August 20, 2020
Your Weekly News from the Collin County Democratic Party
Get Your Bidding Fingers Ready for the ARD Silent Auction
The Ann Richards Dinner Silent Auction will open for bids on August 22nd. Starting that day, you can view the items and place your bids here. There are more than 50 fantastic items available online for you to explore! Items vary in value with bidding beginning as low as $25 for some fabulous deals. Here is just one of the exceptional items available.

FAQs:
May I still donate to the Auction?
YES, we can accept Auction items until Tuesday, August 25th. Each donor will need to complete an In-Kind Form with the estimated value and a short description. 
How do I bid on an item?
We will give you the link to the Auction closer to the date. At that time, you will choose the item you want to bid on and make your bid. There is a minimum bid for all items. If you are outbid, you can choose to receive a text or email to make another bid. 
Do I need a cell phone to bid?
No. You may bid using your computer or cell phone. If you choose, however, you may receive a text if you are outbid.
Do I need to attend the Ann Richards Dinner on August 29th to participate in the Silent Auction?
No. The Auction is open to everyone! But you can get your tickets to attend here
How do I pay for an item I win in the Auction?
You will pay for any items you win on the site with a credit card.
When do I pay for an item I win?
You will pay for any items you will at the end of the Auction.
If I am the highest bidder, how will I obtain my item(s)?
Pickup dates and times will be provided at the end of the Auction.
Where will the pickup of items be?
The primary pickup of winning Auction items will be at the Collin County Democratic Party Office in Central Plano (I-75 & Park) at the corner of Chisholm and Park. The office faces Park. The address is 1915 N. Central Expressway. Plano, TX, 75075. 

The picture above is of the Beach Cottage in beautiful Virginia Beach, VA. This one week trip is just one of the many great items up for bid when our Silent Auction opens on August 22 at www.bidpal.net/ard2020.
 
The Silent Auction is a fundraiser for our fantastic candidates. This year more than ever, your support for the Collin County Democratic Party’s Coordinated Campaign is needed and appreciated! Get your tickets to the Ann Richards Virtual Dinner here or become a sponsor.
Collin County Democratic Party Elects New Officers
The Collin County Democratic Party elected and appointed new officers, committee chairs, and committee members at a special meeting of the County Executive Committee on August 4th, 2020. In a virtual meeting via the Zoom meeting platform, the CEC made the following selections via ballot:
CCDP Vice Chair and Chair of the Administration Committee: Diane Bolak
Secretary: Carrie Petersen (Incumbent)
Treasurer: David M. Smith (Incumbent)
Activist Recruitment and Training Committee Chair: Vickie Parker (Incumbent)
Ann Richards Dinner Chair: Carrie Petersen (Incumbent)
Communications Director: Jeffrey Quiggle
Coordinated Campaign Chair: John Shanks (Incumbent)
Data Director: JC Puckett (Incumbent)
Diversity and Inclusion Chair: Blondene Taite
Events and Outreach Committee Co-Chairs: Catherine Casavant and Beatriz McKnight
Fundraising Chair: John Stafford
Rules and Bylaws Chair: Tim Murphree
Voter Protection Chair: Tom Adair

Election of new officers and committee chairs normally occurs in June of election years, after the primary runoff, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the runoff was delayed until July 14th, hence the party leadership election was delayed. New officers and committee chairs assumed their new roles effective immediately. New officers and committee chairs will be present at the next County Executive Committee meeting, scheduled for 7:15 p.m. on August 25th, 2020.
A Personal Encounter with our Next Vice President
By John Stafford, Senate District 8 Biden Delegate to the DNC
Since 2007, when it was held in Chicago, I've been a regular attendee of Netroots Nation, the largest gathering of Democrats outside the quadrennial Democratic National Convention. Netroots Nation is a great place to meet people, in 2010 in Las Vegas I met, a then civilian, Elizabeth Warren for the first time; in 2013 I met Keith Ellison and Tulsi Gabbard.

In 2016 our family visited New Orleans and my youngest daughter Katerina fell in love with the rides at City Park. So in 2018 when my wife wanted to take my oldest daughter to New York City, she suggested I take Katerina with me to Netroots Nation in New Orleans. The 2018 conference featured a number of people who would soon be running for President in 2020. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Cory Booker, Sec. Julian Castro, Mayor Bill DeBlasio, and Sen. Kamala Harris. I had to skip Cory Booker's speech Thursday so I could make sure Katerina could spend the afternoon at City Park.

