It's Time for Us to Stand Up and Fight to Save Our Country and Our Democracy
By Annisa Karim
Collier County Democratic Party Chair
Hello Democrats!
Our democracy is at risk, and it is time to commit to saving it!
The road to the White House is through the state of Florida and we all have a role to play in the outcome of the next election.
Right now, Democrats hold a margin of over 315,000 Vote-by-Mail requests over Republicans in Florida but we know Republicans are trying to stop the Vote-by-Mail surge any way they can.
Why? It’s simple. Trump said in March that if we made it easy for people to vote, Republicans would never win another election. These remarks reveal how Republicans have long understood voter suppression to be a necessary part of their political self-preservation.
So now, they are doing everything they can to suppress the vote and we need to counteract it with a strong push to increase Vote-by-Mail requests and by recruiting volunteers for a robust Voter Protection Team. This is where you come in and that’s how WE win!
Make an election plan:
Make sure you are registered to Vote-by-Mail.
Look at your calendar and figure out how much time you can dedicate to preserving our democracy.
Then, sign up for a Virtual Volunteer Orientation. From there, do a little bit each day or each week. If you can, donate to us so we can acquire the funds to create radio ads, do community outreach, print mailers, use social media to boost all of our candidates, and have the tools necessary to secure wins for Democrats up and down the ballot.
When we elect Joe Biden as our next president, we need to deliver a House and Senate he can work with. We need to flip the State House and State Senate in Florida and we need to elect some local candidates to our County Commission as well.
I urge you to get involved with the Collier County Democratic Party today so we can build a strong team working to preserve our democracy.
Let's keep moving
#ForwardTogether
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YOUR CHECKLIST:
Register to Vote-by-Mail.
Ask three friends to register to Vote by Mail.
Make sure your friends and family are registered to vote.
Volunteer.
Donate.
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Spotlight on the Candidates
Who are the Democratic candidates running for local, state, and federal offices in Collier County? Why are they running? What do they stand for? What do you need to know about them?
Get answers to all those questions--and more--during a series of Spotlight video interviews being conducted by the Collier County Democratic Party, starting June 30 and running through early August.
Complete details here:
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Help Ensure Every Vote is Counted; Join the Collier County Voter Protection Team
Voting enables us to elect leaders who represent our values and will unify our community, leaders who care about equality, leaders who care about the environment, affordable education, and accessible healthcare.
We need volunteers on the Voter Protection Team to protect the voters in Collier County and ensure the integrity of the voting process. We need volunteers to be present at the polls to stop suppression and intimidation. We need volunteers to cure rejected ballots and to participate in recounts.
We need lots of volunteers. We need YOU. We need ALL of YOU.
Click the button below to sign up for the Voter Protection Team:
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Volunteer to Help with Vote-by-Mail Phone Bank
Phase One of our Vote-by-Mail (VBM) phone bank is complete! Our dedicated volunteers reached out to over 9,700 Democrats in high-priority precincts to promote VBM. We sent Vote-by-Mail instructions to every person who requested them and signed up over 200 new people for our Democratic Party Newsletter.
Phase Two of the VBM phone bank is currently under way. This round focuses on precincts that are most at risk for voter intimidation and suppression. Vote-by-Mail eliminates the risk associated with in-person voting and helps our Voter Protection Team to support those who do decide to vote in person.
Additionally, three precincts in Collier County have new polling locations. We are reaching out to Dems in those precincts to inform them of the change and, naturally, encourage them to vote by mail.
To start making calls in VBM Phone Bank Phase 2 click here:
Precinct 222 New Polling Location Phone Bank:
Precinct 414/416 New Polling Location Phone Bank:
Want to get some training? We’ve scheduled more classes on how to use our phone banking tool, OpenVBP and we’ll cover the specifics of the VBM script.
Sign up for Training using Mobilize:
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Calling All Volunteers!
The pandemic has changed the way we all live and do business. We now offer a one hour
Virtual Volunteer Orientation
to give you the information you need so you can resume your volunteer activities or, if you’ve never volunteered with us before, learn how you can get started. We have redesigned our activities to comply with all CDC guidelines (no contact, social distancing, and virtual events).
Please click on the following link and choose one of the dates and times that works for you. After you sign up for a session, you will get a confirmation email with all the details about how to participate. You’ll get a couple of meeting reminders and you’ll be asked to
confirm that you plan to attend, or cancel
if you can’t make your scheduled session. Please cancel if you cannot attend, as each class has limited spaces.
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A Podcast For Democrats!
