The new Biden/Harris signs have arrived. Details Below. |
|
Voting Has Started -- Make Your Election Plan, Cast Your Ballot & Volunteer
By Annisa Karim
Collier County Democratic Party Chair
Hello Democrats.
It’s crunch time! Our Vote-by-Mail ballots have been mailed to us and now it’s all in our hands.
I know, the anxiety is building and sometimes if feels overwhelming. So, here’s what to do: Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and think about the people you are fighting for. Are you fighting for a better future for your kids or grandkids? Are you fighting to make sure we are all treated equally regardless of color, religion, ethnicity, or socio-economic status? Are you fighting to make sure women can make their own healthcare decisions? Are you fighting to make sure we leave future generations with a habitable planet? Are you fighting for a living wage? Are you fighting for better public schools? Are you fighting for a better tomorrow?
Okay, open your eyes. Let the anxiety and feeling of helplessness leave your body….it’s time to get to work.
“If we don't fight hard enough for the things we stand for, at some point we have to recognize that we don't really stand for them.” ~ Paul Wellstone
Right now, we have to make sure we get our friends and family out to vote. Read this newsletter and learn about all of our voting recommendations. Then, make your voting plan. Are you voting by mail? Are you voting in-person during Early Voting? Are you voting at your precinct on Nov. 3?
Make the plan now and call five friends and ask them what their plans are. Then, check with them to make sure they stick to their plans. We must move our community to action, we must vote!
If you can spare 20 minutes a day, help us call fellow Democrats and remind them to return their Vote-by-Mail ballots. OR, help us with Literature Assembly. OR, help us with No Contact Literature Drops.
Friends, this is the moment where we walk the walk!
Let's keep moving #ForwardTogether
|
Your Democratic Party is Rolling into Action
The Collier County Democratic Party is rolling into action to support candidates up and down the ballot.
|
By the time this newsletter reaches you, 80,000 Democrats and potential Democratic voters will have received a mass mailing with our candidate and issues recommendations (also listed later in this newsletter).
Hundreds of volunteers are making phone calls encouraging people to vote, especially those who asked for Vote-By-Mail ballots. Using information provided by the Supervisor of Elections Office, we're able to track who has voted, and volunteers will be following up, asking people who have yet to vote to do so as soon as possible.
And if people run into problems with their mail-in ballots, we have a team ready to help them "cure" whatever errors need correcting.
|
Even more volunteers are engaged in door-to-door "no-contact" delivery of baggies filled with information about our candidates and helpful instructions on how to make a voting plan.
We're making robo calls, reminding people to turn in their Vote-By-Mail ballots, and encouraging people to vote early and on election day.
The Florida Democratic Party and the Biden/Harris campaign have a statewide texting operation cranking up.
And here in Collier County, we are producing dozens of social media ads that are being distributed right now to targeted audiences throughout the county.
|
And these social media ads are complemented by a series of radio ads we've produced to support our candidates, including a heavy schedule on Spanish-language radio. And we've produced an amazing video entitled "Vote Like Your Life Depends On it." (Check it out. Share it with your friends.)
Once in-person voting starts with Early Voting (Oct. 19-31), and then on Election Day (Nov. 3), our Voter Protection Team will have volunteers observing at the polls to ensure the integrity of the voting process. These Poll Observers will record issues and report any problems to a special hotline for resolution.
In addition to supporting our Democratic candidates with all this effort, thanks to generous contributions from our supporters through direct donations and fundraisers, we have also donated directly to each campaign.
This is all happening because we have so many wonderful, hard-working, and dedicated volunteers. It's a lot of work, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime election that demands the best from all of us.
And there are plenty of opportunities to volunteer as you will see elsewhere in this newsletter.
|
Our Candidate and Amendment Recommendations
|
For more details on the Constitutional Amendments click here.
|
Mark Your Calendars for these Debates and Town Halls |
On Sept. 28, Democratic candidate for Congress Cindy Banyai will face off against State Rep. Byron Donalds in a debate sponsored by WGCU Public Media and the USA TODAY Network-Florida from 8-9 p.m. It will stream simultaneously on naplesnews.com and on the newspaper’s Facebook page. it can also be heard on WGCU’s two radio channels at 90.1 or 91.7 FM.
Other appearances she has scheduled include:
|
Oct.. 3, 6 p.m. – Dunbar Community Candidate Forum – Join in person at Quality of Life Center, 3210 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33916, view on Fox 4
Oct. 7, 6 p.m .– Estero Bay Republicans Debate – Elks’ Club – 3231 Coconut Rd, 3231 Coconut Rd, Bonita Springs, FL 34134.
