Monthly news & updates

St. Johns County Democratic Party

71 S. Dixie Highway, Suite 6

St. Augustine, FL 32084

Phone: 904-825-2336

Currently Open Monday-Wednesday, 11 am - 3 pm

March 27, 2022

Dear Friend,



With campaign season heating up, our headquarters is getting busier by the day. St. Johns County DEMs are also out and about knocking on doors, making calls, recruiting candidates, holding meetings and socials, working on special committees, registering voters, planning rallies and so much more. We invite you to stop in soon to check out the happenings and see what you can do to help prepare Democrats for the upcoming election.

The recently concluded Florida legislative session clarified once and for all that Republicans in Tallahassee are determined to wage a culture war instead of attending to the every day needs of Floridians. Rather than working to resolve the affordable housing issue, fix rising property insurance, improve our schools, and protect our precious natural resources, they opted to ban books, censor discussions of racial history and gender identity, interfere with a woman's right to control her own body, restrict voting rights and more.This is not freedom, and it's time to vote them out.

Even as we struggle to protect our freedom here at home, we are witnessing a horrific war between democracy and autocracy abroad. As one writer notes, Putin's war on Ukraine is nothing less than a war between self-government and fascism. We must prove that democracy still rules in America, for our own sake and for the world. Stay strong, and join us as we fight the good fight together.

--Robin Dion, Chair

Our clubs, caucuses, and volunteers are in full swing canvassing voters throughout St. Johns County! As our second round of outreach, we are visiting the homes of registered Democrats for whom we have no valid phone number to encourage voting in this year's election. We invite YOU to join the fun! You can choose from a range of dates and locations hosted by our various clubs and caucuses -- each is highlighted in RED font throughout this newsletter.

On the day of each canvass, we gather for snacks at the location indicated, receive a list of voters to visit, and go out to work in pairs in the neighborhood, returning to home base within an hour or two to celebrate and swap stories. You can volunteer to be a canvasser, a driver, or to help with set up and clean up at home base. It's fun, rewarding and a great way to spend time with like-minded people! 

Monthly training in canvassing is provided by the St. Johns Democratic Party, with the next one on April 13th at 7 PM via Zoom. You can sign up for training HERE.

On March 6th, our Candidate Support Committee hosted a gathering to facilitate a meeting of prospective candidates, campaign managers, and supporters with currently elected local Democratic leaders. Remarks by Rep. Angie Nixon, Commissioner Becker, and Commissioner Mirgeaux were insightful and inspiring, as were comments by candidates Jim Springfield (for City of St. Augustine Commission) and Laura Abell (for SJC School Board). Many thanks to all who contributed and supported this event!

With campaign season heating up and the candidate qualifying period approaching, it is time to get serious about running for office. If you (or someone you know) has been pondering a possible run, please contact a member of our Candidate Support Committee by emailing Kiki Karpen HERE. We are happy to share information about current openings and provide a wealth of resources and opportunities to get you started. We are pleased to announce that our Campaign Handbook for Democrats in St. Johns County is now final and ready for distribution, and our first monthly support meet-up for candidates-only will be held in April.

Please be our eyes and ears and refer any Democrats potentially interested in serving in local office to our committee by sending an email HERE.

Every day, the people of Ukraine are giving their lives for democracy. We stand in solidarity with their country even as we work to defend democracy here at home. To show our support, the Blue Guardians of Democracy club is organizing a non-partisan rally on April 10th, 4-6 PM. We will gather on the lawn of the Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine to lift our voices in support of Ukraine and the critical need to protect and defend democracy everywhere.

The event will feature Ukrainian speakers, song and poetry, and will highlight artwork from Ukrainian refugees. A local artist who is donating proceeds of her artwork to Ukraine will also be featured, along with speakers from Red Cross Ukraine and the League of Women Voters. Participants will be encouraged to donate to the Ukrainian relief effort.

For more information, please contact the Blue Guardians HERE. Additional volunteers are needed to help with set up and take down. Please email us HERE to volunteer.

