06. February 2023 · Comments Off on Yakima County Signs October 2022 · Categories: Committee News, Elections, Recent Events

Greetings Democrats,

Here’s what’s going on this weekend!

“Signs, signs, everywhere there’s signs …” Let’s make a day out of it and prove that there really is a lively and diverse group of card-carrying democrats in Yakima and the surrounding areas!

Please join us to meet like minded people, take a walk around downtown and maybe post up to wave at a street corner or two.  Once we are done, we can disperse to a wide range of businesses for hydration and sustenance. 

Date: Saturday, October 22, 2022 
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 
Location: Performance Park – Northwest corner of 
North 2nd Street and Sgt. Pendleton Way in Yakima 

Bring a sign that radiates your passion, expresses your anger, embodies your hope or advertises your candidate in the upcoming election. 

=====

Our next joint monthly meeting of the Yakima County Democrats and the 14th LD Democrats will be held on Monday, October 24th at 6pm, in person at our office at 402 S. 3rd Street, and also via Zoom.

We look forward to seeing you!

Naomi Whitmore
Chair, Yakima County Democrats
Aileen Kane
Chair, 14th LD Democrats

Our mailing address is:
Yakima County Democrats
402 S 3rd St
Yakima, WA 98901-2834

Add us to your address book

14. January 2023 · Comments Off on Yakima County 2023 Reorganization · Categories: Committee News, Recent Events

Greetings Democrats,

Happy New Year! I hope that you and your loved ones had a bright and happy holiday season!

This Saturday is our biennual Reorganization meeting, where we elect officers for the next 2 years. Yakima County will meet at 1:00pm and the 14th LD will meet at 2:30pm. The meetings will be held via Zoom to ensure greater accessibility across our geographically large districts.

All are welcome to attend, but only Precinct Committee Officers elected in 2022 will be able to vote at the meeting.

If you would like to receive the Rules and Agenda and the Zoom link for the meeting, please fill out the following form to register for the meeting:

https://forms.gle/tovNNV7kHDqNAdZSA

(The Zoom link will also be sent out to this list prior to the meeting – you do not have to register to attend.)

The most important thing to note about the rules is that nominations are required in advance. This means we will not be accepting nominations from the floor during the meeting. If you wish to nominate yourself for an elected position – Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, or State Committee Member (2 positions), please send a declaration of your candidacy to Yakima County Chair Naomi Whitmore (naomijwhitmore@gmail.com) by January 5th

Declared candidates for Yakima County are:

  • Lindsey Keesling for Chair
  • AJ Cooper for State Committee Member Pos. 1
  • Doug White for State Committee Member Pos. 2
  • Naomi Whitmore for Treasurer (this office is appointed)

Declared candidates for the 14th LD are:

  • Naomi Whitmore for Chair
  • Betsy Shedd for Vice Chair 
  • Patricia Whitefoot for State Committee Member Pos. 1
  • Naomi Whitmore for Treasurer

Throughout the year, there will also be plenty of opportunities to work on Committees either at the local or state level to accomplish specific goals. There will also be local elections to work on, including City Council and School Board races.

What do you think the Democrats should be doing? Join us and help make it happen in 2023! 

Upcoming Events

January 9 – First day of Legislative Session
 
January 22 – Women’s March
 
January 27 will be our return to Lobby Days, hosted by the WSDCC Advocacy Committee. More information to come on this exciting event!
 
January 28 – State Party Reorganization, Olympia

The Yakima County Democrats and the 14th LD Democrats are 100% volunteer (no paid staff), and entirely funded by donations. We need your support more than ever to keep our office open and to expand our outreach and programs in 2023. We have exciting plans and we can’t wait to get to work on them!

Thank you to all our supporters who make our work possible!

Donate here

We look forward to seeing you soon,

Naomi Whitmore
Chair, Yakima County Democrats
Aileen Kane
Chair, 14th LD Democrats

Our mailing address is:
Yakima County Democrats
402 S 3rd St
Yakima, WA 98901-2834

Add us to your address book

04. November 2022 · Comments Off on LWV Voter Newsletter 11-2022 · Categories: Announcements, Committee News
Democracy in Action Across Washington State | News from the League of Women Voters of WA

To Do List

  • Make sure to check the status of your ballot at VoteWA.gov. If it’s been rejected or challenged, make sure to cure your ballot by the deadline (11/29) so that it counts!
  • Follow us on social media! You can find us on FacebookInstagram, and Twitter.
  • This country has waited too long for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to become a part of the Constitution. Over 100 years after (some) women gained the right to vote, women and nonbinary people are still not guaranteed equality under the law. Tell your Senators to Support the Equal Rights Amendment.

