Action Newsletter for July 20th, 2025
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Quick Links
Action e-newsletters are compiled from local and state Democratic news across Washington State.
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DEMOCRATIC EVENTS
1. – 2025 General Election Important Dates
- Tuesday, August 5, 2025 Primary Election
- Tuesday, September 16, 2025 National Voter Registration Day
- Friday, October 17, 2025 November General Election 18-day voting period begins
- Monday, October 27, 2025 Deadline to receive new registrations and voter updates online and by mail for the November General Election
- Tuesday, November 04, 2025 GENERAL ELECTION
- Tuesday, November 25, 2025 County Canvassing Board certifies and transmits results of November General Election
2. – Volunteer to table with us at the Skagit County Fair
Skagit County Democrats will be at the fair again this year, August 7th-10th!
The fair is a great event and a great way to connect with fellow Democrats across Skagit County. Sign up to table with us to share information about what we do, register voters, meet members of our community and support our local candidates! It’s not every day that you get to volunteer feet away from cute animals, rides, and creations made by the community.
Sign up for a shift by clicking here.
3. – Good Trouble Lives on! – Skagit Indivisible
When: July 17th, 4 – 6 pm
Where: Mount Vernon Courthouse, steps
You’re invited to peacefully protest in memory and celebration of John Lewis!
www.facebook.com/rougeontherocks/
4. – Defend Democracy (Anacortes Stands Up!)
The Defend Democracy rallies, by Anacortes Stands Up, are from noon to 1 PM every Wednesday and Sunday.
Location: 32nd & Commercial in Anacortes.
5. – League of Skagit Primary Candidate Forums
(Audio recordings of all forums to be available at https://www.skagitlwv.org/)
6. – Washington State Democratic Party Seasonal Affairs Newsletter
Hello Democrats! A new tradition is beginning in the Party Affairs Department — a seasonal newsletter sharing updates on what’s happening at the Washington State Democratic Party.
This optional newsletter is open to all Democrats: PCOs, LPO members, chairs, state committee members, and anyone else interested in staying connected and engaged. It will be sent four times a year and will include updates on state committee meetings, committee work, and upcoming events open to all Democrats.
This is part of a broader effort to increase transparency and accessibility within the Party Affairs Department.
If you’d like to receive this newsletter, please do so HERE. Please share the link with fellow Democrats who may be interested.
Let’s stay informed and involved — together.
7. – Washington State 40th District Representative Debra Lekanoff Invites You to Virtual Coffees
Rep. Lakanoff invites her constituents to virtual coffees several times over the Summer through September. The schedule is available online. She has also reported back with “The Story of the 2025 Legislative Session.”
Rep. Lakanoff’s next coffee will be July 19th, 9-10am.
8. – Have you renewed your membership for this year?
You don’t have to wait for a membership renewal letter. You can easily renew your membership on-line. Just go to https://secure.actblue.com/donate/scdmembership. Your membership fees help us keep the doors open and support Democratic candidates in Skagit County! We did well in Skagit County in the last Presidential election – let’s keep the momentum going! Email staff@skagitdemocrats.org if you are unsure of your membership status.
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COMMUNITY EVENTS
1. – Important Skagit County Seeks Applicants for Planning Commission Vacancies in Districts 1 and 3
Skagit County is now accepting applications from residents interested in serving on the Skagit County Planning Commission. Two seats are available—one in District 1 and one in District 3—with current terms set to expire on August 31, 2025. Appointees will begin new four-year terms ending August 31, 2029.
To be eligible, applicants must reside in either District 1 or District 3. Not sure which district you live in? Use Skagit County iMap to view district boundaries.
Planning Commissioners play an important role in shaping land use and development policy throughout the county. Appointments are made by the Board of County Commissioners.
How to Apply
Interested residents should complete the Planning Commission Application Form or submit a letter of interest that includes:
- Name, physical address, phone number, and email address
- A personal statement highlighting relevant expertise or experience
- Any affiliations with interest groups or organizations
Applications must be received by Friday, July 25, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. Submit via email to commissioners@co.skagit.wa.us or by mail to:
Clerk of the Board
Skagit County Commissioners
1800 Continental Place, Suite 100
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
For questions, please contact the Commissioners’ Office at commissioners@co.skagit.wa.us or call 360-416-1300.
2. – Rally in support of Planned Parenthood
WHERE: Planned Parenthood Health Center at 1805 E. Division in Mount Vernon
WHEN: Sat, 8/2 at 11:00a.m.- 12:00p.m.
We now have an all-out attack on Planned Parenthood and the critical services offered. Let’s get out there and make some noise to show our support. Bring as many friends and family as you can. We’ll have extra signs and you can always bring your own.
PP provides critical services to our community: cancer screening (breast, cervical, prostate, colon), abortion, birth control, emergency contraception (morning after pill), HIV services, pregnancy testing and planning, STD testing, HPV vaccines, menopause treatment, postpartum visits. If you’re making your own signs – it would be great to see some of these services highlighted.
Reminder – we follow Planned Parenthood protocol about non-engagement. We do not engage with those from the other side.