Mark your calendars and plan to join us as we stand up for democracy here and abroad.

April 10th, 4-6 PM

Castillo de San Marcos, St. Augustine, FL

NOT TRAINED? If you have not already been trained to register voters by the St. Johns Democrats since 2020, we offer a monthly training that includes all the most up to date information on current voter registration laws. You can sign up for the April or May training HERE. It takes about an hour, and you can take the training either in person or via Zoom. 

DROP IN EVERY TUESDAY between 11 AM and 3 PM to help with voter outreach activities! This month's ACTION TUESDAYS will focus on preparing canvass bags and making phone calls to Democrats. Anyone can do it. This is a great opportunity to get together with fellow Democrats for some fun, good conversation, and activities that make a difference. No need to sign up, just drop in!

From Joanne Pero, Volunteer Coordinator:

The 2022 election season is in full swing and our headquarters gets busier by the day! We need your help to staff the office. No experience necessary. You can sign up for one 4-hour shift or multiple 4-hour shifts. If you can only help out for 2 or 3 hours, sign up for a slot and make a note of that in the comments. Click HERE to select your day and sign up!

It's great to be involved. Ron DeSantis and Marco Rubio must go and it's time St. Johns County had more Democratic representation. Thank you for your help. Let's go Blue!

Blue Guardians of Democracy

Tuesday, April 19th, 6:00 – 7:00pm

Meets Monthly on the third Tuesday

Blue Guardians of Democracy is a new democratic club in West St. Johns County. Email us here to sign up for our April meeting. To become a member, please submit your application and annual membership fee of $15 by clicking HERE.

April 3, 2022, 12:00 - 5:30 PM

Canvass of Precinct 501 and After-Party!

World Golf Village area

Sign up here to join the fun!

April 7th, 3 - 5 PM

Monthly Card Game Social

On the first Thursday of each month we host a card game. Barbara Larimer will host and teach Canasta on April 7th. Come out to join us even if you do not want to play cards, just to have some food, drink, and good conversations about common issues that concern us all. Send email to demwg16club@outlook.com for more information or to sign up for the game. Location: Royal St. Augustine Golf & Country Club, 301 Royal St Augustine Pkwy, St. Augustine, FL

Democratic Black Caucus of St. Johns County

Monday, April 4th, 6:00 – 8:00pm

Meets Monthly on the first Monday

Please join us for our next monthly meeting. For more information or to RSVP, you may contact us HERE. You can also check out our Facebook group HERE or email us HERE for more information.

Help us canvass Democrats in our some of our most vulnerable communities!

Saturday, April 16th: Precinct 209, Hastings Area

Sign up HERE to help us canvass! And if you aren't trained yet, you can also use this same link to sign up for training by the DEC.

Democratic Environmental Caucus, St. Johns County Chapter

Wednesday, April 6th, 6:30 – 7:30pm

Meets Monthly on the first Wednesday

Adam Morley will be guest speaker on April 6th. He will "talk trash" about plastic recycling, review his past experiences and talk of future plans to run for local political office.

This will be a hybrid meeting, in-person at Democratic Party headquarters, 71 S. Dixie Hwy., Suite 6, St. Augustine OR via Zoom. Pre-registration is required if attending by Zoom, please click HERE. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. For more information, you may email us here.

Help our chapter canvass Democrats!

Sunday, April 24th, 1:00 to 4:00 PM

Precinct 504

Meet us at 411 17th Street, St. Augustine, FL

Democratic Women's Club, St. Johns County

Tuesday, April 5th, 5:30 – 6:30pm

Meets Monthly on the first Tuesday

Our meeting on April 5th will feature Marianne Wareham from the Friends Committee on National Legislation, who will present on the Environmental Justice for All Act. Please use the THIS LINK to register and pay for the meeting meal. You may contact us HERE for more information. If you haven't renewed your annual membership in DWC but would like to, you may do so HERE.

Saturday, April 2, 9:45 AM -- 1:00 PM

Join us to canvass Democrats in Precincts 505 and 507!