Upcoming Events

12.10 SAT | Action Workshop
Learn about what's expected in the upcoming legislative session on the League's key issues from our lobbyist, legislators, and Advocacy Team. Learn more.
        
1.7 SAT | Speak Up School
LWVWA is supporting local Leagues and ally organizations to host workshops called Speak Up Schools. This upcoming Speak Up School people will learn how to give effective testimony. Save the date—more info to come!

Around the League

What are League Members Up To?

The midterm election may be over and the legislative session still weeks away, but the League of Women Voters of Washington is as busy as ever. So, what are League members up to? Here is a short list—we’d love to have you join us!


Voter Services: Midterm Wrap-Up

The League actively worked to empower voters and defend democracy this election season, with both the state and local Leagues holding election forums and debates so voters could hear from the candidates themselves.


Celebrating Karen Verrill’s Commitment to Civic Education 

At the 2021 Convention, the League of Women Voters of Washington awarded Karen Verrill the Evergreen Award for her tireless commitment to civic education. 


Coalition Updates

Fix Democracy First Speaks Out on Corporate Money in Washington’s Elections

The LWVWA’s coalition partner Fix Democracy First spoke with the Spokesman Review about the money four of WA’s largest public companies contribute to elections and the impact those contributions have on our state’s politics.

Join Your Local League
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Any person 16 and older may become a voting member of the League
Support the League
We're able to continue our mission of empowering voters and defending democracy because of support from folks like you. Show your support by donating to the League of Women Voters of Washington right now!
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

The League of Women Voters of Washington
1511 Third Ave, Suite 900
Seattle, WA 98101
United States
27. October 2022 · Comments Off on Ag and Rural Caucus Call to Meeting, October 2022 · Categories: Announcements, Committee News, Recent Events
ECC - ARC Joint Meeting on Solar Siting 
Thursday 18:30 27 October
[Use Register link]
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYrceGhqzgrGNDnE8TTiug6T6LJG0QwHYAi

ARC joins ECC program on energy siting

We know ARC, Ag and Rural Caucus. Well, our sister organization is ECC, Environment and Climate Caucus. Steve Verhey, a long-standing ARC friend  and chair of ECC, has invited us to join ECC’s meeting on solar siting.

Steve and I have long lamented the overlap of our respective meetings. This meeting is an exception. It meets 1830 (6:30 pm) on Thursday the 27th of October.

Mike Ritter of WDFW will talk about solar project siting in Washington, with a look at the longer-term ecological effects.

ECC members are fellow Democrats with a little different take on some of our core issues but they always bring expertise to the table. It is important that we communicate and learn. This is an opportunity to learn more about an issue that is important to us, and to share our perspective.

Use the link to register and add the event to your calendar

Don.


ARC Quarterly Meeting
Thursday 18:30 20 October

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83283292572?pwd=N2RiUVRFdHZ4SkdrT0RybEZLN2NWQT09

ARC’s quarterly meeting is Thursday 20 October at 6:30 pm. The agenda is a round table on local and congressional elections. Please invite your candidates if available.
 
It is easy to lose track of the issues we address. We take snapshots of issues around the state and then move on, for example, from flood control and habitat recovery on the Chehalis to childhood stress and social policy.

Rural problems do not go away just because we have moved on. This month I include links to selected articles about issues we have visited, just to give you a sense of continuity.
 
Two items have added to the discussion about the Lower Snake River Dams. The Murray – Inslee report adopted our ex ante mitigation advocacy, while NOAA explicitly does not address trade-offs. 

Murray – Inslee report:
NOAA: NPR;  document
Another legacy issue is regulation of the dairy industry in the Lower Yakima basin. The state does not require CAFO permits until after a problem has arisen. Ecology has proposed closer regulation of small operations, under 200 head of cattle.
 
Washington farms fret over Ecology’s promises over CAFO permits
Black Rock on Highway 24 in Yakima County is the site of multiple applications for solar development.
 
EFESEC extends deadline for Yakima County solar projects
Floodplain Integrated Planning in the Nooksack basin is a point of optimism, but does it complement or challenge water right adjudication?
 
What the Nooksack River’s climate tailspin mean for people and fish.

