Polk County Democratic Party Weekly Digest: November 6th - November 12th, 2023
ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7TH!
IF YOU LIVE IN AUBURNDALE, FORT MEADE, LAKELAND OR WINTER HAVEN (inside the city limits of each)- GET OUT AND VOTE AND ENCOURAGE YOUR NEIGHBORS TO DO THE SAME!!
POLLS ARE OPEN FROM 7am to 7pm.
All Vote By Mail requests expired after the 2022 General Election! Click here to request a VBM Ballot now.
Please check your registration as another 100k voters were purged from the Vote By Mail list!!!
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Know your candidates!
Winter Haven City Commission candidates Kim Davis and Johnothan Bush recently addressed the meeting of the Winter Haven Commission. They spoke on the concerns they have that the city is in support of Diversity and Inclusion, racial equality and LGBTQIA rights and other topics. If you are a voter in Winter Haven, please watch these videos and spread the word that NEITHER of these individuals should hold elected office and are dangerous to citizens in Winter Haven and a threat to good, representative government.
https://rumble.com/v3mi85y-kim-davis-at-the-city-council-meeting.html?fbclid=IwAR2ex1DmWymfz1Oab7qs_njRVZXEzlT_ZoRjDf5t4LJSjOXlDCM1T-u3ICU
https://rumble.com/v3miara-johnathon-bush-at-the-city-council-meeting.html?fbclid=IwAR0tdTAK1idePJtL4Mn5QkUiG6pZNzwKsV5twZM4F1XcEKz6AXiVBPi-2Yc
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CAST A BALLOT AND MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!!
Municipal elections are just around the corner in Auburndale, Fort Meade, Lakeland and Winter Haven. Who will be on the ballot? (Remember, these are non-partisan races, but we are including party affiliation for transparency). Social media/campaign links are included that are available. A few candidates have created campaign sites now that were not available last week.
The DEC will be texting voters to remind them to vote in the municipal elections and to also sign up for Vote by Mail ballots. If you would like to help with texting campaigns, please let Barbara Harris (vicechair1@polkdemocrats.net) or Kathy Sites (secpolkdec@gmail.com) know as soon as possible.
YOUR VOTE CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE! KNOW WHO IS SERVING YOUR COMMUNITY!
AUBURNDALE
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WHERE DO I VOTE ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7th, 2023?
(ONLY FOR THOSE IN THE CITY LIMITS OF AUBURNDALE, FORT MEADE, LAKELAND AND WINTER HAVEN)
FROM THE POLK SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS WEBSITE:
**Some voters will have a new polling location for this election ONLY**
- Lakeland City Residents vote at the following locations: (Sample Ballot)
Precincts 111, 117 and 125 vote at: (Click here for map)
Believers' Fellowship Church, 5240 N Socrum Loop Rd
Precinct 112 votes at: (Click here for map)
Gibsonia Baptist Church, 5440 US Hwy 98 N
Precincts 116 and 120 vote at: (Click here for map)
Faith Wesleyan Church, 3501 N Florida Ave
Precinct 121 votes at: (Click here for map)
Victory Assembly of God, Chapel, 1401 Griffin Rd
Precinct 201 votes at: (Click here for map)
Lake Crago Recreation Complex, 525 Lake Crago Dr
Precinct 204 votes at: (Click here for map)
Coleman-Bush Building, 1104 Martin L King Jr Ave
Precinct 205 votes at: (Click here for map)
Ewing Memorial 7th Day Adventist Church, 1201 N Webster Ave
Precinct 206 votes at: (Click here for map)
Lakeland 7th Day Adventist Church, 1443 N Gilmore Ave
Precincts 118, 209 and 210 vote at: (Click here for map)
First Baptist Institutional Church, 932 Martin L King Jr Ave
Precincts 211 and 217 vote at: (Click here for map)
Lake Mirror Center, 121 S Lake Ave
Precinct 212 votes at: (Click here for map)
Woodall's Mobile Home Village, 2121 New Tampa Hwy
Precincts 213 and 220 vote at: (Click here for map)
