January 9, 2022 / Newsletter 257 |
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WIN THE WAR ON VOTING!
Your donations help us in the fight for all eligible voters to be able to cast their votes & have them counted.
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Next meeting of the Hall County Dems:
When: Monday, January 10, 2022
Doors open at 6 pm,
meeting called to order at 6:30
Due to the CF game, we will keep this meeting SHORT!
Where: Gainesville Civic Center,
830 Green Street NE
Gainesville, GA 30501
Important announcements:
Due to increase in COVID infections in Hall County, masks are mandatory. If you aren't fully vaccinated, please stay home and join us later in 2022.
Our previously announced speaker will be re-scheduled later in the year.
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Update on MLK Day
Due to COVID, the Martin Luther King Day parade has been cancelled for this year. That means we won't be serving hot chocolate during the event. If you volunteered, thank you! We will have other opportunities as in-person events become less risky. See below for virtual events planned for the holiday commemoration.
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Newtown Florist Club Sharing Community News
2022 King Holiday Observance Activity Schedule
The following is a message from Newtown Florist Club Executive Director, Rose Johnson. See the information under Blue To Dos if you want to volunteer with Hall Country Dems on Kind Day.
The Newtown Florist Club is delighted to share with you details about our 52nd Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. schedule of activities in two parts. The theme this year is REBUILDING the VILLAGE One BRICK at a TIME!
Pre-King Week
Pre-King Week Teachable Moment Activities will begin Monday, January 10th, 2022, 6:30pm with a Facebook conversation (NFC Facebook page) about Faith and Spirituality in the African American Experience. See the detailed listing of weeklong teachable moment activities.
About King Day
On Monday, January 17th, 2022, 10am-the King Day Observance Program will be VIRTUAL (NFC Facebook page) including the Drum Major for Justice Awards, Youth Program and King Day March.
The Keynote Speaker this year is Oscar Fortson, Jr., a young, talented home-grown civil engineer who has an incredible story to share about living and growing up in Gainesville and the impact this village had on his life.
Our aim is to focus attention on emerging and next generation young leaders who are already making a difference in community life.
Rev. Rose Johnson
Executive Director
Newtown Florist Club Inc
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Upcoming key election dates:
First day to qualify to run for office: 9 AM March 7
Last day to qualify to run for office: NOON March 11
First day to request absentee ballot for May primary: March 11 (mailing out begins April 5)
Last day to register to vote in May primary: April 25
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Make a Blue 2022 Resolution |
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It's another IMPORTANT election year! Even if you don't usually make New Year's resolutions, make this the year you resolve to help turn Georgia BLUE! Your actions can help preserve our democracy, improve access to the vote, and continue the transformation of Georgia into a state that believes in progress, facts, science, and compassion.
This is the year that Georgia will put a Democrat in the Governor's Mansion, and in the offices of the Attorney General and Secretary of State, and elect Democrats as Commissioners of Labor and Agriculture.
Resolve to:
- Register to vote and be sure your registration is current and active
- Vote in every election
- For contested primary races, learn about the candidates to make your decision before you vote
- In the general election, vote for every Democrat ALL THE WAY DOWN THE BALLOT
- Support Democrats through donations, campaign work, and get out the vote activities
- Pick at least one thing from our Blue To Do lists and DO IT
Join us as we make our dream of a Blue Georgia come true in 2022.
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Apply to be a poll watcher |
Hall - WorkElections
Apply online by clicking on the "Apply Now!" button above. Hall County also has a downloadable PDF application, available here. Poll workers should plan to vote before Election Day unless they are assigned to their own polling place. Citizens who ...
Read more
workelections.com
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Interested in a career in politics? Georgia Dems have you covered!
Arena Academy is a program that trains current and aspiring political professionals in all things campaigns. If you've ever thought about pursuing a career in Democratic politics, this is an excellent way to get started.
The training will take place online February 3-7, 2022. If accepted, graduates from Arena Academy will work with their careers team to match with jobs on campaigns or progressive organizations around the country.
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Make Calls for GA Dems · Democratic Party of Georgia
2022 is a big year in Georgia and we need all the help we can to make sure Democrats have what they need in advance to turn out to the polls! Now is better than ever to get a head start on turning out as many voters as possible!
Read more
www.mobilize.us
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Weekly Thoughts from the Chair:
For want of a nail
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For want of a nail, the shoe was lost; for want of a shoe, the horse was lost; for want of a horse, the rider was lost; for want of a rider, the battle was lost; for want of a battle, the kingdom was lost – and all for the want of a horseshoe nail. Benjamin Franklin included his version of this proverb in Poor Richard's Almanac of 1758. His warning preceded the revolution that eventually resulted in the birth of our nation. Small things, missing when needed, can result in catastrophe.