We've all been there. Walking down the aisle at the grocery store and you overhear a conversation about politics and you cringe. You try to ignore what's being said, but the words keep ringing in your ears.
It's at that moment you feel you're alone in a sea of Republicanism. Caught in a maddening, MAGA-hat wearing throng where everyone drinks the Fox News Kool-Aid.
Well, you don't need to feel isolated any more. You are not alone. There are over 52,000 Democrats in Collier County.
And if you need relief from all the right-wing chatter, here's your escape valve:
The Collier Democratic Roundup is the official podcast of the Collier County Democratic Party. On each episode we discuss the news, issues, what is going on in the local and state party, and how you can get involved and take action to affect change in your community.
Check it out here:
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Eight Democrats are running for Federal, State, and Local offices in Collier County
Congressional District 19:
Cindy Banyai
and
David Holden
– winner of the August Primary will go on to the November Election.
State House District 80:
Laura Novosad
will be on the ballot in November.
State House District 105:
Javier Estevez
and
Maureen Porras
- winner of the August Primary will go on to the November Election.
State House District 106:
Sara McFadden
will be on the ballot in November.
County Commission District 1:
John Jenkins
will be on the ballot in November.
County Commission District 5:
David Turrubiartez Jr.
will be on the ballot in November.
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David A. Turrubiartez Jr. Files to Run for Collier County Commission in District 5
After confirming his candidacy on Facebook and with an online video, within 12 hours he raised the $5,120.40 filing fee with over 110 people contributing to make it possible.
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McFadden Endorsed by Moms Demand Action
Moms Demand Action for Guns Sense in America has endorsed Sara McFadden, candidate for State House in District 106.
Novosad Endorsed by Jennifer Boddicker
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Banyai and Porras Endorse One Another
Congressional candidate Dr. Cindy Banyai, and candidate for Florida State Representative District 105, Maureen Porras, have endorsed each other. Banyai has also been endorsed by the Florida Democratic Environmental Caucus.
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Holden Announces Multiple Endorsements
Congressional candidate David Holden announced endorsements by a slate of community activists and candidates in southwest Florida. He's also been endorsed by the Florida Democratic Environmental Caucus.
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Maureen Porras Endorsed by Emily's List
Emily's List has given its endorsement to Maureen Porras in the contested race for the Democratic nomination in State House District 105. She's also been endorsed by a Broward County Commissioner.
Estevez Endorsed by SAVE
J
avier Estevez, Democrat running for the Democratic nomination to serve in the Florida House of Representatives, endorsed by SAVE.
Banyai Endorsed by County Commission Candidate
Cindy Banyai has been endorsed by Lee County Commission Candidate Rev. Juan Gonzales.
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Porras and Estevez Headline Collier County Political Roundup Podcast
Vice Chair Jeff Spencer's latest episode of the Collier Democratic Roundup is available for listening now.
Collier Democrats Applaud Dreamers Decision
The Supreme Court ruling, which barred President Trump from deporting the Dreamers anytime soon, came as a tremendous relief.
Supreme Court Affirms LGBTQ Rights
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that job discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or transgender status is a violation of federal law.
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New Facebook Group Created for Collier Republicans, Independents, and NPAs Leaning Blue
There's a new home on Facebook for non-Democrats leaning Blue in the 2020 election, a place to chat and share news.
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Want Ads
WANTED: Volunteers to support Volunteer Coordination Activities. If you are a dedicated volunteer who enjoys working with people, talking on the phone, and keeping detailed records, please contact Francie Hunt, Volunteer Coordinator, Collier County Democrats (239) 300 1632
FrancieHuntFlorida@gmail.com
to schedule a virtual interview.
WANTED:President. The Collier County Democratic Women's Club is seeking an e
nergetic, passionate, engaging, well informed Democratic woman to serve as president. Candidate must understand the Democratic Platform, have previous experience as a board member of a political organization, strong leadership skills, and the time and temerity to jump in with both feet.
WANTED -- First Vice President. The Collier County Democratic Women's Club is seeking a charismatic, energetic, creative, passionate Democratic woman who is well informed on current topics and is able to coordinate beneficial activities for our membership, as well as arrange for speakers to address our club on pertinent matters.
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Sign Up for Virtual Leadership Blue 2020
The Florida Democratic Party is hosting its first ever Leadership Blue Virtual Convention weekend! Programming will begin Friday, July 17 and continue through Sunday, July 19.
The weekend will be filled with free trainings, updates on the work being done across the state, round tables with elected leaders and activists, and more.