Copyright © 2022 Ag and Rural Caucus, All rights reserved.
Ag and Rural Caucus of State Democratic Central Committee
Our mailing address is:
Ag and Rural Caucus
2921 Mud Creek Rd
Waitsburg, WA 99361

Add us to your address book

27. October 2022 · Comments Off on Benton County Call-to-Meeting October 2022 · Categories: Announcements, Committee News, Recent Events

Benton County Democratic Central Committee

General Meeting

October 27

IN-PERSON AND ON ZOOM

Round Table Pizza, G Washington Way, Richland

Social Hour 6:30p

Meeting begins at 7:00P



Note that there will be discussions about the documents linked above. Please review them in advance of the meeting, if possible.

When joining the meeting, please type your name and your role in the chat. If you are a PCO, please type your precinct number by your name. If you are an officer or committee chair, please include that information. If none of those apply to you, please type guest, and we’re glad you’re joining us!


Benton County Democratic Central Committee

October 27, 2022

In-Person and on Zoom

Round Table Pizza, G Washington Way, Richland

Social Hour 6:30p

Meeting begins at 7:00P

Notified Meeting for the Purpose of By-Laws and Rules Changes

Call to Order

Call to Order

Pledge of Allegiance

Adopt Agenda

Approval of Minutes

Secretary’s Report

Treasurer’s Report & Communications (Durga)

Chair’s Report

  • Ballots will be dropped before the monthly meeting.
  • Election. Election. Election. Phone banking, texting, door knocking.
  • Connect with Dems in your precinct.
  • GOTV (Get Out The Vote).

1st VC Report (Regina)

2nd VC Report (John)

Organizing Committee (Allison)

Elections Committee (Justin)

State Committee Member 1 (Regina)

State Committee Member 2 (Sabastian)

Resolutions (Kitty)

  • Agrivoltaics Resolution

Labor (Open)

Events & Tri-City Dems (Carl)

8th LD (Chris)

16th LD (Everett)

15th LD

Unfinished Business

New Business

  • By-laws and Rules Changes to Comply with Dropping of the Covid Emergency
  • Agrivoltaics Resolution

Good of the Order

Adjourn

20. October 2022 · Comments Off on Franklin County Call-to-Meeting October 2022 · Categories: Committee News, Recent Events

Call to Meeting Oct. 20

October General Business Meeting Details
5:30 social hour w/guests, 6 p.m. start
Thursday, October 20
Downtown Pasco library
1320 W Hopkins St.
September minutes available here.

Fellow Democrats,

First, a quick note: We have two $25 gift cards to Schreiber Farms as door prizes this month! You can only win them by coming to the meeting, though!

This month’s meeting features our ongoing series, “Why I am a Democrat.” This is where anyone can speak to the body about why they consider themselves a Democrat. It’s an excellent way to learn about your fellow members and pump yourself up for GOTV efforts we have running until Election Day.

Those efforts including the following canvassing opportunities for Democrats:

  • Sunday, Oct. 23
  • Wednesday, Oct. 26
  • Sunday, Oct. 30
  • Wednesday, Nov. 2
  • Saturday, Nov. 5

We’ll also be talking about our new ActBlue donation account, more GOTV efforts, reorganization (including a potential special meeting in December) and our strategic plan.

This is a potluck meeting, so feel free to bring whatever dish you wish to share.

Also note our final scheduled meeting for the year, excluding the reorg, is Thursday, Nov. 17.

We’ll see you there!

— Your FCDCC Executive Board

Our mailing address is:
P.O. Box 2621 Pasco WA 99302
15. October 2022 · Comments Off on Franklin County 15th LD Canvassing · Categories: Committee News, Elections, Recent Events

Keep pushing to Election Day

15th LD Canvass, Pasco

10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15
Peanuts Park, Pasco

Sign up here!

Fellow Democrats,

Four weekends remain before the general election. Election Day is November 8.

We want to make you aware of a volunteer opportunity for a candidate endorsed by the Franklin County Democrats: Lindsey Keesling.

Keep watching your inbox for more opportunities to make a difference this election season!

Canvassing (door belling) for Doug White

Canvassing (door belling)

Lindsey Keesling is running for the state Senate in the 15th Legislative District against Republican Nikki Torres. Central and east Pasco, and northwest Franklin County, are in the district.

Franklin County Democrats are organizing a canvass for Keesling starting 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15. The meeting location has been changed to Peanuts Park (109 S. 4th Ave, Pasco). Please meet on the north side of the park near the restrooms.  