Meet us at Dem Party Headquarters: 71 S. Dixie Highway, Suite 6, St. Augustine

Please sign up HERE to join us!

Help us canvass Democrats in northwest St. Johns County! Dates and sign up links below

Precinct 101, March 30th-31st

For info or to sign up, go HERE

Precinct 103, April 9th

For info or to sign up, go HERE

Precinct 107, April 16th

For info or to sign up, go HERE

Northwest St. Johns County United for Progress

Monday, April 11th, 7:00 – 8:00pm

Meets Monthly on the second Monday

At our April 11th meeting, we will feature Lance Hart and Deirdre Irwin of St. Johns Water Management District to discuss water quality and conservation in St. Johns County. We will meet in person at 2777 Race Track Rd. Join us for the social at 6:30pm social; meeting begins at 7pm. Email nwsjcp@gmail.com for Zoom link if interested in attending virtually.

Celebrate Earth Day with NWUP's Earth Day Naturalist Hike at Gourd Island!

Saturday, April 23rd

For info or to sign up, go HERE

Join us for the Gourd Island Preserve Wetland Delineation Walk to learn how the state locates the wetland edge. Led by Deirdre Irwin, Water Conservation Coordinator and Lance Hart, Wetland Regulatory Scientist with the St Johns River Water Management District.

Ponte Vedra Democratic Club

Tuesday, April 19th, 6:30 – 7:30pm

Meets Monthly on the third Tuesday

Noted Florida political columnist (FloridaPolitics.com) and guest on WJCT's Melissa Ross show, A.G. Gancarski, will join us to discuss "Florida Politics As I See It - What to Watch For." We meet at Christ Episcopal Church, 400 San Juan Dr, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL and all are welcome. Please email us HERE for more information and to RSVP.

Join us to canvass Democrats in Ponte Vedra and surrounding area!

Saturday, April 9th, 3:00 – 6:00pm

Precinct 405, Palm Valley and Nocatee North

Please sign up HERE

Saturday, April 16th, 1:00 – 3:00pm

Precinct 403: Ponte Vedra Beach area

Please sign up to help HERE

Saturday, April 30th, 1:00 – 3:00pm

Precinct 410: Nocatee

Please sign up to help HERE

St. Augustine Beach Democrats

Tuesday, April 5th, 5:00 – 6:00 PM

Meets Monthly on the first Tuesday

St. Augustine Beach Democrats is a new club that is advocating for better policies, making our voices heard regarding issues on our island, and working toward getting out the vote in St. Augustine Beach. Our April meeting will feature a speaker on local human trafficking as well as a speaker on the history of Women in Florida. Please contact us HERE for more information and to RSVP for the meeting.

St. Augustine Democratic Club

Tuesday, April 12th, 7:00 – 8:00pm

Monthly on the second Tuesday

The St. Augustine Democratic Club normally meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM by Zoom. For information about the April meeting or possible social gathering, please contact us HERE or call 904-484-4960.

Our Blue Bag Lunch continues in person on Wednesdays at 12:00 Noon at the Center for Spiritual Living, 1795 Old Moultrie Rd. Everyone is invited to bring their lunch and join us for political discussions. We are encouraging our members to attend local opportunities to support Ukraine. On Wednesdays at 6:30 PM, people are invited to join the Labyrinth Walk for Ukraine on the Commons at St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church, corner of MLK Ave. and Lovett for people of good hearts and all faiths. Sponsored by Compassionate St. Augustine and St. Cyprian's.

Young Democrats Club, St. Johns County

Monday, March 21st, 6:30 – 7:30pm

Meets Monthly on the third Monday

If you are between the ages of 14 and 40 and interested in supporting Democratic values, consider joining the St. Johns County Young Democrats. Please email us here for more information. You can join our online monthly meetings by using THIS LINK.

We Are an All-Volunteer Organization Committed to Electing Democrats All up and Down the Ballot

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St Johns Democratic Party. Please mail to

71 S. Dixie Highway, Suite 6, St. Augustine, FL 32084.

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