RSVP here for this year's Leadership Blue and get more information about the virtual convention:
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Democratic Women's Club of Marco
No meeting in July.
The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, August 11 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. Gail Formanack, co-president of the League of Women Voters, The Villages/Tri-County area will present on 'How to Recognize Fake News Outlets'. Registration required.
Democratic Women's Club of Collier
The club will host its next virtual meeting on July 23 at 7 p.m. Details to come.
At its June meeting, the club heard from Dr. Dale Anderson on voter suppression. It's frightening. And it's real. We all need to be aware. You can view his presentation here:
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Collier County Democratic Club
The club will not meet in July and plans to resume its virtual meetings in August.
During its June virtual meeting, CCDC members and guests heard a thoughtful presentation from Scott Burgess, director of the David Lawrence Center, on the mental health needs of Collier County.
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Street Name Changes Sought in Naples Manor
Confederate Drive? Dixie Drive? In Naples in the 21st century? Yep. We have streets with names derived from the Civil War and the Confederacy. It's time for a change. Please join in supporting a petition to help fix this.
Sign the petition here:
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Thank You to Our Voter Registration Volunteers:
For our Juneteenth Voter Registration event we worked Friday and Saturday at the courthouse steps, tax collector's office, and nearby the Golden Gate Community center, and Grace Place at the food giveaway. We achieved the following:
10 Voter Registrations
21 Vote-by-Mail applications
Thank you to our volunteers:
Phyllis Andrews
,
Diane Oczkowski, Diane Rahman, Jane Schlechtweg, Patti Bryan, Cynthia Merino-Clark, Janet Perna
Great job!
The Collier Democratic Women's Club Offers a Big THANK YOU to their Volunteers:
The club been working on a Membership and the Vote-by-Mail postcard campaign. Our board designed an outstanding postcard and made sure the message was in Spanish, Creole, and English. The cards were ordered, received, and divided into rubber band bundles of 30.
Our Sister Club on Marco Island had already sent out their own postcards to District 1 and stepped in to address cards from another district. A Big Thank you to Stephanie Ballo, Jane Schlechtweg, and all the women who volunteered from Marco to help, we couldn’t have done it without you!
DWC Marco
Anne Link, Cheryl Costley, Deborah Doppelt, Deirdra Schmidt, Ellen Coutmanche, Gail Hogarty, Kathleen Hendrix, Lenore Greenstein, Marcia Schacht, Mershon Niesner, Sally Miller
Our club members have been no less wonderful. A special Thank you to Ruth Kuttler for designing, producing, and procuring the postcards. Thank you also, to Kathy Ryan and Erika Ferrari for bundling all the postcards and Kathy for double checking and stamping them. To Bette Ellenbogen and Linda Greenwald thank you for rallying half of our volunteers yourselves.
DWC Collier County and Friends
Pauline Shea, Patty Dalesio, Anita Holmgren, Rita Armentrout and Daughter Tish,Betsy Munroe, Tracy Bartholf, Bette Ellenbogen, Linda Greenwald, Marlene Berman, Dianne Moran, Karen Knapp, Joann Young,
Josephine DeVincenzi, Jan Scanlon, Julie Lynch
With my Sincere Gratitude,
Acting President- Mary Alice “Molly” Cook
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Help Us Win In 2020
With Your $20.20 Donation
The Florida Democratic Party has announced that it is expanding its staff with the goal of having the largest state election organization in the country.
Here in Collier County, we are busier than ever and we need your help to sustain this--literally to keep the lights on and to help Democrats win. We are all volunteers, but there is overhead--printing, stamps, phones, rent, etc.
A sustaining donation of $20.20 a month will make a world of difference. Won't you help?
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People of all social classes
Parents and their children
Teachers and students
Workers and employers
Immigrants and their descendants
Activists, leaders, volunteers and followers
Peace-loving and justice-seeking
Successful and struggling
People of all races, religions, and sexual orientations
We
ARE
Democrats
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TUNE IN
Check out the latest videos from trusted news sources on our website,
www.CollierDems.org
. Click the button below to go to our
GALLERY
page and look for the videos from MSNBC, CBS, CNN, and other news services.
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Like this Newsletter?
Then tell your friends about it. They can subscribe by navigating to the Collier County Democratic Party website --
www.CollierDems.org
-- and click on the
NEWSLETTER
button in the menu.
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All Collier County Democratic Party clubs, caucuses, and candidates are invited to submit items for publication consideration in this newsletter, which is distributed monthly. Other groups whose goals and activities mirror the values and objectives of the Democratic Party are also invited to submit items for consideration.
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