If you are interested in joining us on the 15th, please email frankcodemocrats@gmail.com. You can also email us to let us know if you are interested in canvassing for Lindsey but cannot join us Oct. 15.

Textbanking

The Keesling campaign is texting voters to encourage them to vote for Lindsey in the upcoming general election.

Lindsey’s campaign uses a browser-based program that does not require a personal phone. It is safe and user friendly.

The textbanking sessions occur every week up to November 8. Please email candidate@lindseyforthefiftheenth.com to sign up to text bank for the campaign.

You can also support Lindsey’s campaign by going to her website to sign-up or donate: https://lindseyforthefifteenth.com.

— Ana Ruiz Kennedy, chair

Our mailing address is:
P.O. Box 2621 Pasco WA 99302
02. October 2022 · Comments Off on Franklin County Pasco Canvassing · Categories: Committee News, Elections, Recent Events

Walk the walk, phone and text

Day of Action Canvass, Pasco10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 2
Fruitland Park, Kennewick
Sign up here!

Fellow Democrats,

We are approaching the final six weekends of this general election. Election Day is November 8.

We want to make you aware of several volunteer opportunities for two candidates endorsed by the Franklin County Democrats: Doug White and Lindsey Keesling.

Doug White is running for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 4th Congressional District against Republican Dan Newhouse. All of Pasco is in the 4th Congressional District.

Canvassing (door belling) for Doug White

There is a “Weekend of Action” scheduled to help Doug White starting 10 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 2 at Fruitland Park in Kennewick.Doug White and other featured guests will first speak, then volunteers will be prepared to go door knocking for Doug soon thereafter.If you are interested in this volunteer opportunity, please see this informational page and sign-up sheet.Franklin County Democratic Party Chair Ana Ruiz Kennedy is also organizing small group canvassing sessions for Doug throughout the week and weekend. Please email me at anaruiz990206@gmail.com if you are interested in volunteering to doorbell based on your personal schedule.You can also support Doug’s campaign by going to his website, sign-up and/or donate: https://www.dougwhite4congress.us.

Canvassing (door belling) for Lindsey Keesling

Lindsey Keesling is running for the state Senate in the 15th Legislative District against Republican Nikki Torres. Central and east Pasco, and northwest Franklin County, is in the district.Franklin County Democrats are organizing a canvass for Keesling starting 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15, atthe Collegium Café (3425 E. A Street). We’ll canvass East Pasco neighborhoods.If you are interested in joining us on the 15th, please email frankcodemocrats@gmail.com by Sunday, Oct. 9. You can also email us to let us know if you are interested in canvassing for Lindsey but cannot join us Oct. 15.

Phone and textbanking for Doug White

Doug White’s campaign also is offering phone and text banking opportunities for volunteers. Please email Volunteer Coordinator Galen Greenwalt at galen@dougwhite4congress.us for more information about calling or texting voters for Doug.

Textbanking for Lindsey Keesling

The Keesling campaign is texting voters to encourage them to vote for Lindsey in the upcoming general election.Lindsey’s campaign uses a browser-based program that does not require a personal phone. It is safe and user friendly.The next textbanking session is scheduled for this Friday, Sept. 30. Please email candidate@lindseyforthefiftheenth.com to sign up to text bank for the campaign.You can also support Lindsey’s campaign by going to her website to sign-up or donate: https://lindseyforthefifteenth.com.

Minutes from September’s meeting

Teresa Purcell from the DNC gave a wonderful presentation to Franklin County’s Democrats about rural organizing. You can read more about it and the rest of our September meeting in the minutes.

Please let us know if you have any questions!

Ana Ruiz Kennedy, Chair

Our mailing address is:
P.O. Box 2621 Pasco WA 99302
23. September 2022 · Comments Off on Doug White Insider 9-23-2022 · Categories: Committee News, Elections

INSIDER

SEPTEMBER 23, 2022


Campaign Kickoff

The Tri Cities Chamber of Commerce recently held a lunch for Newhouse; I got no time. They scheduled a candidate forum, but canceled it. They’re holding an “elected” leader’s reception and I am shut out again. 

Tri Dec, as I understand, has actively helped organize rallies for Newhouse and sent emails that support him. 

PNNL – which I have the highest level of respect for, has complaints shared with my campaign of officials using their staff contact lists to distribute pro Newhouse messages that seem too political to be acceptable communications. 

We expect the Tri Cities Chamber, Tri Dec and PNNL to always operate in the best interest of the community. It then becomes important to ask, why are they going to such lengths to promote a single candidate? 