Hilton Garden Inn, 3839 Don Emerson Dr
Precinct 214 votes at: (Click here for map)
Trinity United Methodist Church, 715 Cornelia Ave
Precinct 216 votes at: (Click here for map)
RP Funding Center - Lake Parker Rm, 701 W Lime St
Precincts 219 and 225 vote at: (Click here for map)
Iglesia Bautista Unidos Por Fe, 1000 Mt. Airy Ave
Precinct 221 votes at: (Click here for map)
Heatherwood Village, 1925 Harden Blvd
Precinct 222 votes at: (Click here for map)
Mas Verde MHP, 2600 Harden Blvd
Precinct 223 votes at: (Click here for map)
College Heights Methodist Church, 942 South Blvd
Precinct 224 votes at: (Click here for map)
Cleveland Heights Golf Course, Sawgrass Room, 2900 Buckingham Ave
Precinct 228 votes at: (Click here for map)
United Methodist Temple, 2700 S Florida Ave
Precinct 229 votes at: (Click here for map)
Kelly Recreation Complex, Gymnasium, 404 Imperial Blvd
Precinct 230 votes at: (Click here for map)
Cleveland Heights Baptist Church, 3120 Cleveland Heights Blvd
Precinct 231 votes at: (Click here for map)
First Alliance Church, 1919 E Edgewood Dr
Precincts 233 and 234 vote at: (Click here for map)
Lakeland Elks Lodge #1291, 4529 Harden Blvd
Precinct 235 votes at: (Click here for map)
Fellowship Baptist Church, 4625 Cleveland Heights Blvd
Precincts 226 and 236 vote at: (Click here for map)
Highland Park Church (FMB 707), 4730 Lakeland Highlands Rd
Precincts 253 and 254 vote at: (Click here for map)
Sun 'n Fun Expo Campus, Geico Atrium, 4075 James C. Ray Dr
- Winter Haven City Residents vote at the following locations: (Sample Ballot)
Precincts 319 and 340 vote at: (Click here for map)
Abiding Savior Lutheran Church, 1910 Havendale Blvd NW
Precincts 331, 332, 337, 339, 415, 522, 529, 545, 547 vote at: (Click here for map)
- Calvary Baptist Church, 2101 Overlook Dr SE
Precincts 313 and 314 vote at: (Click here for map)
First Baptist Church Lucerne Park, 5650 State Road 544
Precinct 325 votes at: (Click here for map)
Samson Masonic Lodge #142, 120 Ave R NW
Precincts 329, 330, 336 and 343 vote at: (Click here for map)
Southside Baptist Church, 1301 7th St SW
Precincts 322, 323, 324 and 326 vote at: (Click here for map)
Winter Haven Senior Adult Center, 250 S Lake Silver Dr NW
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VETERAN'S DAY- NOVEMBER 11th, 2023
CLICK ON THE LINKS UNDERNEATH EACH PHOTO FOR MORE INFORMATION
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VIRTUAL LIVE TRAINING
What is a Democratic Precinct Chair?
November 15, 2023
Reserve your spot
About the event
Join the National Democratic Training Committee on Wednesday, November 15th from 1pm-2:30pm ET for a free virtual live training on What is a Democratic Precinct Chair, designed to strengthen the Democratic foundation in your community. As you prepare, NDTC will equip you to get closer to that victory on Election Day. We’re here to help, so join us to learn the following:
- Describe the role of local Democratic Parties
- Understand positions within local Democratic Parties
- Discuss non-electoral organizing in your community
- Understand tactics to maintain and engage local Party membership
CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO REGISTER
REGISTER
A recommended (not required) course to take in our Online Academy is Member Recruitment and Retention for Local Democratic Parties.
Have accessibility questions? Reply to your registration email to confirm your requirements or request more information.
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Check out our upcoming events for an event near you!
Donate to NDTC today and empower even more Democrats to win.
Event Details
Virtual Live Training
Nov 15, 2023
1:00pm - 2:30pm (ET)
We will be using Zoom for this training. We encourage downloading the app version (instead of viewing directly in your web browser) so that you can fully participate in any breakout groups.
