Polk County Democratic Party Weekly Digest: Jan 31 - Feb 6, 2022

It appears a number of Republican-backed bills are being fast-tracked through the 2022 Florida Legislative Session, at a rate faster than would be timely to report in our Weekly Digest. So, please monitor your favorite sources of daily legislative updates to act quickly to make your voices heard. To monitor the bills, click here.

A timely item that requires an Action Alert is opposition to SB 146 (Stargel) Fetal and Infant Mortality Reduction—the Republican abortion ban. This will be heard in its first Senate committee on Wednesday. It is the companion bill to HB 5 that is moving quickly through the House.

Republican leadership wants Gov. DeSantis to sign this legislation within the next few weeks. Raise your voices and make it uncomfortable for them. Let them know you represent a majority of Floridians who do not want extreme restrictions placed on private reproductive healthcare decisions. Ask the following Senate Health Policy members below to VOTE NO on SB 146.

Redistricting update: Likely Florida House map to pit 19 incumbents against House colleague

Women's club installs new board

Democratic Women's Club (DWC) of Florida Region IX chairperson Margaret Suttles on January 24th installed the new DWC of Lakeland board, as pictured, Immediate Past President Xuchitl Coso, Treasurer Michelle Bradley, Secretary Cindy Layner, 2nd VP Veysel Dokur and President Michelle Emerson-Lewis.

Support First Friday Democrats

Starting in February, there will be two Democratic-run sites at Lakeland's monthly First Friday events. To be held from 6-9 pm on February 4, around Munn Park, this month's event theme will be Mardi Gras.

After a hiatus due to COVID concerns, the Democratic Women's Club of Lakeland site will return to First Friday. This is in addition to the site the Lakeland Democratic Club, with support from the Polk County Democratic Party, has held since First Friday events resumed.

Please stop by and say hello to the dedicated volunteers, who meet and greet interested visitors and encourages them to join the Democratic Party. Volunteers are always needed to help share the load. So, if you have one or two hours you can spare during the year - just one time in 2022 - please contact Veysel Dokur at vcpolkdec@gmail.com to sign up!

Mulberry City Council Candidate Qualifying Period Nears

The qualifying period for candidates who intend to run in the upcoming Mulberry City Council runs from February 7-22.

The Mulberry City Council general election will be held April 5, 2022. The Polk County DEC encourages Mulberry residents eligible to run for Seats #2 and #4, or Mayor-at-Large, to seriously consider becoming a candidate to help turn Polk Blue in '22, at all levels of government.

For further details and materials needed to file for candidacy, visit the City of Mulberry website.

Residents eligible to vote for the Mulberry election, and not yet registered, can do so by March 7, on line via the Florida Online Voter Registration System. Voters can also request to vote by mail via the Polk County Supervisor of Elections website, where you can also make any changes to your name or address.

Call to Action: Voter Registration

Weekly Lakeland Curb Market
Can you spare 1-2 hours or more between the hours of 9 am - 2 pm on a Saturday, each week or once a month? If so, please sign up! We are not allowed to set up a table, so you will be standing on a corner with your clipboard.
Please note that bilingual (especially Spanish/English) volunteers are needed for all voter registration events!

Become a Volunteer Donate Become a Member

Important Dates and Meetings

Steering Committee & Regular DEC Meetings

The next DEC Steering Committee meeting will be held on Monday, February 7.

The next Regular DEC Meeting will be held from 6.30 pm on Monday, February 21 - please note the change from the regular meeting day. Click here to register for the Zoom meeting.

Clubs and Caucuses

Lakeland Democratic Club - Thursday, February 3, at 7 pm

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

Democratic Party of Polk County, Club & Caucus Links

Name \ Website	Facebook
Democratic Party of Polk County	https://www.facebook.com/PolkCountyFLDemocrats
Democratic Hispanic Caucus of Polk Co	https://www.facebook.com/Polk-County-Chapter-Democratic-Hispanic-Caucus-of-Florida-340664722737576/
Democratic Women's Club of Lakeland	https://www.facebook.com/groups/DWCLakeland
Democratic Women's Club of E Polk Ridge
Greater Winter Haven Democratic Club	https://www.facebook.com/groups/102229486585792
Lake Ashton Democratic Club	https://www.facebook.com/groups/446482912365417
Lake Wales Area Democratic Club
Lakeland Democratic Club	https://www.facebook.com/groups/LakelandDemClub/
North East Polk Democratic Club	https://www.facebook.com/NEPolkDemClub/
Polk Co. Black Caucus Polk Co. Disability Caucus Polk Co. Environmental Caucus Polk Co. Jewish Caucus Polk Co. Progressive Democratic Caucus Polk Co. Young Democrats	https://www.facebook.com/PolkDemDisabilityCaucus/ https://www.facebook.com/Polk-Democratic-Environmental-Caucus-101289152221143/ https://www.facebook.com/PolkProgressives https://www.facebook.com/PolkYoungDems
Rainbow Ridge LGTBA Caucus	https://www.facebook.com/Polklgbta
Solivita Democratic Club	https://www.facebook.com/solivitademocraticclub

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

The telephone number remains the same: (863) 668-7199
Email: PolkCountyDemocrats@gmail.com
Weekly Digest Coordinator: Michelle Bradley
For submissions, email: PolkDemWD@gmail.com

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You are receiving this email because you are either affiliated with Polk Democrats or attended one of our events.
Telephone number: (863) 668-7199
Our new mailing address is:

Polk County Democrats

6039 Cypress Gardens Boulevard, Suite 328

Winter Haven, Florida 33884

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Thank You!
Polk DEC 913-1