What makes it more difficult to understand is that Newhouse’s record shows that he has done little for the Tri Cities. He votes against unions, he has abused workers’ trust at Hanford on issues of Covid, he has written legislation to slow our move to carbon free energy and the money that comes in to fund Hanford Cleanup and PNNL comes from the work of our Senators. 

This is an injustice to the people of the Tri Cities. This is how the right to vote for the best candidate is systematically taken away from us. Big money, cronyism and abuse of authority. Do not stand for it! 

As I mentioned in the previous newsletter, I had the opportunity to chat with the people in Omak via the KOMW Okanogan Talk Radio!
If you missed it live, you can listen to it on Youtube to know more about my vision for the District and goal I will accomplish for different areas once I get elected.
It was another busy week! It was a great honor to be able to present a scholarship check on behalf of the Democrats of Douglas and Chelan counties to Fiestas Mexicanas! Two deserving, recipients will share the prize.
In other news, our campaign for the midterm election officially kicked off on the 16th in Methow Valley and on the 20th in Tri-Cities. I am so grateful for anyone who came and continues to support our journey to victory. Grassroots efforts are how we make changes and restore true Democracy that has been backsliding due to damages caused by Republican congressional members, including Dan Newhouse himself. How can we improve the community as a whole if our incumbent district representative has voted against expanding veteran benefits, against multiple health care Acts, and against infrastructure development and working labor benefits? District 4th deserves to have the right leader with full transparency and represent our voices above party in Congress to bring enough of our tax dollars to defend this country and invest in ourselves. We need someone with the right set of priorities. I believe I have the right mindset and skills to deliver.
I am ready to make a change. I hope I have your vote.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

We are Phone Banking every Tuesday and Thursday from now till the election. Canvassers are needed, please contact us to sign up in your county or area. We will provide all you need. Text banking is coming soon! Please check out the events page for Get Out the Vote event near you!


Our upcoming campaign events in Kennewick, Methow Valley, and Yakima are the perfect opportunity to meet Doug and hear his vision for our district directly from him.

  • Oct. 1: Weekend of Action Day 110:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Yakima County Democrats Office, 402 S 3rd St, Yakima)
  •  Oct 02: Weekend of Action Day 2 – 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Fruitland Park, Kennewick, 407 N Fruitland St, Kennewick, WA)

Can’t make it to an event? Please consider contributing to Doug’s campaign as we enter the final weeks of the election!

See you on the campaign trail,
Team Doug

We need volunteers! Phone banking, Texting, Canvassing, Letter writing and so much more. Join us now for Blue in ’22.

*

¡¡Necesitamos voluntarios! Llamadas telefónicas, mensajes de texto, campañas de publicidad, escribir cartas y mucho más. Únase a nosotros ahora para la democracia en ’22.


22. September 2022 · Comments Off on Benton County Call-to-Meeting September 2022 · Categories: Committee News, Recent Events

Benton County Democratic Central Committee

General Meeting

September 22

IN-PERSON INDOORS AND ON ZOOM

5:00p for potluck dinner Meeting starts at 5:30P

3303 S. Hartford St., Kennewick

Home of Cherissa Boyd and Richard Reuther



Update: Weather will require the in-person meeting to be indoors. Please be prepared to wear a mask.

Note that there will be discussions about the documents linked above. Please review them in advance of the meeting, if possible.

When joining the meeting, please type your name and your role in the chat. If you are a PCO, please type your precinct number by your name. If you are an officer or committee chair, please include that information. If none of those apply to you, please type guest, and we’re glad you’re joining us!


Benton County Democratic Central Committee

September 22, 2022

Hybrid Meeting

Meeting begins at 5:30 PM

Flag Salute

Call to Order

Adopt Agenda

Approval of Minutes

Secretary’s Report (Position open)

Treasurer’s Report & Communications (Durga)

Chair’s Report (Richard)

  • Campaign volunteers

1st VC Report (Regina)

2nd VC Report (John)

Organizing Committee (Allison)

Elections Committee (Justin)

  • Draft proposal on Election Committee function
  • Discussion

State Committee Member 1 (Regina)

State Committee Member 2 (Sabastian)

Resolutions (Kitty)

Labor (Open)

Events & Tri-City Dems (Carl)

8th LD (Chris)

16th LD

15th LD

Unfinished Business

New Business

  • Ramping up activities for the November election

Good of the Order

Adjourn