Your Zoom link is visible once registered for this event on our website, and the Zoom link will be emailed as a reminder to you 30 minutes prior to the start of the training. Zoom will ask you to verify that you’re an authorized user. This is a security measure we’ve added – all you need to do is sign in to a free Zoom account (this is different from your traindemocrats.org account). For more information on how to set up your Zoom account, please click here.
NDTC will record this event: by attending, you give NDTC permission to take photographs and record videos including me at this event, and to use them for its internal and external purposes.
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DISABILITY ADVOCATE AND HEALTH CARE ACTIVIST ADY BARKAN HAS DIED AT AGE 39 FROM COMPLICATIONS RELATING TO ALS
FROM THE HILL
A wave of tributes honoring health care activist Ady Barkan is pouring in from lawmakers after he died Wednesday from complications from ALS, a terminal neurodegenerative condition also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Be a Hero, a political organization he co-founded in 2018 to push for health care reform, announced Barkan died Wednesday from complications due to ALS, which he was diagnosed with in 2016. After his diagnosis, he became a national advocate for health care reform and argued health care should be treated like a human right.
“Up until his death, Ady spent his days working with the Be A Hero team of staff and volunteers to stop health insurance corporations from gouging Medicare and denying patients care, and fighting to make it possible for people with disabilities and older adults who need home and community-based services to get the care they need surrounded by the people they love,” the post from Be a Hero stated.
Barkan testified in a congressional hearing in 2019 to express support for “Medicare for All,” a progressive health care proposal that aimed to restructure the U.S. health system. He initially endorsed Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) in the 2020 Democratic primary, but later endorsed President Biden despite his concerns that Biden did not support Medicare for All.
“Ady Barkan was a hero who made this world a better place. I’m grateful for his years of friendship and my heart is with Rachael, Willow, and Carl tonight,” Warren said in a statement, speaking of Barkan’s wife and children.
Barkan later interviewed Biden on health care policies and also spoke at the 2020 Democratic National Convention. In the past, he has also worked with and supported Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).
“Ady Barkan was an inspiration to all of us. There are very few people in this country who have done more to make health care a human right. To honor his life, let us dedicate ourselves to completing his work,” Sanders posted on X, formerly Twitter.
The Progressive Caucus said in a statement that the “progressive movement has lost a hero.” Chair Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) said in a statement that her “heart breaks today to hear about the passing of Ady Barkan,” adding that he “accomplished more in his too-short life than many do in many lifetimes.”
California Democrats also honored Barkan, who lived in California, in statements Wednesday.
“I’m crushed by news that Ady Barkan has passed away. Ady was many things — a friend, dedicated father and husband, and courageous activist whose legacy fighting injustices in health care will inspire generations. My thoughts are with his loved ones in this difficult time,” Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) said on X.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) paid her tributes to Barkan, calling him a “dear friend” in a post on X.
“We are heartbroken by Ady Barkan’s passing. No one worked smarter to advance the principle that health care is a right, not a privilege,” she said.
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House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa, issued a statement Friday tying the planned special session to DeSantis’ presidential bid.
“This looks like yet another case of Ron DeSantis using the Legislature to try to help his failing presidential campaign,” Driskell said. “We will be watching closely to make sure Floridians’ tax dollars aren’t wasted trying to impress out-of-state GOP primary voters. DeSantis’ policy failures at home have left Floridians paying the most for homeowners insurance, auto insurance and rent in the country. I think Floridians would prefer their governor spend as much time addressing these pocketbook issues here as he spends on his ambitions.”
REPUGNANT NAZI DISPLAYS IN CENTRAL FLORIDA
Following disgusting, racist, Nazi acts in Orlando and surrounding areas (Nazis paraded through parts of Orlando), we Floridians are still waiting on Governor DeSantis to denounce the actions and Nazis. As we enter a 10th week, he has still FAILED to do so.
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VOTER REGISTRATION TRAINING EVERY MONTH!
