News from the Skagit County Democrats

Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for October 23, 2023

DEMOCRATIC EVENTS

1. NEW – The 39th Legislative District Democrats General Membership Meeting is Sunday, Oct 29, 7:00pm, via Zoom
Click Here to register for the meeting. Click Here for the meeting agenda.

2. NEW – Re-election Reception for 2nd Congressional Representative Rick Larsen, Friday, Oct 27, 5:30pm – 7:00pm, District Brewing, 520 Mail Street, Mount Vernon
Hosted by Jake Johnston & Mayor Jill Boudreau. Hear about the latest in politics, what the 2024 cycle will look like, and his work as the Ranking Member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Click Here to register.

3. NEW – Skagit Democrats business emails to Lynn Campbell need to be addressed to: chair@skagitdemocrats.org
Lynn has requested that all emails addressed to her related to Skagit Democrats should be addressed to the above email address. This allows her to differentiate between personal business and Skagit Democrats business. In addition, it allows more appropriate sharing within the organization. Finally, it is consistent with our organization's commitment to Role-Based communication and management.

4. 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. UPDATED – November 7 General Election Information
THE BALLOTS HAVE BEEN MAILED! Ballots are due November 7

Skagit County Democrats Endorsed Candidates

• Ashley Gregorious, Hospital Commission District 304
• Mary Hudson, Mount Vernon City Council, Ward 3
• Lucy Madrigal, Mount Vernon City Council, Ward 1
• Andrew Vander Stoep, Mount Vernon City Council, Ward 2
• Paul Cocke, Sedro Woolley City Council, Ward 5
• Hannah Oliver, Sedro Woolley School Board
• Celia Ponce Sanchez, Burlington-Edison School Board

Skagit County Democrats Recommended Candidates

• Heather Brennan, Anacortes School Board
• Bonnie Bowers, Anacortes Port Commissioner, Position 4
• TJ Fantini, Anacortes City Council, Position 3, Ward 3
• Laura Flores Cailloux, Mount Vernon School Board
• Christina Jepperson, Sedro-Woolley School Board

Skagit County Auditor's Office
Phone: 360-416-1702
Email: scelections@co.skagit.wa.us
Mail: P.O. Box 1306, Mount Vernon, WA 98273
Website: www.skagitcounty.net/elections

Ballot Drop-Box Locations (open for this election)

• 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
• Concrete
  • Skagit Upriver Services, 45770 Main Street
• Conway
  • Conway Fire Department, 21020 Greenfield Street
• Hamilton
  • Fire District 8/Punkin Center Station, 34041 State Route 20
• 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], (in U-shaped parking lot accessed from 3rd St. near Kincaid), 700 South 2nd Street, Room 201
• Sauk-Suiattle
  • Sauk-Suiattle Reservation, 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

Below are significant dates concerning our 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.

• Despite claims of thousands, here's how many improper voter registrations Skagit County Elections has found
• At Least 14,000 Licensed Childcare Centers Are Behind on Inspections
• A Supreme Court dispute over a $15,000 IRS bill may be aimed at a never-enacted tax on billionaires
• How Toyota's 745-mile Solid-State Batteries Differ From Lithium-ion Batteries
• Sick of Cancel Culture? One Man Has a Surprising Solution

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COMMUNITY EVENTS

1. NEW – Skagit Legal Aid and Civil Survival are jointly hosting a special Legal Financial Obligation (LFO) Mass Assistance Day leading up to a special Skagit County Superior Court hearing on October 25
Click Here for more information.

2. NEW – National Drug Take-Back Day, Saturday, Oct 28, 10:00am – 2:00pm, Sedro-Woolley City Hall, 325 Metcalf Street, Sedro-Woolley
Sponsored by Sedro-Woolley RISE, safely dispose of your unused, unwanted and expired medication.

3. 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).

4. Concrete Ghost Walk 2023, Saturdays, Oct 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.

5. 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.
 

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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 led quite capably by Judy Farrar and Judith Chilcote. 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 $.51. 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."
 

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