Monthly news & updates
St. Johns County Democratic Party
71 S. Dixie Highway, Suite 6
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Phone: 904-825-2336
www.StJohnsDemocrats.org
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Bans Off Our Bodies! Oct. 2nd, 4 PM |
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Florida is next in line for an extreme Texas-style abortion ban, which does not exempt victims of rape and incest and allows the public to sue anyone helping a woman after just 6 weeks of pregnancy.
According to NPR, "Republican state Rep. Webster Barnaby filed the 40-page proposal — called the " Florida Heartbeat Act" on Wednesday. It would prevent physicians from performing abortions if there is a "detectable fetal heartbeat," effectively banning abortions after about six weeks into pregnancy, before many people even know they are pregnant."
"Reproductive health experts have explained that the term "fetal heartbeat" is misleading and not based on science, as NPR's Selena Simmons-Duffin reports. At six weeks, the ultrasound machine is detecting electrical activity from cells that aren't yet a heart, and the "sound" is actually manufactured by the machine." NPR goes on to note that "incorrectly calling a fetus a 'baby' or 'the unborn' is part of the strategy used by antiabortion groups to shift language/legality/public opinion."
We must make our voices heard! Be part of the nationwide rally by joining us right here in St. Johns County.
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Nikki Fried - Oct. 7th at 6:30 PM -- Register Now! |
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Who will be Florida's next governor?
In just a little over a year, Florida will hold its gubernatorial election. Several Democratic candidates are running, including Florida's Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Nikki Fried.
The St. Johns County Democratic Party and the Environmental Caucus of St. Johns County are pleased to co-host Nikki Fried for an event on Oct. 7th and YOU are invited!
The purpose of this event is to educate ourselves about this candidate; it does not constitute an endorsement. Other candidates will have a similar opportunity to share their platforms and address our questions.
The event will be held via Zoom, please pre-register by clicking on this link:
After registering, you will receive an email with information about how to join the event on Oct. 7th at 6:30 PM.
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Priming the Pump to Ensure
Strong Democratic Turnout in 2022
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In October, the St. Johns Democrats kick off their first county-wide canvassing effort! We'll be knocking on the doors of selected Democrats to encourage them to sign up for a mail ballot. We'll explain that getting a mail ballot doesn't preclude them from instead voting in person, but it does ensure their ability to vote if they can't get to the polls for reasons like illness, emergency, or being out of town.
Data from past elections show us that being enrolled in the vote-by-mail program INCREASES turnout significantly, thereby ensuring a strong Democratic showing next fall. This is essential in a mid-term election like the upcoming one where turnout rates are generally lower than in presidential elections. With the gubernatorial election and other important positions up for election November 2022, we must do all we can to promote high turnout!
Our group canvasses are FUN! Volunteers meet as a group at a home in the targeted area, receive a brief training and materials, go out in pairs into the neighborhoods, and return for some refreshments and story-swapping! The weather is beautiful for a nice stroll, and those who have difficulty walking can serve as a driver for another volunteer.
You can join a group canvass by clicking here or by contacting Volunteer@stjohnsdemocrats.org. Please indicate your precinct number or address and specify that you're interested in joining a group canvass.
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Vaccine Clinic at Headquarters Oct. 16th! |
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The St. Johns DEMs are excited to sponsor a clinic for free COVID-19 vaccinations on Saturday, Oct. 16th! We encourage anyone, especially those in the communities surrounding our headquarters which are under-vaccinated, to come in and get protected from the virus that has killed and sickened so many.
BOOSTERS: The CDC has authorized COVID-19 vaccine booster shots for Pfizer vaccine recipients who completed their initial series at least 6 months ago and are 65 years and older or an adult with an underlying medical condition or who works or lives in high-risk settings.
CHILDREN: The CDC recommends everyone 12 years and older get a COVID-19 vaccination to help protect against COVID-19. Widespread vaccination is a critical tool to help stop the pandemic. Fully vaccinated children can resume activities that they did prior to the pandemic.
If you would like to sign up for a vaccination, please register for one of the slots available between 10 AM and 4 PM by clicking here. Please bring your vaccination card if you have already received at least one COVID-19 shot. Free pizza and refreshments!
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Redistricting aka Gerrymandering |
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Redistricting happens every 10 years, when states, counties, cities, towns, and special districts must redraw their district boundaries to reflect the changes in population based on Census data. Per Federal law, the new boundaries are supposed to be drawn to have relatively equal numbers of people, with minorities fairly represented. In practice, the lines are often drawn in such a way that favors one political party over another, known as gerrymandering.