But Friday afternoon was magical. One of the vendors brought a hurricane booth and Katerina was allowed to play in it for over an hour, which beat the one minute she had previously had at birthday parties. I went to a panel hosted by Christine Pelosi and Katerina met Nancy Pelosi's granddaughter. They spent the afternoon playing skeeball with one another. 

Sen. Kamala Harris headlined the Friday afternoon keynote along with Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Cynthia Nixon and Rep. Deb Haaland. Afterwards the speakers held an intimate meet and greet, where I brought Katerina. I bided our time and finally got the chance to say, “hello.” Kamala looked at Katerina and immediately reached down to hug her.

Looking at my daughter, I said, “One day you’ll be able to say you hugged a President.”

Sen. Kamala Harris replied with the biggest smile, “I will.”

Fast forward to August 11, 2020 and Joe Biden’s selection of Sen. Kamala Harris as his pick for Vice President, I told my daughter: “Katerina, you can now say you know the next Vice President of the United States.”
FAQs about the November General Election
Questions about the upcoming November General Election are coming up frequently.

This article answers many of those questions and provide resources for you.
If you have a question not answered, email: elections@collindemocrats.org
or call the CCDP Office at 972-578-1483

FAQs and useful information can be found on the County Elections Website.

FAQs are also available on the CCDP Website.

The most often asked questions:

Last day to register to vote: Monday, October 5, 2020 (mailed applications must be postmarked by October 5, 2020). Follow links above for more information on registering, changing an address, voting when overseas, etc.

Last day to apply for ballot-by-mail: Friday, October 23, 2020 (received not postmarked).

Complete your ballot as soon as you receive it and mail it immediately OR drop it off at Collin Elections Office at 2010 Redbud Blvd, Suite 102, McKinney.
You must drop off your OWN ballot and be prepared to show ID.

There was some question about the envelope needing two stamps. This is not the case.

However, some have sent both spouses’ ballots in same envelope – these likely cannot be counted. Mail them in separate envelopes or take them to the Elections Office.

Taking them in person to the Elections Office will avoid US Mail delays.
Collin All Democrats Phone Bank
The CCDP Coordinated Campaign hosts the Collin All Democrats virtual phone bank every weekend. Volunteers socialize, play games, win prizes, and make calls to get out the Democratic vote and turn our County Blue. Join the fun online at 2 p.m. every Saturday through November! Sign up here to receive the Zoom link.

Phone banking is easy and fun! We give you a script so that all you have to do is fill in the blanks as you talk to voters. And training is available at each event. See you soon!
Collin / Denton Counties Club Challenge
Virtual Phone Bank Training Session
We are reaching out to the "Likely Dems - need to ID" in the voter database. The voters in this category need to be confirmed as Dem / Rep / Ind / etc. It's a short, easy conversation. We've divided Collin and Denton Counties up into teams based on Texas House Districts and will be competing head to head for the number of calls made.

Virtual Phone Bank Training,
Monday & Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.

Smiling & Dialing Sessions
Monday & Wednesday from 6 - 8 p.m.

You don't have to attend "Smiling & Dialing" to help out - calls can be made any time from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

For more information, visit our Facebook Group.
Help Dianne C. Mayo for County Commissioner, Precinct 3
Hi everyone! I can really use your support for my campaign for County Commissioner, Precinct 3. My opponent, Darrell Hale, has a GOP machine in full operation against me, and his policies are literally killing people in this area.
Please help by giving, so I can buy signs, postcards, door-hangers, and really get the word out about my campaign. I want to bring balance to Collin County government and compassion to the Commissioners Court! We only have a few short weeks to make a difference in our county. Please help today!
Team Colin's Virtual Organizing Meeting for Richardson,
Garland, & Collin County: Campaign Update!
Join Team Colin's Maria Cornell for a Virtual Organizing Meeting! This meeting will be focused on organizing efforts in Richardson, Garland, and Collin County. 
When: August 26, 2020
Time: 6:30 p.m.
RSVP Link