News from the Skagit County Democrats

Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for September 30, 2024

DEMOCRATIC EVENTS

1. NEW – Vice Presidential Debate Viewing Party, Tuesday, Oct 1
"This Tuesday, at 6:00PM, Coach Walz is taking on JD Vance in the only Vice Presidential Debate. There is going to be a Harris/Walz campaign approved house party for the debate right here in Mount Vernon beginning at 5:30! You are all invited to attend and invited to bring anybody that you want with you. Food and drink will be provided. While we are asking for donations to ensure we elect Vice President Harris and Governor Walz, we hope everybody attends, regardless of ability to donate. Donations can be made here.

Please RSVP to Kati Durkin at (208) 585-1843. Address will be provided upon RSVP. Hope to see you all there on Tuesday!"

The debate may be viewed Tuesday, 6:00pm on major channels, including PBS.

2. Meet & Support Janet St. Clair for 10th Legislative District Senator, Wednesday, OCT 2, 5:30pm – 7:00pm, Temperate Habits Brewing, 500 South 1st Street, Mount Vernon
"Hosted By Mayor Peter Donovan, Former Mayor Jill Boudreau, Comm'r Lisa Janicki, Sen. Liz Lovelett, Rep. Debra Lekanoff, Rep. Alex Ramel, CM. Richard Brocksmith, CM. Melissa Beaton, CM. Mary Hudson, CM. Andrew Vander Stoep, Lynn Campbell, and Alec McDougall. Janet is running to be the next State Senator for the 10th Legislative District. After a very strong primary showing, Janet is on track to flip this seat and bring our democratic values to Olympia. We hope you will take the time to stop by, meet Janet, and have your questions answered." Click Here to RSVP or email timothy@bluewavepolitics.com. Click Here for the flyer.

The St. Clair campaign has several more activities throughout the 10th Legislative District planned for the last month. Click Here to find the most current activities.

3. Meet & Greet Judge Cecily Hazelrigg, re-election candidate for Washington State Court of Appeals, Thursday, Oct 3, 5:00pm – 7:00pm, Skagit River Brewery, 404 South 3rd Street, Mount Vernon
Please RSVP to CecilyForCoa.com@gmail.com.

4. The Young Democrats of Skagit County host Pumpkin Carving, Saturday, Oct 5, 3:00pm, Hillcrest Park, 1717 South 13th Street, Mount Vernon
"Join the Young Democrats of Skagit County and carve some pumpkins! This is a very casual social event. No pumpkin carving or political experience necessary. We will have free pumpkins available to carve and take home but you are also welcome to bring your own. This event is for young people (35 and under) who are interested in politics but all are welcome. If you would like to donate pumpkins, carving tools or snacks please let us know!" Email address is: ydskagitcounty@gmail.com.

5. Candidate Forum for Skagit County Commissioners Positions in District 1 and 2 (sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Skagit County), Monday Oct 7, 5:30pm – 6:30pm, Skagit PUD, 1415 Freeway Drive, Mount Vernon
The forum includes:

• Candidates For District 1: Rylee Fleury and Ron Wesen
• Candidates For District 2: Richard Brocksmith and Peter Browning

In addition to the in-person event, a live broadcast will be conducted on KSVR 91.7 fm. Also an audio recording will be available on the League of Women Voters of Skagit County’s website. There will be an informal Candidate Meet and Greet at 5:00pm.

6. NEW – The Fidalgo Democats meet Tuesday, Oct 8, 7:00pm, Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th Street, Anacortes
"Join the Fidalgo Democrats on Tuesday, Oct 8th at 7:00 pm at the Anacortes Library. Calvin Jones, the Outreach Director for Defend Washington will be discussing Initiatives 2109, 2117, 2124, 2066 that are on the November ballot.  Who funded them, what impact they will have on taxes, climate change, and healthcare and why a no vote is so important.  There will be time for questions. Come early for coffee and cookies and social time. Barbara Cooper, Chair.  360 770-3506"

7. NEW – Women & Wine Wednesdays, beginning Wednesday, Oct 9, 5:00pm – 7:00pm, Skagit County Democrats Headquarters, 2021 East College Way, Mount Vernon
"Join us for an evening of wine, snacks, and phonebanking as we come together to make a real impact in the upcoming election. Our Women & Wine Wednesdays are the perfect way to unwind with friends while doing something powerful—helping to turn Washington even bluer!" Click Here to sign up!

8. NEW – Candidate Round Table Luncheon 2024, Thursday, Oct 10, 11:00am – 1:00pm, Seafarers' Memorial Park, 600 Seafarers Way Anacortes
Candidates scheduled include:

• 10th District Representative #1 seat – Clyde Shavers and Carrie Kennedy
• 10th District Senator seat – Ron Muzzall
• 40th District Senator seat – Liz Lovelett
• County Commissioner seat 1 – Ron Wesen and Rylee Fleury
• County Commissioner seat 2 – Peter Browning and Richard Brocksmith

"You will have an opportunity to ask questions and hear their views on topics that concern you. Please register by Monday, October 7th using the link below or by calling the Chamber office at (360) 293-7911. Fees/Admission: Chamber Members – $22; Non-Chamber Members – $25.  Lunch is not guaranteed if you do not pre-register." Click Here to register.