Thanks to the 50 people who showed up to the July 5th demonstration and everyone who has stood with Planned Parenthood against Tyranny!
3. – New Information about Alfredo “Lelo” Juarez
At Lelo’s July 14th hearing, he agreed to depart voluntarily. Check out Cascadia Daily News for the story: https://www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/jul/14/detained-northwest-wa-farmworker-activist-lelo-will-voluntarily-depart-to-mexico/
4. – DoorKnocking for Joe Burns
WHERE: Riverfront Park, Sedro-Woolley
WHEN: Every Saturday, 11 am
Join Us for Door Knocking!
We’ll be heading out to knock on doors in support of re-electing Joe Burns to the Sedro-Woolley City Council on Saturday, July 19th at 11:00 AM, meeting at Riverfront Park at the lower hill.
If you’d like to help but are unavailable that day, let us know. We’re happy to get you a walk list and campaign literature for a time that works for you.
5. – Hannah Oliver for City Council Campaign Kickoff
WHERE: Union Block Bistro in Downtown Mount Vernon
WHEN: Tuesday, July 22nd, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Join us Tuesday, July 22nd at Union Block Bistro in Downtown Mount Vernon for an exciting Happy Hour/Campaign Kickoff in support of Hannah Oliver for Mount Vernon City Council! Let’s come together as a community to launch Hannah’s campaign the right way. There will be drinks for purchase, and plenty of snacks and desserts for everyone. Bring your energy, friends, family and your enthusiasm for one of our amazing local candidates. See you there!
Reach out to HannahforMV@gmail.com to RSVP
6. – New Luke Currier for Anacortes City Council Campaign Kickoff
WHERE: Majestic Inn & Spa Ballroom, 419 Commercial Avenue
WHEN: Thursday, July 17th, 5:30 – 7:00 pm
Join Luke on Thursday to mix, mingle, connect, and hear what’s inspiring him to run! Bring your friends and family!
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
1 – NEW BALLOT Discrepency Discovered
There was a discrepancy on the ballot for the following precinct splits. They are missing the race for Port of Skagit, Commissioner Position 2.
122.06, 126.02, 134.01, 508.01
Corrected ballots will be mailed to affected voters on Monday 7/21. Will we be creating a separate database for the re-issued ballots. Because of this, we will have a Logic & Accuracy test, Monday July 21st at 9:00am in our office.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Skagit County Elections
700 S. 2nd St, Room 139
Mount Vernon, WA
2. – NEW Election Observers needed for the primary
During every election, we have observers in the room as election workers open ballots and prepare them for machine counting.
This is an interesting process to observe, with many steps involved to ensure the security of our election system. Those who have done it before find the experience interesting and reassuring. Please consider taking at least one shift in the coming weeks.
You can sign up for a 1.5 hour shift at this address: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0845AAA92CA5F4CF8-50899792-election#/.
You do not have to be a member of the party, but you will be asked to represent Skagit County Democrats. Independent voters recruit their own representatives.
3. – Letter from the Editor, Don Ambrose, on the passing of Larry Edwards
Some of you may not have been familiar with Larry, but he was a real Skagit Democrats stalwart for many years. You could always find him at Skagit Dems EBoard & Central Committee meetings. He was a fairly frequent member of the EBoard as well, representing Region 2. Larry was also a frequent contributor to the Skagit Valley Herald, supporting Democratic issues.
Larry had real verve for life. He traveled, hiked, danced, fished, attended musical performances, and played a mean hand of bridge. Unfortunately, Larry was the victim of a traffic accident in Italy several years ago that resulted in a debilitating condition that slowed him down considerably. Still, it did not keep him down. He retained his positive outlook on life and participated in things as much as he could, including our Galas.
I, for one, will miss him a lot.
DA
Larry Edwards passed last Saturday, June 28th, after a long life filled with love, laughter, adventure, and joy for living. He will be missed by family, friends, and his ‘legion’ of Letters to the Editor fans
4. – Update on Don Ambrose
From Don:
“I was released from the skilled nursing care facility Sunday, July 6. I am now recovering at home, moving (slowly) around the house with the aid of a walker and the support of my wife, Mim. I still have wound care from visiting nurses. I am attending medical appointments and will start hyperbaric treatments on July 28. I still have a long way to go but I am bolstered by a lot of support from family and friends.
I very much appreciate all the support and good wishes we have received from our Democrat friends. Keep up the good trouble!
DA“
As the editor of The Newsletter for many years, Don has earned many thanks for his past diligence and unselfish service to the local party news. While he focuses on his health, others are stepping in, as they can, to try and fill his shoes. Fortunately, he has left an easy system of gathering, editing and compiling the newsletter. Almost anyone who can surf the net, type and paste content from emails to the editor about relevant topics, can do it. This makes The Newsletter ripe and ready for any new, aspiring volunteer Democratic journalist to step in. So please, if you would like to volunteer to compile this newsletter for the Skagit County Democrats, you need only email news@skagitdemocrats.org to learn more.
5. – 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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