News from the Skagit County Democrats

Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for November 4, 2024

DEMOCRATIC EVENTS

1. NEW – Get Those Ballots In – Election Day is Tuesday, Nov 5!
If you haven't already sent in your ballot, please use a drop box. Don't depend on the U.S. Mail. (There has been a recent Federal Court ruling elsewhere that ballots that ARRIVE after Election Day may not be counted.)

Here are the Ballot Drop Box Locations. Click Here for a map of the locations.

• 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
• Conway
  • Conway Fire Department, 21020 Greenfield Street
• Concrete
  • Skagit Upriver Services, 45770 Main South
• 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 accessed from 3rd St. near Kincaid), 700 South 2nd Street, Room 201
• Sauk-Suiattle
  • 6020 Mountain Goat Way, Darrington
• Sedro-Woolley
  • Sedro-Woolley Post Office, (in alley between Eastern Avenue and Metcalf), 111 Woodworth Street
• Swinomish
  • Social Services Building, 17337 Reservation Road

2. NEW – Last Chance Activities
Door Knocking

• Mount Vernon Door-Knocking Event – Monday, Nov 4, 10:00am – 1:00pm, Mount Vernon Office, 2021 East College Way, Mount Vernon – Click Here to RSVP.
• Get out the Vote in Mount Vernon – Tuesday, Nov 5, 8:00am – 11:00pm, Mount Vernon Office, 2021 E College Way, Mount Vernon – Click Here to RSVP.

We’re organizing sign-waving events for Democratic candidates across NW Washington, and everyone is welcome! Bring any Democratic candidate signs you have, or use one of ours. Spread the word, and let's show our support!

• Join Us for Sign Waving – Tuesday, Nov 5, 10:30am – 11:30am, Riverside Drive and College Way, Mount Vernon
• Join Us for Sign Waving – Tuesday, Nov 5, 1:00pm – 2:00pm, South 2nd Street & West Kincaid Street, Mount Vernon

3. NEW – Gen Z Voter Event, Monday, Nov 4, 6:00pm – 8:00pm, La Catrina Tacos & Tequila, 517 South 1st Street, Mount Vernon
Aydan Garland-Miner, a community member and organizer in Mount Vernon, is hosting an event to encourage voter participation among Gen Z in Skagit County. "We are calling it Margarita Monday (though all ages are welcome)." Click Here for the English flyer. Click Here for the Spanish flyer.

4. Washington State Democrats are planning an Election Night Party, Tuesday, Nov 5, 5:00pm, Seattle Convention Center – Arch Building 705 Pike Street
Click Here for more information.

5. NEW – The Fidalgo Democrats meet Tuesday, Nov 12, 7:00pm – 9:00pm, Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th Street, Anacortes
Kurt Dunbar, a history professor at Skagit Valley College, will be our presenter. "FASCISM HERE AND NOW. THE PRESENT DANGER! – Synopsis: Right-wing leaders around the world are on the rise. They share certain characteristics that are increasingly evident and influential in American politics. Fascist leaders all reflect a keen animosity towards democratic institutions, which in republics both young and old (including our own) represents a clear and present danger. Learn more about how it is happening here and now."

6. NEW – Skagit Democrats Executive Board Meeting, Thursday, Nov 14, 6:30pm – 8:00pm, via Zoom
Click Here for the Zoom link.

7. NEW – The 39th Legislative District Democrats Executive Board meets Tuesday, Nov 19, 7:00pm – 8:00pm, via Zoom
Click Here for the Zoom link.

8. NEW – Need for Ballot Curing Volunteers
Many ballots are coming in with outdated signatures or no signatures. These can still be counted if the voter “cures” their ballot before certification on November 26. We will be contacting likely Democrats to encourage them to cure their ballots. This can make a difference in close races (Upthegrove and Shavers races are great examples). If you would like to help with this, send an email to staff@skagitdemocrats.org.

9. NEW – Election Observers Still Needed
Even as things come to a close, we will need Election Observers into this coming week as ballots are processed. Click Here to sign up for available 1.5 hour slots.

10. November 5, General Election Information
Click Here for the English version of the online General Election Voter's Pamphlet. Click Here for the Spanish version of the online General Election Voter's Pamphlet. Click Here for the Washington Secretary of State's online Voter's Guide. Click Here to view maps of various voting districts.

General Election Timeline

• September 21 – Military and Overseas ballots mailed
• October 16 – Accessible Voting Unit test – 9:00 AM
• October 16 – Official Logic & Accuracy test – 10:00 AM
• October 16 – Domestic ballots mailed
• October 28 – Deadline to register or update existing registration online and by mail
• November 5 – Deadline for in-person registration and voter updates – Closes 8:00 PM
• November 5 – General Election – Closes 8:00 PM
• November 18 – Canvassing Board Meeting, Initial Review – 1:00 PM
• November 26 – General Election Certification – 1:30 PM

11. 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.

12. 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 abortion is on the ballot, so is the economy
• Voters are about to remake Washington’s Legislature. Here are 7 contests to watch
• If You Think You Can Hold a Grudge, Consider the Crow
• Researchers uncover surprising side effect of shutting down coal mines
• ‘Take Back the States’: The Far-Right Sheriffs Ready to Disrupt the Election

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COMMUNITY EVENTS

1. NEW – Anacortes First Annual Veteran's Parade & Events, Sunday, Nov 10, (Parade) 1:00pm – 3:00pm, 3rd – 10th Street on Commercial Avenue, Anacortes
Click Here for more information on Facebook.

2. Skagit County will host a Community Meeting, Tuesday, Nov 12, from 6:00pm – 7:30pm, Commissioner’s Hearing Room, 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon
Topics include: Housing, Cold weather shelters, Emergency weather preparedness, New online permitting software, 2025 Comprehensive Plan update, Courthouse roof project, BESS energy project update. Click Here for more information.

3. NEW – Community to Community Development and Familias Unidas por La Justicia invite you to the Farmworker Community Assembly , Sunday, Nov 17, 10:00am – 4:00pm, Maple Hall, 104 Commercial Street, La Conner
"The assembly is an opportunity for you to engage directly with farmworker leadership as we develop strategies for systemic change in our rural communities. We are extending an invitation because you have demonstrated that you recognize that Farmworkers are facing enormous challenges in an industry designed to extract labor and natural resources. You have expressed interest in engaging with us to grow policy solutions that are grounded in the realities of the people impacted. With or without overtime, farmworker families are still not able to make ends meet. Rising cost of living has not been matched by an increase in wages and benefits, and the overwhelming numbers of foreign workers imported on the H-2A visa has led to job instability and growing poverty in farmworker communities." Space is limited, so please email c2cpolicysupport@foodjustice.org to RSVP.
 

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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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