The 1862 bloody battle of Antietam proves the point. A Confederate dispatch rider, carrying General Lee’s plans for battle, accidentally let the dispatch drop from his pocket when he stopped to relieve himself. The recovered dispatch allowed General McClellan to obtain a strategic victory – and gave President Lincoln the confidence to announce his Emancipation Proclamation.
To protect and preserve our democracy, we must have every possible Democratic vote. Each Democratic vote is a nail to secure the shoes on the Democratic horses that can become our thundering herd to victory. We must have those votes!
The simple truth is: In order to get those votes, we must have a great deal more financial support. We must be able to fund our fight against the Republicans War on Democracy.
We absolutely must ensure that every possible Democratic voter is registered. How do we do that without money? We absolutely must ensure that every possible Democratic voter knows when and where they can early vote and vote on election day. How do we do that without money? We absolutely must ensure that every possible Democratic voter knows how and when to apply for an absentee ballot. How do we do that without money? We absolutely must ensure that every possible Democratic voter knows how, when and where to return an absentee ballot. How do we do that without money?
It will take tens of thousands of dollars to make this effort in Hall County. If we fail, our democracy may well fail. Send your money. Ask your family to send their money. Ask your friends to send their money. Ask strangers to send their money. Your passion for democracy is infectious. Let everyone know that we are determined to preserve our democracy. Be the hammer that drives the nail. Do not let that nail go missing!
Mike.
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Report on the January 4, 2022 Hall County Board of Elections meeting |
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Director Lori Wurtz announced that in March the new voter registration system would be presented by the Secretary of State. She also announced that Board of Elections meetings will continue in person for the near future.
The Elections Manager, Paige Thompson, indicated that poll worker recruitment for the May 24th primary election has started. She anticipates needing 250 new poll workers for the primary election in May.
Proposals were presented for early voting days and hours for the May primary election. Much discussion followed. The following proposal was passed;
Seven locations will be available for early voting, Monday through Friday 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. for three weeks, as well as on two Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Early voting will be available on two Sundays, at one location, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Some brief discussion about the County Commission proposed changes to the Board of Elections took place. The County Attorney indicated that it is expected the issue will be resolved before the next Board of Elections meeting.
The next Board of Elections meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 8, 2022 in the 4th floor meeting room of the County Administration building at 3:30 p.m.
Frank Lock
HCDP Voter Protection Coordinator
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Hall County elections board approves Sunday early voting ...
Board members also asked Elections Manager Paige Thompson to search for an additional Sunday location in South Hall. Most polling locations do not have availability on Sunday, Thompson said, and it would be difficult to find space in South Hall....
Read more
www.gainesvilletimes.com
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How do we counter an insurrection?
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Last week, Attorney General Merrick Garland spoke publicly about the DOJ's investigation into the violent attacks on the Capitol on January 6, 2021. While not divulging any details, AG Garland pledged that DOJ would hold to account people who broke the law in connection with the siege on the U.S. Capitol last Jan. 6, no matter their level or "whether they were present that day or were otherwise criminally responsible for the assault on democracy."
President Joe Biden gave a speech commemorating that day in which he firmly placed the blame at the feet of his predecessor. His words were a call to arms to defend our democracy. Vice President Kamala Harris, speaking before the President, said that on January 6th, "we all saw what our nation would look like if the forces who seek to dismantle our democracy are successful. The lawlessness, the violence, the chaos."
Bennie Thompson, chair of the House Investigative Committee, has promised that they will televise public hearings in prime time. The committee will call on Mike Pence to testify this month. They already have tens of thousands of pages of texts, phone logs and documents, and have interviewed over 300 witnesses. Thompson says that some GOP members of Congress met with some of the insurrectionists prior to January 6. Every day, some new piece of information released by the committee shows how the siege at the Capitol was part of a larger plan by which Team Trump sought to overturn an election.
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President Biden speaks on the anniversary of Jan. 6...
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris deliver remarks Thursday marking one year since the deadly Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol.Speaking from t...
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www.youtube.com
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Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Delivers Remarks...
An official website of the United States government
Read more
www.justice.gov
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Introducing The Aftermath: A Podcast Series from Lawfare
A new narrative podcast series from Lawfare and Goat Rodeo on picking up the pieces after the Jan. 6 insurrection.
