Polk County Democratic Party Weekly Digest: Oct 18-24, 2021
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Important November 2 Municipal Elections Information
* Candidate Debate *
The Republican Club of Lakeland and the Libertarian Party of Polk County are hosting a Lakeland City Commission Debate event, scheduled on Friday, October 22nd, from 5:30-8 pm at the Cleveland Heights Golf Course. The Lakeland Democratic Club was invited to jointly host the event but was a little late to respond and, unfortunately, is not included. The debate will feature all six candidates. The event is free to attend and open to the public.
Local Democrats are encouraged to submit questions in advance, as per below, and attend the debate in order to show support for registered Democratic candidates, Shandale Terrell and Allyson "Al" Lewis.
The debate, which also will be live-streamed via Facebook will be moderated by Dr. R. Bruce Anderson, Associate Professor of Political Science at Florida Southern College. Questions will not be accepted from the audience on the day of the event. All questions must be submitted in advance by October 21 through email lklddebatequestions@gmail.com
More information can. be found through the Republican Club of Lakeland Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LakelandGOP
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Question the Candidates
Lkld Now also has organized two Facebook live forums for voters to hear from and ask questions of the candidates in the Lakeland Municipal Elections.
The live, virtual event for candidates in the mayoral race will be held from 6 pm Tuesday, October 19. Click here for more information and to register your interest in attending.
An event for all other Lakeland City Commission candidates will be held from 6 pm Wednesday, October 20. Click here for more.
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Vote By Mail
The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot for the upcoming municipal elections is Saturday, October 23.
Early walk-in voting will commence October 25. For more information, click here. |
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Call to Action: Voter Registration Opportunities
Meet/Register Voters - Pioneer Days, Lake Wales
Polk DEC and Lake Wales Area Democratic Club are teaming up to meet and greet and register voters at the 2-day Pioneer Days in Lake Wales, Saturday and Sunday (Oct 23-24).
This is a fun family festival with live music, food vendors and events throughout the day, on the shores of scenic Lake Wailes.
There will be a tent and tables set up for volunteers. All materials will be provided. Training is available via Zoom if you have never registered voters before, or need to learn the latest rules and procedures.
Register here and we will contact you to organize a shift between the festival hours of 9 am and 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
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Register voters at weekly Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb 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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Update: Florida Redistricting Process
Now that redistricting has officially kicked off in Florida, it's important that all Floridians have the opportunity to participate.
To assist with local participation, the Democratic Women's Club of Lakeland this month heard from a representative from All on the Line - Florida. Over the next couple of months, All on The Line - Florida will be hosting regular trainings to help residents prepare to make effective written and verbal public comments that will make an impact on the maps and influence the state committee members at every step of the redistricting process. These trainings will be key to ensuring you can most effectively communicate your perspectives and make your voice heard.
Upcoming, on-line trainings can be found here.
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 and get involed, click here.
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Training:
Ruth's List of Florida seeks potential candidates
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Ruth's List of Florida is launching their candidate training program this fall, and are seeking potential candidates.
Over the next few months, Ruth's List willl be running a series of virtual trainings for candidates and prospective candidates all over the state. The first in the series is a Finance Training on Tuesday, October 26th from 6 to 8 PM. This will be followed up with workshops on campaign communications, how to kick-off a campaign well, and a two-day bootcamp on the A to Zs of running for office. To register, sign up here.
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Reminder: Legislative Delegation Meeting
The annual Legislative Delegation Meeting in Polk County will be held on October 26. This is an opportunity for citizens, elected county and city officials and members of civic organizations to address the delegation before the 2022 state legislative session begins.
The Polk County Legislative Delegation will meet from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Polk State College Center for Public Safety, 1251 Jim Keene Blvd., Winter Haven.
There will be an opportunity for those attending to try to speak, if you are not already listed on the agenda. However, those not on the written agenda will be called in the order by which they complete a speaker's form on the day, and until the meeting concludes at 6 p.m.
For more information, contact Hedy Weddington at hedy.weddington@myfloridahouse.gov or 863-413-2640.
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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 DEC Steering Committee meeting will be held on Monday, November 1.
The next Regular DEC Meeting will be held from 6.30 pm on Monday, November 8. The ability to register will open here.
(Regular DEC meetings are on 2nd Monday of the month)
Caucus and Club Meetings
Rainbow Ridge LGBTA Democratic Caucus - Tuesday, October 19, at 6.30 pm
Guest speaker will be Scott Hottenstein, Teacher of the Year Finalist, Hillsborough County Public Schools, Civics Teacher, Coach, Mentor, and Community Activist President of the Democratic Public Education Caucus of Florida 2019.
Northeast Polk Democratic Club - Wednesday, October 20, at 7 pm
Guest speaker will be Joe Leach discussing the Pro Act and what it means to Floridians.
Polk County Progressive Democratic Caucus - Friday, October 22, at 7 pm |
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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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