Sign up to learn how we’re providing registration information now, what the new rules are, and best practices for finding our target voters. Held via Zoom each month on the 3rd Wednesday at 1 PM.
Sign up on Mobilize: https://www.mobilize.us/polkcountydec/event/452722/
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BALLOT 2024
Help us get these amendments onto the Ballot next year. Distribute petitions amongst your friends, family and communities. Knowledge is POWER!
PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS FOR THE NOVEMBER 2024 BALLOT
Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion
Text: No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s healthcare provider. This amendment does not change the Legislature’s constitutional authority to require notification to a parent or guardian before a minor has an abortion.
Sponsor:
Floridians Protecting Freedom, Inc.
Post Office Box 4068
Sarasota, FL 34230
(305) 647-2666
Petition available at: https://floridiansprotectingfreedom.com/
A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM OUR FRIEND, TAYLOR AGUILERA, INTERIM ORGANIZING DIRECTOR FOR FLORIDIANS PROTECTING FREEDOM:
We only have two months left of our petition gathering phase of our campaign and this is our one shot at making sure Floridians get the opportunity to vote on this issue in 2024. With two months left of gathering signatures, it's important that everyone is leaned in and laser focused on continuing outreach at community events, door to door, hot spots, and always asking for voters and volunteers to carry blank petitions with them to collect from their personal networks.
I would like to invite you and your members to join us on Wednesday, November 8th, at 6 PM on Zoom for our Organizing Call to cover the Final Push for Petition strategy. You will get to hear an update and analysis on the Ohio abortion ballot initiative results, receive an update on the state of our petition gathering efforts, and receive a final push call to action to help activate as many activists and organizers from across the state in this final push.
Please register then share this sign up link and graphic with your members and network. I hope to see you next Wednesday! Please let me know if there's any support you need regarding petition collection.
SIGN UP HERE: flfree.link/push
Right to Clean and Healthy Waters Amendment
Text: This amendment creates a fundamental right to clean and healthy waters. The amendment may be used to sue State executive agencies for harm or threatened harm to Florida’s waters, which include aquatic ecosystems. This amendment defines terms, identifies affected constitutional provisions in Article IV governing the executive branch, provides for civil action enforcement, allows attorney’s and expert witness fees to prevailing plaintiffs, and provides equitable remedies including restoration of waters.
Sponsor:
Florida Right To CleanWater
13300 South Cleveland Avenue
Suite 56
Fort Myers, FL 33907
(239) 898-2044
Petition: Available at:
FloridaRighttoCleanWater.org
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The Polk County Democrats next monthly general meeting is November 13th, 2023
Club, Caucus and Committee Meetings
November 6th- November 12th, 2023
Solivita Democratic Club
Wednesday, November 8th, 6:30pm
Guest Speaker: Kathie Sutherland, President, Polk Clean Energy Alliance, Inc.
Polk Democratic Senior Caucus
Wednesday, November 8th, 7:00pm
Guest Speaker: Jon "Bowzer" Bauman, President, Social Security Works PAC
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Civic Activities around the Area
November 6th- November 12th, 2023
Auburndale City Commission Meeting
Monday, November 6th, 7pm
Bartow City Commission Meeting
Monday, November 6th, 6pm
Davenport City Commission Meeting
Monday, November 6th, 7pm
Eagle Lake City Commission Meeting
Monday, November 6th, 7pm
Frostproof City Council Meeting
Monday, November 6th, 6pm
Lakeland City Commission Meeting
Monday, November 6th, 9am
Lake Alfred City Commission Meeting
Monday, November 6th, 7pm
Lake Hamilton Town Council Meeting
Tuesday, November 7th, 6pm
Lake Wales City Commission Meeting
Tuesday, November 7th, 6pm
Polk County Commission Meeting
Tuesday, November 7th, 9am
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Democratic Party of Polk County, Club & Caucus Links
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If you would like to know more about a caucus or club which does not have a hyperlink, please email PolkCountyDemocrats@gmail.com
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Paid Political Advertisement for the Democratic Party of Polk County
6039 Cypress Gardens, PMB 328, Winter Haven, FL 33884
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