Read more
www.lawfareblog.com
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Georgia Republicans planned a vigil for 'J6 Patriots' on ...
Some Georgia Republicans planned to spend the anniversary of the attack on the U.S. Capitol praying - not just for those killed or hurt during the Jan. 6 riot, but for the "'J6' Prisoners" and "J6 Patriots" who stormed the building in a futile...
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www.washingtonpost.com
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A 'simple' gesture: Congressman reflects on photo that...
For Rep. Andy Kim, D-N.J., the Jan. 6 Capitol riot continues to be a difficult topic to broach with his two young Asian American children. He's struggled to find the right words. "When I saw my kids for the first time after Jan.
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www.nbcnews.com
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Jan. 6 committee plans to seek voluntary testimony from...
WASHINGTON - The House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by a mob of supporters of former President Donald Trump is contemplating seeking voluntary testimony from former Vice President Mike Pence "some time this ...
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news.yahoo.com
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Thinking about running for office?
The Democratic Training Committee is here to help
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We’re looking for candidates to run for office in 2022. Here are some resources for those who are considering running for office. Click on the course name or “Show details” to learn more or sign up.
Virtual event · Join from anywhere
Join the National Democratic Training Committee on Wednesday, January 12th, 2022 from 1-2 pm ET for a free virtual live training on “Building a Candidate Suppor...
Eastern time
Virtual event · Join from anywhere
Are you considering running for office? Are you ready to run and you want to know how? We’re here to help! Join the National Democratic Training Committee on Th...
Eastern time
Virtual event · Join from anywhere
Join the National Democratic Training Committee on Thursday, January 13th from 8-9:30 pm ET for a free virtual live training on “Running in a Red District.” Whe...
Eastern time
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State & Local News (Some links may require a subscription)
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PLEASE NOTE: Any articles we post about Georgia Democrats on the primary ballot in 2022 are intended to keep you informed. They are not an endorsement of any candidate. |
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Buford businessman Barry Sanders announces campaign for...
Barry Sanders, a small business owner in Buford, announced Tuesday, Jan. 4, he will run for State House District 30, attempting to fill the seat that longtime Rep. Emory Dunahoo was drawn out of, after the latest round of redistricting.
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www.gainesvilletimes.com
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Georgia judges attend fundraiser thrown by controversial ...
ATLANTA - Two of the attorneys involved in President Donald Trump's efforts to overturn Georgia's 2020 election held a fundraiser for six of the state's top judges this week, Channel 2 investigative reporter Justin Gray learned. The invite to the ...
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www.wsbtv.com
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Opinion | The GOP grip on states is becoming a horror...
As the political world stumbles into 2022, the GOP grip on state governments appears as formidable as ever. Republicans will fully control the governorship and legislature in nearly half of states, while for Democrats it's less than one-third....
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www.washingtonpost.com
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Georgia marks first anniversary since making United...
Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock won their respective runoff races on January 5, 2021 ATLANTA - January 5 marks one year since Georgia made political history, electing Democrats Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock to the U.S. Senate....
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www.11alive.com
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Sen. Warnock says voting rights legislation is a moral issue
MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST: As the two of us hosted this show one year ago today, a violent insurrection was playing out. (SOUNDBITE OF JANUARY 6 INSURRECTION) AILSA CHANG, HOST: Angry Trump supporters had fought their way into the U.S. Capitol...
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www.wunc.org
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National News (Some links may require a subscription)
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Opinion | Jimmy Carter: I Fear for Our Democracy
Mr. Carter was the 39th president of the United States. This article is part of a collection on the events of Jan. 6, one year later. Read more in a note from Times Opinion's politics editor Ezekiel Kweku in our Opinion Today newsletter.
Read more
www.nytimes.com
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More than 1,000 US public figures aided Trump's effort...
More than 1,000 Americans in positions of public trust acted as accomplices in Donald Trump's attempt to overturn the 2020 election result, participating in the violent insurrection at the US Capitol on 6 January or spreading the "big lie" that...
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www.theguardian.com
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Analysis: A citizen's guide to saving democracy
After a week of urgent warnings about the state of American democracy, what's the average citizen supposed to do about it? Here's what a politician, an activist and a professor who studies democracy had to say.
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www.cnn.com
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Opinion: The World Watches the U.S. Wrestle With...
Over the past year, citizens from across the United States have pressured members of Congress to advance federal legislation to safeguard the country's democracy. They've marched, called, written, risked arrest, and even engaged in hunger strikes .
Read more
www.usnews.com
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