Polk County Democratic Party Weekly Digest: Sept 27 - Oct 3, 2021
|
|
Call to Action
First Friday Volunteers Needed
The Polk County Democratic Party supports the Lakeland Democratic Club's regular First Friday market site in downtown Lakeland. New and additional volunteers are needed to help rotate those manning the site and assist with voter registration and party membership inquiries.
Please consider spending an hour or two volunteering, to support local Democrats and this popular Lakeland event.
Click here to register to volunteer for this week's First Friday Cookie Carnival-themed event, which runs from 6-9 pm on Oct 1.
|
|
|
As the Supreme Court prepares to reconvene on Monday, October 4, it is imperative we make our voices heard regarding reproductive rights. People in Texas are facing near complete bans on abortion and vigilante justice - and the Supreme Court allowed it. A similar bill has been raised in Florida.
We will be partnering with all 4 corners - Polk-Lake-Osceola-Orange - for a local sign waving event, in support of and the national women's march across all states. We need to hear from all women's voices in the I-4 corridor during this National Call to Mobilize and Defend Our Reproductive Rights.
If you are attending the Orlando march, please stop by to join our sign waving.
Sign up to receive info needed to attend our event, which will run from 10 am - noon, on Saturday, October 2, at Cagan Crossings Community Library (Limited Services), 16729 Cagan Oaks, Clermont.
|
|
Starting this Saturday, October 2, the Polk County Democratic Party will be attending the weekly farmers markets at Lakeland and Winter Haven to register voters. The party is seeking volunteers to help during these weekly morning events. Whether you can attend 1-2 hours or more, and weekly or once a month, please sign up on the respective Mobilize events: For the Lakeland event, click here; for the Winter Haven event, click here.
Please note that bilingual volunteers are needed.
|
|
|
Meet the Lakeland City Commission Candidates
The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce will host the 2021 Political Hob Nob for candidates running for Lakeland City Commission and the Mayoral Seat on Wednesday, September 29, from 5:30-7:30 pm, at Yard on Mass.
The event is free, but registration is requested.
|
|
The 2021 Municipal Elections are fast approaching, with voters going to the polls on November 2.
City residents who are not registered to vote have until October 4th to submit their completed voter registration form to the Polk County Elections office. To register Click here.
Meanwhile, while the municipal elections are nonpartisan, the Polk County DEC is encouraging Democrats to support the following candidates at the polls, where possible, and to volunteer or donate to further their campaigns.
For the Lakeland City Commission:
|
|
|
For the Fort Meade City Commission: For the Winter Haven City Commission:
|
|
Monitor the Florida Redistricting Process
Florida Senate Redistricting Committee Chair Ray Rodrigues (R) last week opened the first meeting of the state government's efforts to redraw political boundaries, with a promise that lawmakers have learned from past failures and will ensure the maps withstand court scruitiny.
As per the Florida Phoenix, "Redistricting committees in the Senate and in the House will take the lead on negotiating new voting-district boundaries for Florida’s congressional and legislative seats, including a new congressional district resulting from dramatic population growth in central Florida".
Three introductory meetings were held last week.
Rules for public participation in the process are still being developed. However, the House and the Senate will use mapping software that will enable the public to propose electoral boundaries for lawmakers’ consideration. The website for information will be at www.floridaredistricting.gov.
|
|
The ACLU of Florida will host a live FaceBook and YouTube event from 6.30-7.30 pm on Wednesday, September 29, to help interested Floridians understand how they can take part in the redistricting process.
Click here for the FaceBook link to "Keeping Fair Districts: Protecting Voting Rights During the Redistricting Process"
|
|
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
|
|
|
REMINDER - Legislative Delegation Meeting
Organizers of the annual Legislative Delegation Meeting in Polk County are now taking names of people interested in speaking during the event October 26.
The annual public meeting 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.
If you would like to be placed on the printed agenda, contact the office of the Chair Designate of the Polk County Legislative Delegation, Rep. Colleen Burton, by sending a request to hedy.weddington@myfloridahouse.gov
You will be sent a speaker’s request form with instructions, which must be turned in by 5 p.m. Oct. 12, to be placed on the printed agenda. You may also complete a speaker’s form on the day of the meeting and you will be afforded time to speak in the order in which it was received up until 6 p.m.
The Polk County Legislative Delegation is meeting from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 26, at the Polk State College Center for Public Safety, 1251 Jim Keene Blvd., Winter Haven.
Please note, if you would like to provide handouts to the delegation, and do not send information ahead of time, please bring 10 copies to the meeting for distribution.
For more information, contact Hedy Weddington at hedy.weddington@myfloridahouse.gov or 863-413-2640.
|
|
|
Important Dates and Meetings
|
|
Steering Committee & Regular DEC Meetings
The next DEC Steering Committee meeting will be held on Monday, October 4.
The next Regular DEC Meeting will be held from 6.30 pm on Monday, October 11. Click here to register.
(Regular DEC meetings are on 2nd Monday of the month)
Caucus and Club Meetings
Democratic Women's Club of Lakeland - Monday, Sept. 27, at 6.30 p.m.
Greater Winter Haven Democratic Club - Tuesday, Sept. 28, at 7 p.m.
Guest Speaker: Olivia Thompson, founder of The Blueprint, which helps grassroots Democratic groups build infrastructure for organizing. |
|
|
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
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