Oct. 26, 5 p.m. – Collier Freedom Debate – Zoom, contact Cindy Banyai for details.
|
On Oct. 1, Democrat David Turrubiartez Jr. will participate in an Immokalee Virtual Town Hall Meeting from 8-9 p.m.
The town hall will be available to participate in on Zoom. You can join the town hall by logging on at www.zoom.us and entering the meeting ID: 833 733 3399.
Here are the dates for the presidential and vice presidential debates. They all start at 9 p.m.:
First presidential debate
Date: Tuesday, Sept. 29
Vice presidential debate
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 7
Second presidential debate
Date: Thursday, Oct. 15
Third presidential debate
Date: Thursday, Oct. 22
|
Calling all Phone Bankers!
Now that vote-by-mail ballots are in the hands of voters, time is of the essence.Our last phone bank had great success increasing VBM participation and now it's time to follow through.Help us make sure every vote is counted!
Our new VBM Ballot Chase phone bank is just getting started. We are calling all Democrats and encouraging them to return their ballots as quickly as possible.
Click here to sign up for Virtual Phone Bank Training.
|
There's Mail-in-Voting, Early Voting, Election Day Voting. Let's face it, it can be a little confusing.
Let us help.
Check out our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) on who is eligible to vote, how to register, how to request a Vote-By-Mail ballot, when to vote, where to vote. In short, everything you can think to ask about voting.
|
Listen to our Podcasts…
There's so much going on as we count down to Election Day. How to keep up? One way is through our Collier Democratic Roundup podcasts, hosted by Collier County Democratic Party Vice Chair Jeff Spencer. Check them out.
|
BIDEN /HARRIS Signs Are Now Available at Our Reopened Headquarters
The Collier County Democratic Party's headquarters has reopened with limited hours, and Biden/Harris yard signs are available for pickup at our location, 600 Goodlette-Frank Road in Naples. The signs are free. Limit, two to a customer.
We are emphasizing safety at headquarters, limiting the number of people who may be inside the building at any given time and requiring everyone to wear protective masks.
Our new office hours are:
Sunday: Noon - 4 p.m.
Monday: Noon - 4 p.m.
Tuesday: Noon - 4 p.m.
Wednesday: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Thursday: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Friday: Noon - 4 p.m.
Saturday: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Got questions? Call HQ at (239) 434-7754.
|
Election Day Poll Observers Needed
Join the Voter Protection Team & Help Protect Voters in Collier County on Nov. 3
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 report suppression and intimidation.
Our training program will prepare you to observe at the Polls on Election Day, Nov. 3. The first 60-minute session provides an overview of the voting structure and organization in Collier County and a detailed view of each the Poll Watcher, Poll Greeter and Steering Wheel Brigade roles. A follow-up 60-minute session will prepare you to log issues in the Democratic National Committee issue tracking system.
We have recruited over 100 volunteers to date! We want YOU to be part of our team.
Contacts:
|
We Honor and Vow to Continue the Legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
As we mourn the passing of one of the most effective Supreme Court Justices in history, we remember Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s work as critically important to the way many Americans are able to live their lives in freedom.
|
Trump's Broken Promises to Hispanic Community Glaring as Hispanic Heritage Month Begins
Joe Biden celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month in Florida and reaffirms his commitment expanding opportunity and prosperity for the Hispanic community in Florida.
Trump Plan Could Deport 300,000 Immigrants
Court ruling pressed by the Trump Administration would clear the way to deport hundreds of thousands of immigrants, many of whom have families and have lived here for years.
|
Sara McFadden at League of Women Voters Debate
State House candidate Sara McFadden participates in a candidate debate and receives an endorsement from the Collier County Education Association.
Latino Faith Leaders Endorse Biden and Harris
More than 50 Latino faith leaders from across the country have announced their endorsement of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris for President and Vice President.
|
Laura Novosad Scores Multiple Endorsements
Laura Novosad receives endorsements from numerous organizations, including Vote Water, the Florida Environmental Caucus, Democratic Women’s Club, Planned Parenthood, and Moms Demand Action.
Cindy Banyai Announces 3 Mutual endorsements
Congressional candidate Cindy Banyai has announced three mutual endorsements among other Democratic candidates.
|
Keep Up With Democratic Party News
Collier County Democratic Party Website:
Florida Democratic Party on Facebook:
|
Waving for BIDEN
We will have sign waving for Biden events throughout Collier County through October. They are being planned now. Our first one will be on Sept. 29. Click here to sign up.
|
Democrats Day of Action in Immokalee Oct. 3
Join Democrats in Immokalee for a Day of Action on Saturday, Oct 3, 9 a.m.-noon to distribute bags of candidate and voting literature for Laura Novosad, candidate for FL HD 80, and David Turrubiartez, candidate for Collier County Commission, District 5, and Team Biden/Harris.
