Polk County Democratic Party Weekly Digest: Nov 8-14, 2021
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Call to Action: Volunteer to register voters!
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With one year until the 2022 elections, ensuring eligible voters are registered is a goal of the Polk County DEC. Our Voter Registration Committee, with support of local Democratic clubs and caucuses, are providing plenty of opportunities for volunteers to help with the voter registration push. We recognize one such volunteer: Lake Wales Democratic Club member Jonathan Swann, pictured here at the recent Lake Wales Pioneers Day. "I wanted to register voters during a local community event because every newly registered voter counts to help us turn Florida blue," he said.
Have you put your hand up to help at a local event and turn Florida blue?
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Volunteers wanted at weekly Lakeland Downtown Farmers Market
Whether you can attend 1-2 hours or more, and weekly or once a month, please sign up to help the Polk County Democratic Party during this popular Lakeland event, held every Saturday. Click here.
This is a big market, with lots of members of our target groups, including young people and new residents.
You can work a 1-2 hour shift any time during market hours (9 am - 2 pm). We are not allowed to set up a table, so you will be standing on a corner with your clipboard.
Full training and all materials provided.
Please note that bilingual volunteers are needed.
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The Steering Committee met on November 1, 2021. There are people working very hard to help turn Polk County Blue.
- Several fundraisers have taken place recently, increasing the resources of the Polk DEC; future events are under discussion. All Democrats are encouraged to become monthly donors by accessing the Website https://www.polkdemocrats.org/ and selecting the “Donate” button.
- Voter Registration is ongoing in Polk County, both for English speakers and for Spanish speakers.
- The office committee is processing volunteers, organizing voter registration drives through phone banking, texting, and canvassing (being rolled out over the next couple of months).
- Precinct Committeepersons are being supplied with spreadsheets of their constituents who are new to the precinct and those who are celebrating birthdays; PCs use these lists to reach out to DEMS and encourage Vote by Mail.
- Trainings are being offered on a variety of topics including voter registration (in both English and Spanish), and the use of Votebuilder.
In order to make a difference in Polk County, we need volunteers and leaders. All events are listed on Mobilize. The Weekly Digest contains up to date information and opportunities, the Polk Democrats website has links for volunteering, donating, online store (to be “open” soon), trainings. Whether you have a lot of time or limited time to offer, your involvement will make a difference!!
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Polk Precinct Captains learn about new tools
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Some captains from the 100s precincts recently met to discuss the new VAT (Voter Analysis Tool) and other strategies they will implement to better reach Polk County Democrats.
Polk County has 167 voter precincts and each one is critical to Democrats winning elections. Polk County DEC welcomes anyone interested in being a captain/co-captain, or block captain.
If you are a precinct captain and need some help understanding this new tool, or have any questions about your role, contact Membership and Precinct Organizing Committee chair Becky WynKoop via PolkCountyDemocrats@gmail.com
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Florida Redistricting: Lawmakers continue to study how close to the line they can go
The Florida Constitution prohibits the GOP-dominated Legislature from redistricting to intentionally keep Republicans in power. But what if it happens by mistake?
Much of a Tuesday meeting of the House Redistricting Committee centered around the question of what, exactly, constitutes partisan mapmaking. For a closer look at the thought processes of lawmakers, read here.
The Florida Democratic Party will be hosting a virtual information session: BOUNDARIES MATTER: HOW REDISTRICTING IMPACTS OUR VOTE! on Wednesday, Nov. 10, from 6 pm.
- To learn how to make your voice heard on the processes, visit All on the Line - Florida.
- The Florida Government also has provided a website - www.floridaredistricting.gov - to allow the public access to provide suggestions and upload their own mapping ideas. To find out how the website works, click here.
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Training:
Ruth's List of Florida seeks potential candidates
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Ruth's List of Florida has launched their candidate training program, and are seeking potential candidates. The next virtual training workshop is Communications on Wednesday, Nov 10, from 6 to 8 PM. To register, sign up here.
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Florida's Health Care Crisis
Build Back Better Act Provides Some Aid - DeSantis Administration Fails to Deliver
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Nearly half a million Floridians who currently earn income below the poverty level, but still do not qualify for Medicaid in our state, would be eligible for coverage through Affordable Care Act premium tax credits, if the Biden Administration's Build Back Better Act is passed.
Our friends at Florida Voices for Health remind us this measure has been a long, hard fight for Floridians and are asking us to urge Congress to Close the Health Care Cover Gap.
The urgency for such a measure is compounded by news that Florida is projected to lose out on $88 million in Medicaid payments alone. This shortfall is based on a suspected shortfall of about 1% of Floridians in the 2020 US Census. This undercount appears due to a lack of good governance by the DeSantis Administration, because it failed to meet the challenges of conducting an accurate count of residents amid a pandemic. The result could mean a loss of billions in federally funded allocations aimed at helping everyday citizens, based on the loss of an undercount in 2010.
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Mark Your Calendar
The Florida Institute for Health Innovation is hosting a virtual Piney Point Roundtable Meeting from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on November 17. This workshop is for academics, journalists, and activists to discuss Piney Point, phosphogypsum, and potential hazard interventions.
Registration is required. For further information, email Dr. Keren Bolter at keren.bolter@arcadis.com
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Important Dates and Meetings
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Steering Committee & Regular DEC Meetings
The next Regular DEC Meeting will be held from 6.30 pm on Monday, November 8. Register here.
(Regular DEC meetings are on 2nd Monday of the month)
The next DEC Steering Committee meeting will be held on Monday, December 6.
Caucuses and Clubs
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Upcoming Polk County DEC Mobilize Events
Keep us up to date: If you would like to feature what your club or caucus is doing or introduce a new president, other office holder or person of interest, please send information to polkdemwd@gmail.com
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Democratic Party of Polk County, Club & Caucus Links
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Mailing Address:
Due to the pandemic the Democratic Party of Polk County has closed the office in Lakeland.
The mailing address is the following:
The Democratic Party of Polk County, 6039 Cypress Gardens Boulevard, Suite 328, Winter Haven, FL 33884
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