News from the Skagit County Democrats

Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for July 29, 2024

DEMOCRATIC EVENTS

1. NEW – Election Observers needed this week
Please consider taking a 1.5-hour shift. It is important that we be there to witness the integrity of the process. No special skills required! Contact staff@skagitdemocrats.org for more information and to sign up.

2. NEW – Volunteers needed to staff our Skagit County Democrats Booth at the Skagit County Fair, Thursday – Sunday, Aug 8 – 11, Skagit County Fairgrounds, 501 Taylor Street, Mount Vernon
We need volunteers to staff our booth all 4 days, 4-hour shifts (10:00am – 2:00pm, 2:00pm – 6:00pm, 6:00pm – 10:00pm). In addition, we need volunteers to help set up Wednesday, Aug 7, 2:00pm – 6:00pm and to take down, Monday, Aug 12, 10:00am – 2:00pm. A sign-up online form is being developed and links will soon be posted on both our Facebook, and website.

Our presence at the Skagit County Fair is one of our most important and most visible outreaches to the community, especially in an election year. We also frequently register a lot of voters during the Fair. Any help you can provide will pay real dividends! For questions, contact staff@skagitdemocrats.org or call our Headquarters at 360-336-1555.

3. NEW – The Fidalgo Democrats will not meet in the month of August
The next scheduled meeting will be Tuesday, Sep 10.

Click Here to view the most recent meeting, "How does our Court System work?" of Jul 9.

4. Richard Brocksmith, candidate for District 2 Skagit County Commissioner has campaign opportunities

• Doorbelling – options for volunteering can be found at https://www.facebook.com/electbrocksmith/
• Got a good sign location? Small yard signs or bigger 2'x4' signs for busier roadways. Contact electrbrocksmith@gmail.com
• "Host a meet and greet with your friends for a fun hour of chatting about the future of Skagit County. I will travel anywhere anytime to chat with people! It doesn't have to be complicated."
• Make a donation – Click Here.

5. NEW – Zoom training opportunity – "How to Knock Doors and use MiniVAN", Wednesday, Jul 31, 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Skagit Democrats is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom training – Click Here – Meeting ID: 871 4769 8370, Passcode: 971479.

6. NEW – The next scheduled Skagit County Democrats Executive Board meeting is Thursday, Aug 8, 6:30pm – 8:00pm, via Zoom
Click Here for the Zoom link.

7. NEW – Yard Sign Etiquette
As election season heats up, it is crucial to be mindful of proper yard sign etiquette to ensure we all show respect for our community while supporting our candidates. Here are some helpful do's and don'ts to keep in mind:

• DO:
  • Place signs on your own property or with the permission of the property owner.
  • Ensure signs are set back from roadways to avoid obstructing visibility or traffic.
  • Remove signs within 10 days after the election, as required by RCW 29A.84.040.
• DON'T:
  • Place signs on public property, such as parks, medians, and sidewalks, or private property without permission from the property owner.
  • Block sidewalks, driveways, or other access points.
  • Put signs in areas that violate local zoning laws or homeowner association rules.

8. NEW – Primary Election Information – Ballots are due Tuesday, Aug 6
Skagit County Democrats Endorsed Candidates – Click Here for a listing and their respective websites.

Skagit County Official Local Voters’ Pamphlet – Click Here for the online version of the Voters' Pamphlet.

Vote "No" on all Initiatives – the Skagit County Democrats have recommended AGAINST all 3 statewide initiatives. They are:

• Initiative 2109 would repeal the state’s new tax on capital gains on certain investment profits of more than $250,000 annually. Click Here for a Fact Sheet.
• Initiative 2117 would repeal the state’s 2021 Climate Commitment Act, which requires oil refineries and other major greenhouse gas emitters to pay for pollution permits and reduce emissions over time. Click Here for a Fact Sheet.
• Initiative 2124 would allow people to opt out of a .58% payroll tax that funds a long-term care insurance benefit of up to $36,500 per person. Click Here for a Fact Sheet.

Here are the upcoming dates of significance (from the Skagit County Auditor's website).

• July 17 – Domestic ballots mailed
• July 29 – Deadline to register or update existing registration online and by mail (Click Here for voter registration information.)
• August 6 – Deadline for in-person registration and voter updates – Closes 8:00 PM
• August 6 – Primary Election – Closes 8:00 PM
• August 13 – Canvassing Board Meeting, Initial Review – 1:30 PM
• August 20 – Primary Election Certification – 1:30 PM

Ballot Drop-Box Locations (Click Here for a map.)

