7
- September 22 – Military and Overseas ballots mailed
- October 2 – Accessible Voting Unit test – 10:00 AM
- October 2 – Official Logic & Accuracy test – 1:00 PM
- October 18 – Domestic ballots mailed
- October 30 – Deadline to register or update existing registration online and by mail
- November 7 – Deadline for in-person registration and voter updates – Closes 8:00 PM
- November 7 – General Election – Closes 8:00 PM
- November 21 – Canvassing Board Meeting, Initial Review – 1:30 PM
- November 28 – General Election Certification – 1:30 PM
Felony Convictions and Voting Rights – Effective January 1st, 2022, if you were convicted of a felony in Washington State, another state, or in federal court, your right to vote will be restored automatically as long as you are not currently serving a DOC sentence of total confinement in prison. Click Here for more information.
7. The League of Women Voters of Skagit County has recently updated their listing of elected officials from national down to local offices
Click Here for the list.
8. Theft of Campaign Signs
"Theft of campaign signs is a crime. A candidate has had their signs stolen 3 days in a row and other candidates are experiencing the same thing. If you have a tile, air tag, or other trackers, put them in/on your sign or put the signs in front of cameras (i.e., Ring doorbell cams). Write down a license plate if you see someone stealing a sign. Charges will be filed as the thief is quite literally stealing freedom of speech."
9. 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.
- We spoke to older voters about Trump and Biden's age. We saw 3 recurring themes
- Are terrorists trying to enter the U.S. through the southern border? Here are the facts
- History of banned books
- Why being uncertain is a hidden strength
- Amazon sellers say they made a good living — until Amazon figured it out
COMMUNITY EVENTS
1. NEW – Spooky Mount Vernon Planned Parenthood Sign waving, Saturday, Oct 28, 11:00am – 12:00pm, Mount Vernon MBPP Health Center, 1805 East Division Street, Mount Vernon
Come in Halloween costume or not – we'll have extra signs and swag available. Our regularly scheduled monthly sign-waving for November will be the following Saturday, 11/4. Bring your friends, neighbors, and family – we'll see you there! Sign up here – Spooky Mount Vernon Planned Parenthood Sign waving (weareplannedparenthood.org).
2. Concrete Ghost Walk 2023, Saturdays, Oct 21 and 28, 7:00pm – 9:00pm, Concrete Theatre, 45920 Main Street, Concrete
"Join us this month for stories of love, loss, murder, and mayhem at the 17th annual Concrete Ghost Walk. You’ll be guided on a walking tour through our historic Town Center, pausing to learn about ghostly visitations, local lore, and things that go bump in the night." For ages 16 and up. Tickets are required in advance, not available at the door. Click Here for tickets.
3. NEW – Skagit County Public Health Will Be Relocating
"At the end of October, Skagit County Public Health will be relocating to 301 Valley Mall Way, Suite 110 near the intersection of East College Way and Riverside Drive in Mount Vernon. During the transition to the new space, Skagit County Public Health will be closed to the public on October 31, 2023, and November 1, 2023. Services will resume at the new location on Thursday, November 2, 2023." Click Here for a map of the new location.
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. UPDATED – Coffee & Cards, Wednesdays, 10:00am – 12:00pm, Skagit County Democrats Headquarters, 2021 East College Way, Suite 104, Mount Vernon
"ALLIANCE FOR GUN RESPONSIBILITY GUEST AT COFFEE AND CARDS
A representative from the Alliance for Gun Responsibility will be joining Coffee and Cards on Wednesday, October 25! Together we will write cards for Alliance endorsed candidates around Washington State. Alex Castro, Alliance Field Organizer, and/or Hazel Brown, Policy and Advocacy Manager, will be there and will be happy to share what the Alliance has been up to and take questions.
The Alliance is the most effective Gun Violence Prevention organization in Washington State, with a huge success record. Formed after the Sandy Hook tragedy in 2012 when 20 children and six adults were killed and lawmakers did nothing. It’s not a stretch to say it’s largely responsible for making WA State a leader in responsible gun laws.
Since its founding, the Alliance has led a statewide coalition of citizens and supporters to get three GVP ballot initiatives and subsequently several responsible gun laws passed when lawmakers wouldn't. Today many Washington lawmakers have heard the message and are now up to the task, with the Alliance backing them and continuing to demand sane gun laws.
Safe and Sane Skagit is a chapter affiliate of the Alliance."