We have created an ad-hoc committee of interested Democrats who are actively following the developments in St. Johns County and preparing a strategy for ensuring fairness. The county is considering four proposals for redistricting and will be taking public comments on them during October and November. Please contact Rhona DiCamillo at rkd@dg-cg.com if you are interested in joining the team. You may also follow the redistricting process and submit comments on the St. Johns County School District website.
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Returning to Regular Hours at HQ |
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At this time, DEC leadership has decided to re-open headquarters Monday through Thursday, 11 to 3 PM. We will continue to require masks and social distance. You may wish to call 703-862-1890 before coming in if possible. Thank you for your patience and please continue masking up!
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Action Tuesdays at Headquarters! |
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St. Johns DEMs are ACTIVE! During Action Tuesdays, volunteers mailed letters to 1,448 newly registered Democrats, sent text messages to 13,236 Democrats with cell phones, and phoned 2,404 Democrats with a landline. In October, we'll be preparing turf packets for canvassers and continuing mail operations. Please join us Tuesdays anytime between 11 - 3 PM for drop-in voter outreach and networking with your DEM friends! Our headquarters is at 71 S. Dixie Highway, Suite 6, St. Augustine.
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National Voter Registration Day Fun! |
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What a great time we had celebrating National Voter Registration Day at two locations in St. Johns County on Tuesday 9/28. Our presence reminded the Lincolnville and West Augustine communities that we care and that an election is coming! Here are some snaps of members of the Democratic Black Caucus and St. Johns DEMs who participated. Many thanks to all! |
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October Calendar for Volunteer and
Precinct Leader Trainings
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October 12th, 6:30 PM: Precinct Leader Training: VBM Canvassing, Building a Team
In person at headquarters or by Zoom. Register here
October 8th, 11 AM: VAN 101
By Zoom only. Register here
October 15th, 11 AM: VAN Hands on Workshop
By Zoom only. Register here
October 20th, 2 PM: Voter Registration Training
In person at headquarters AND by Zoom. Register here
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Democratic Clubs and Caucuses! |
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Democratic Black Caucus of St. Johns County
October 4th, 6 PM
Monthly Meeting
For more information or to RSVP, please contact Loren Darden at 2ndvp.sjcdbc@gmail.com
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Democratic Women's Club of St. Johns County
November 2nd, 5:30 PM
Monthly Meeting in-person.
Cimarrone Golf Club at 2800 Cimarrone Blvd, St Johns. Our guest speaker will be the Executive Director of the St. Augustine Homeless Coalition. $30 for buffet dinner.
Please RSVP to Pam Mirelson, mirelsonp@gmail.com.
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Northwest St. Johns County United for Progress
October 11th at 7 PM
Monthly meeting. Our guest speaker will be Sara Bloomberg with House of Prisom, who will speak on LGBTQAI+ rights and opportunities. Via Zoom at this link
October 19th, 5:30 PM
Pizza Party at Moon Dog Pie House Patio
116 Bartram Oaks Walk
No reservations needed; vaccination required
October 25th, 10:00 AM
Coffee and Conversation
Maple Street Biscuit Company Patio
No reservations needed; vaccination required
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Ponte Vedra Democratic Club
October 19th at 6:30 PM
Monthly meeting in person at Christ Episcopal Church
400 San Juan Road, Ponte Vedra Beach
Join one of our canvasses!
10/10, 2 PM
10/13, 10 AM
10/30, 1 PM
Please contact jkary@verizon.net for more details and to RSVP for meeting.
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St. Augustine Democratic Club
October 9th, 6 PM
Club Fundraiser "Jazz Beneath the Stars" featuring the House Cats
For more information, contact staugdemclub@gmail.com
October 12th at 7 PM
Monthly Meeting via Zoom
Guest Speaker: Steve Schale
For more information, contact staugdemclub@gmail.com
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Young Democrats Club, St. Johns County
October 18th, 6:30 PM
Monthly Meeting
Contact sjcydems@gmail.com for Zoom link
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Thank you!
You may also contribute by check, payable to
St Johns Democratic Party. Please mail to
71 S. Dixie Highway, Suite 6, St. Augustine, FL 32084.
Please note your address, phone, and email, and
Include occupation if contribution is $100 or more.
Please Note: Contributions to political parties are not tax-deductible.
Political advertisement paid for by St. Johns Democratic Party, 71 S. Dixie Highway, Suite 6, St. Augustine, FL 32084. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
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