• 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 Road
• 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 Street
• Hamilton
  • Fire District 8/Punkin Center Station, 34041 State Route 20
• La Conner
  • La Conner 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) 700 South 2nd Street, Room 201
• Sauk-Suiattle
  • (Last Chance Casino & Bingo), 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

Washington State Secretary of State Voter Information Portal – Confirms your registration status, address, and other information.

9. PCO Recruitment
We need more PCOs for the 2022-2024 biennial to help us Get Out the Vote in this critical election year and to help us build a strong Skagit County and 10th, 39th, and 40th Legislative District Party Organizations. You can get involved in a big way by becoming a PCO.

• Step 1: Find Your Precinct. You can use the Skagit County iMap to find your precinct.
• Step 2: Check the list of vacant precincts.
• Step 3: Application: complete this form for Skagit County and email chair@skagitdemocrats.org.

10. Rocio Lopez is requesting assistance to attend the National Democratic Convention in Chicago
Rocio has been elected to be an At Large Delegate to the Convention, Aug 19 – 22. Click Here to see Rocio's GoFundMe page.

11. 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.

• Where J.D. Vance Gets His Weird, Terrifying Techno-Authoritarian Ideas
• Thousands of low-income WA families qualify for a tax credit they aren’t claiming
• Neil deGrasse Tyson leaves people stunned with mind-blowing fact that tides never 'come in and out'
• Sam Altman's Basic-Income Study Is Out. Here's What It Found
• New study ranks Washington among states with the least amount of road rage

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COMMUNITY EVENTS

1. NEW – 63rd Annual Anacortes Arts Festival, Friday – Sunday, Aug 2 – 4, various locations
Click Here for the Anacortes Art Festival Guide.

2. NEW – La Conner Classic Boat & Car Show, Saturday, Aug 3, 10:00am – 3:00pm, La Conner Marina, North Second Street, La Conner

3. NEW – Up, Up Up Circus, Saturday, Aug 3, 4:00pm – 5:00pm, Edgewater Park, 600 Behrens Millet Road, Mount Vernon
"Up, Up, Up Inc. is a self-contained touring circus show performing from a portable stage truck with a collection of aerialists, musicians, acrobats, clowns & illusionists! This one-hour show will be whimsical, beautiful, hilarious & accessible for all ages. FREE!"

4. NEW – Stanwood-Camano Community Fair, Friday – Sunday, Aug 2 – 4, 6431 Pioneer Highway, Stanwood
Click Here for more information.

5. NEW – Call for Applications for the Skagit County Planning Commission
The Planning Commission works with the Planning and Development Services Department and advises the Department and the Board of County Commissioners on proposed land use plans and regulations in unincorporated Skagit County. The Planning Commission consists of nine members (three from each Commissioner District) and usually meets twice monthly in Mount Vernon at the Commissioners Administrative Building. Click Here for more information.

6. Whole Washington is having an online Town Hall regarding their push for the Washington Health Trust (SB 5335)
“It’s a Wrap!” Town Hall Finale, Tuesday, Jul 30, 7:00pm – 8:30pm – A link to attend this virtual event will be emailed upon RSVP.

7. NEW – Skagit County Proclaimed August Breastfeeding Month
"On Tuesday, July 23rd, the Skagit Board of County Commissioners declared August as Breastfeeding Month in Skagit County. The Skagit County Lactation Coalition delivered a presentation during Tuesday’s proclamation hearing highlighting the health benefits of breastfeeding for both baby and parent, while also calling attention to barriers that exist in our community that may impede a parent’s breastfeeding journey." Click Here to view the proclamation.

8. UPDATED – The monthly Planned Parenthood for August has been cancelled
"We will be back in September! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to your volunteer leader, Debbie via email debbiegrant01@gmail.com. Thank you!"

9. Safe and Sane Skagit is participating in the "National Night Out" , Tuesday, Aug 6, 4:00pm – 6:00pm, Storvik Park, 1110 32nd Street, Anacortes
"National Night Out is an annual campaign that promotes community through partnerships among local civic groups and local police departments across the country. It’s a family-oriented fun evening and this year SaSS will be participating with the Anacortes Police Department on Tuesday evening, August 6. We’ll have a table promoting safe firearm storage and will give away firearm lock boxes and trigger locks along with SaSS branded information on firearm safety."

10. Road Work to Start on Old Highway 99 N July 16th through July 30th
"Starting July 16th, contractors will be grinding and paving Old Highway 99 N between Dahlstedt Road and the Samish River Bridge. Work hours are from 9:00am to 9:00pm on weekdays with no weekend work anticipated. This project is expected to be complete in ten working days on July 30th."

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. 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 $.53. 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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