Masks and social distancing are required for this outdoor, no-contact delivery.
Sign up for one of the 30 minute intervals to pick up your supplies at the Community Pavillion. After you sign up, you will get an email with all the details.
You do not have to ring the doorbell, knock on the door, or speak to the residents. You are just leaving the bag of literature on their front door handle or as close as you can get to it (gate, fence, front porch).
Some of the lists will be walking lists, and some driving. We encourage you to work in pairs to assist each other and ensure safety. If you do not have a person to assist you who lives in your “pandemic bubble”, but you want to bring another volunteer along to help, please be sure that you both wear masks, keep hand sanitizer in your car, and open the windows frequently for fresh air! We want all of our volunteers to be safe.
Sign up here for the time you want to pick up your supplies.
|
Help Us Get into Gated Communities
to Distribute Literature
Democrats are doing literature drops to doors of Democrats and No Party Affiliation voters all over Collier County. We will be working between now and election day. Some of those doors are behind gated communities. We need Democrats in each gated community who will host our canvassing teams.
Can you help? If so, click here:
Political Canvassing is NOT SOLICITING. It IS LEGAL and it is protected under the First Amendment. The only stipulation is that the canvassers are registered as guests of someone in the community. Click here to learn more.
Before we schedule a canvass in your gated community, we will call you with the names of the Democrats who will be doing no-contact literature drops to targeted doors behind your gates. We'll ask you to put our drivers on your guest list. That’s all you need to do! Sign up here to get on this list!
|
Spanish, Creole Speakers Needed
We need multilingual people to help speak to members of our community about the importance of voting in this election. Please let us know if you speak SPANISH by signing up here.
|
Democratic Women's Club of Marco
The next meeting of DWCMarco will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 29 at 6 pm. We will be joining our Collier County Democratic Club partners for a presentation from Sandy Parker who will speak on what Collier voters can expect in the general election and a review of amendments that will be on the ballot.
Once you have signed up, you will receive a confirmation email. On September 28 you will receive an email with the GoToMeeting link and instructions.
|
Collier County Democratic Club
Please join us October 19 at 6 pm to hear from our local candidates! David Turrubiartez Jr. for County Commission, as well as Sara McFadden, Maureen Porras, and Laura Novosad running for Florida House. Sign up for the meeting here
|
Got a Car? You can Help
No-contact literature delivery drivers needed SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. It is time for boots on the ground in Collier County. Materials are ready for volunteers to begin delivery to targeted doors of Democrats and left leaning NPAs.
We recommend you bring a helper to assist you, but if that helper does not share a Covid bubble with you, you will both be required to wear masks and encouraged to open the windows often. Click on this link to choose dates and times to pick up your supplies at our headquarters. You will immediately get a confirmation email with detailed instructions and a link to a brief training. You must download that app and watch the video before you pick up supplies!
Help Us Assemble Literature and Staff HQ
Assemble literature for distribution from the safety and convenience of your own home. Sign up here to pick up raw materials at Democratic Party headquarters to assemble at home, every Tuesday and Thursday mornings. After you sign up you will get an email with all the details.
HELP US AT HQ EVERY MORNING: Help prepare, dispense, and accept returning materials for no-contact pick up at headquarters daily, from 8:45 a.m.-11:45 a.m. Sign up for shifts here. Training is provided.
Want to Help Send Texts for Joe and Kamala?
Sign up here to text in English:
Sign up here to text in Spanish:
|
Haven’t Requested A
Vote By Mail Ballot Yet?
DO IT NOW!
|
When Early Voting begins on Oct. 19, the Supervisor of Elections Office will be setting up four curbside Vote-By-Mail ballot drop-off sites in Collier County to make it easier for people to return their Vote-By-Mail ballots.
Of course, you can drop off your Vote-By-Mail ballots at any Early Voting polling location, but at these four spots you need won't to walk inside.
There will be a tent and two election workers at each site. It's another option on how to vote. Here are the locations:
|
Help Us Win In 2020
With Your Donation
The Collier County Democratic Party is an all volunteer organization.
And, as you can see from this newsletter, we're working hard to win in this year's election.
But even though our volunteers are unpaid, we still have costs. This year we are printing thousands of mailers, signs, buttons, and literature. We're buying advertising on radio and social media. And we have a headquarters building to operate.
It all adds up, and we rely on sustaining donations from Democrats to make it happen.
Won't you help?
|
Hey, Democrats, Let’s Get Social
The Social Committee of the Collier County Democratic Club organizes monthly virtual get-togethers where like-minded people can gather online and, hopefully someday soon, in person once again. Contact Dawn Rubin to get your name added to the mailing list at CCDC.Socials@gmail.com
|
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.
|
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.
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
