News from the Skagit County Democrats
Posted on November 19th, 2023
Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for November 20, 2023
DEMOCRATIC EVENTS
1. NEW – The 39th Legislative District Democrats Executive Board meets Tuesday, Nov 21, 7:00pm – 8:30pm, via Zoom
Click Here to Register for the Zoom link.
2. NEW – House Unanimously Passes Larsen-DelBene Bill to Add Mount Vernon [Federal] Court Location to Western District of Washington
"The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed H.R. 786, bipartisan legislation introduced by Representatives Rick Larsen (WA-02), Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Tony Gonzalez (TX-23) that would add Mount Vernon as a court location in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington . . . " Click Here for the full article.
3. The Skagit County Democrats Headquarters Office will be closed over the Thanksgiving Holiday
The office will be closed Wednesday, Nov 22 through the rest of the week. We will reopen on Monday, Nov 27.
4. Message from our Skagit County Democrats Outreach Committee
MOUNT VERNON HOLIDAY PARADE
This year, Skagit County Democrats will again walk in the Mount Vernon Holiday Parade. The parade is scheduled for Sunday, December 3, 5:00PM to 6:00PM. We will gather at 4:15PM in the area of the current library located at 315 Snoqualmie Street where it intersects Cleveland Avenue. We do not yet know our position in the parade line up, so you may need to search a bit; we will check in at the library corner to be sure to find everyone. This is an event that shines the light on Skagit County Democrats and provides an opportunity for us to be visible to the people we support. Our experience has been positive with citizens applauding our presence in the parade. We encourage you to bring your friends and families. Children are especially welcome!
Skagit County Democrats will again distribute 400 small flags to children along the parade route. This year we are seeking a truck/classic car/other vehicle type to accompany us. If you are willing to participate with your vehicle we would like to talk with you.
Please email Charles Ivory, Outreach Committee chairperson, cmivory69@gmail.com, to let us know to expect you at the parade and to let us know if you have a vehicle you could drive in the parade. The Holiday Parade is about LIGHT, so bring whatever lights you may have to light our way. The parade lasts only one hour, so please join us in this community event!
5. NEW – A message from Skagit County Democrats Chair, Lynn Campbell (dated 11/16/23)
"Good afternoon, members, executive board, and candidates,
Many of you have expressed concern over the election results for Lucy Madrigal running for Mount Vernon City Council and Christina Jepperson running for Sedro-Woolley School Board.
Despite the slight lead their opposing candidates have, please rest assured there are still steps to be taken. First, this slight lead means a mandated recount done by and paid for by the Auditor's office. Also, they will be running duplicates this afternoon, and tomorrow morning, they still have another 200 ballots to process.
Secondly, we will contact every Democrat in the districts of the candidates who have ballots that were rejected, either because their signature does not match the one on file (our signatures change over time) or they simply forgot to sign their ballots. In both cases the ballots are still legal if they are “cured” by having the voters sign a ballot signature cure form and submit it to the Auditor's Office.
Last but not least, the results will be certified on November 28.
If you want to participate in the Ballot curing process, please contact Brenda Cunningham at nativegarden@fidalgo.net. There will be a team in Sedro-Woolley for Christina Jepperson and a team in Mount Vernon for our City Council race.
We never despair because we are Stronger Together!
Thank you in advance for your willingness to participate in democracy!
Respectfully, Lynn"
6. NEW – Want to check your Ballot Status?
Click Here to open the Voter Portal. Enter your Registered Voter Name and Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY). In the left-hand menu, select My Ballot. Then select Ballot Status. The bottom two lines will tell you the date your ballot was received and whether or not it was accepted.
7. 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.
- At its two-year anniversary, the bipartisan infrastructure law continues to rebuild all of America
- The Supreme Court Has Adopted a Conduct Code, but Who Will Enforce It?
- Public Schools Were Not Inevitable
- The Social Gospel movement is changing our politics and reshaping our perspectives
- Who's to blame for climate change? New report doesn't hold back
COMMUNITY EVENTS
1. November is National American Indian Heritage Month
Click Here for a listing of Native American Museums & Cultural Centers. The state of Washington celebrates Native American Heritage Day on the Friday immediately following the fourth Thursday in November (Nov 24).
2. NEW – Skagit Regional Health Foundation's 35th Annual Festival of Trees – Family Festival Days, Saturday, Nov 25, 1:00pm – 5:00pm and Sunday, 10:00am – 2:00pm, Saint Joseph Center, 215 North 15th Street, Mount Vernon
"Kick off the holiday season and enjoy viewing the elaborately decorated Christmas trees while listening to live musical entertainment. Purchase designed holiday wreaths and buy raffle tickets for a chance to win a beautifully adorned Christmas tree. Entry at the door is $5 per person. Children under 2 are complimentary."
3. NEW – Mount Vernon hosts Small Business Saturday, Nov 25, 6:00am – 10:00pm, Downtown Mount Vernon
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."