9. NEW – Skagit County Unveils New Elections Office; Announces Spanish Election Materials for November 2024 Election
"This past month, the Skagit County Auditor’s Office has officially moved the elections space from the second floor of the County’s Administration Building down to the first-floor hearing rooms that were generally underutilized until a large courtroom was established during the pandemic. The County has repurposed two of the three hearing rooms for Elections, which will include the third hearing room for Elections use in early 2026 after Superior Court has been consolidated in the Courthouse. The new space will be fully operational to process ballots for the November 5th presidential election."

Also, "Skagit County has additionally partnered with North Sound ACH to provide funding for election material translation through 2025. North Sound ACH will assist in distribution and outreach of these election materials to our Spanish speaking community. The Auditor's Office will now offer bilingual voter registration forms, local voters’ pamphlets with candidate information, and ballot instructions. The materials will also be available on our website in English and Spanish. “We have worked for a long time now to have election materials available for our Spanish-speaking community,” said Sandy Perkins, Skagit County Auditor. “Everyone should have the opportunity to participate in our elections and having these new materials available will help increase voter turnout in Skagit County.”

Click Here for the full press release. (Editor's Note: Regarding Spanish translations, per Chair Lynn Campbell, "We can thank Marco Morales from ACH, and Faviola Lopez, and Sandy Perkins. This was a group effort and it took quite a bit of work to make this happen. In fact, ACH is paying the bill for this year.")

10. UPDATED – General Campaign Information

Team Harris-Walz Phone Bank – "Join us to make calls for Kamala Harris and Democrats up and down the ballot!" Click on the "Show More" link to see all the dates/times available.

For those wanting to donate to the Harris campaign via snail mail (USPS), please use the following address: Harris Victory Fund, P.O. Box 96663, Washington, D.C.  20077-7085

We have a new crop of Harris/Walz signs and bumper stickers at the Skagit County Democrats Headquarters Office, 2021 East College Way, Suite 104. We also have some (free) Ferguson signs in. Please call ahead to the office (360-336-1555) to reserve what you want. You can leave your name and phone number and say how any signs you would like. A suggested donation of $20 is requested for the signs.

11. NEW – Election Night Party! Mark your calendar!
Have you heard? Skagit County Democrats will host an election night party Tuesday, Nov 5, 4:30pm until 9:30pm at the Swinomish Casino. Be on the look out for our sign up sheet! We will have heavy appetizers and a no host bar. WE BELIEVE!!! Come celebrate everyone's hard work!

12. Volunteers needed to staff our Headquarters Office
If you would like to volunteer in the office by answering phones or questions that people may have, please call our Headquarters Office at 360-336-1555 and let them know your interest and contact information.

13. 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.

14. 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. THIS LIST HAS BEEN UPDATED.
• Step 3: Application: complete this form for Skagit County and email chair@skagitdemocrats.org.

15. 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.

• Revealed: how the fossil fuel industry helps spread anti-protest laws across the US
• Map shows where effort to replace Electoral College stands
• Steve Jobs Swore the 10-Minute Rule Made Him Smarter. Modern Neuroscience Is Discovering He Was Right
• Politicians often link crime and homelessness. The reality is more complex
• Why do people still back Trump, after everything? 5 things to understand about MAGA supporters’ thinking
• Project 2025’s plan to gut civil service with mass firings: ‘It’s like the bad old days of King Henry VIII’

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COMMUNITY EVENTS

1. The monthly Planned Parenthood rally is Saturday, Oct 5, 11:00am – 12:00pm, on the sidewalk in front of the Mount Vernon Health Center, 1805 East Division Street, Mount Vernon
Bring your signs, your friends, and your family.

2. NEW – The 12th Biennial Skagit River Poetry Festival will be held on Oct 3 – 5, Maple Hall, 104 Commercial Street, La Conner – Sessions will be held in venues throughout La Conner
Click Here for schedule, venue, and ticket information.

3. NEW – Skagit County Clothing Swap, Wednesday, Oct 9, 1:00pm – 6:00pm, Skagit County Fairgrounds, North Entrance, A & B Building, 1410 Virginia Street, Mount Vernon
Hosted by Skagit County Solid Waste Division. Please read the flyer for more information & instructions.

4. NEW – Skagit County to Stop Accepting Glass at All Transfer Stations
"Glass will no longer be accepted for recycling at all Skagit County Transfer Stations for the indefinite future starting October 1. Due to a closure of a glass manufacturing facility in Seattle, there is no longer any facility in the area that will take our recycled glass." Click Here for more information.

5. NEW – Cook Road closure just east of Old Highway 99 North, overnight beginning Thursday, Oct 10, at 6:00pm until Friday, Oct 11, at 5:00am
"The road will be closed to all vehicles, including emergency vehicles. The Detour Route will be via State Route 20, Burlington Boulevard, and Old Highway 99 N for both Directions."

6. The Guemes Island Ferry “Railroad Parking Lot” located at 500 I Avenue, Anacortes, will temporally close from October 9th – October 12th to conduct maintenance and landscaping activities
"ALL vehicles remaining in this parking area after 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, October 8th will be subject to towing/impound by local authorities. The larger 6th & K parking lot will remain open and available for parking during this closure. As a friendly reminder, ferry parking allows a maximum of 72 hours parking in both parking lots." Click Here for the Facebook post.
 

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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 $.56.  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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