Polk County Democratic Party Weekly Digest: October 2nd - October 8th, 2023
Track the Biden Administration's campaign promises
All Vote By Mail requests expired after the 2022 General Election! Click here to request a VBM Ballot now.
***The last day to request a Vote By Mail ballot to use in the 2023 municipal elections (Auburndale, Fort Meade, Lakeland and Winter Haven) is Thursday, October 26th, 2023.***
Please check your registration as another 100k voters were purged from the Vote By Mail list!!!
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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.
AUBURNDALE
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LAKELAND
NW B:
Bill Read (R) incumbent, no opposition (automatically re-elected)
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SENIOR PLANET LEARNING COURSES
| Senior Planet from AARP (Seniorplanet.org) is a community of people 60 and older who are learning to thrive in the digital world. Senior Planet programs are offered free of charge online and in-person at Senior Planet locations in six states to help older adults build technology skills to allow them to improve their health, make new friendships, save money, and advocate in their communities. Senior Planet curriculum includes nearly 100 multi-week courses, lectures, and workshops. |
Upcoming Classes Include:
ALL THINGS ZOOM, Monday, October 9th 12:30pm
PROTECTING YOUR PERSONAL INFO ONLINE, Tuesday, October 10th, 6pm
ONLINE TOOLS FOR CONTACTING YOUR LAWMAKERS, Wednesday, October 11th, 4:30pm
MONEY MATTERS, Wednesday, October 18th, 11am
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HURRICANE SEASON REMINDERS FROM FDP
One of the best ways to show our neighbors that we are there for them is by supporting a local nonprofit organization assisting with the recovery efforts on the ground.
- Farm Share – Donate to support food banks with distribution points in hurricane impacted areas
- 2-1-1 Big Bend – Donate to support 24 hour crisis hotline support and direct connection to local community resources in the Big Bend
- Direct Relief – Donate to support their work with local healthcare facilities in Florida and throughout the U.S. Gulf Coast to ensure those in need have medication, supplies, and necessary care.
Unfortunately, scams and fraudulent charities are common in the aftermath of disasters like this. To ensure your donation is going directly to our communities, donate to trusted, well-known organizations, and check the charity is registered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. |
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2023 Poll Workers Needed
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OUT AND ABOUT IN POLK COUNTY
Polk Legislative Delegation Meeting
Monday, October 2nd, 1-6pm
Legislative delegation meetings are public meetings happening before the start of a new legislative session. These meetings occur throughout the state; Senators and Representatives from each district are present at these forums, providing an opportunity for the public to present legislative proposals, make funding requests, or express opinions on state issues. If you want to affect change and policy, show up to your local delegation meeting.
Sign up to attend with the Mobilize link from Families for Strong Public Schools
https://www.mobilize.us/strongflschools/event/582709/
Families for Strong Public Schools believes that our children’s educational success requires listening, collaboration, and understanding at all levels. By working together as parents, teachers, families, and within government, we can create educational spaces that truly serve their primary goal: supporting and educating our children.
Make no mistake: certain politicians are trying to weaponize education and take control of our children’s future. This effort to bring down public schools and dismantle education in this country will have disastrous lasting effects.
Schools are the foundation of our communities and teach our children to be good American citizens. Public schools are about much more than personal achievement. They prepare children to work together to advance not just themselves, but our communities. We must put our kids first when making decisions about the future of our schools. We know students deserve a quality education that offers them every opportunity to succeed. Our children are our future and they are counting on us to work together to ensure our schools are the best America has to offer.
That’s why Families for Strong Public Schools is dedicated to centering our students in education policy by unifying, educating, and empowering parents to support a strong public education agenda at all levels of government.
ARE YOU READY TO DANCE FOR DEMOCRACY!?!?!?!?!
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ELECTIONS ARE HAPPENING EVERYWHERE IN POLK COUNTY- ARE YOU TIRED OF BEING REPRESENTED BY NAZI SUPPORTERS AND READY TO RUN?
To see who has filed to run in local/municipal races, click this link to be taken to the Polk County Supervision of Elections candidate page. This list is updated regularly.
To see who has filed to run in state elections, click this link to be taken to the Florida Division of Elections candidate page. This list is also updated regularly.
If you are interested in running for office and need more information please reach out to the DEC with any questions/requests. We must contest every seat to enact the positive change we desperately need in Polk County and beyond!
The next Campaign and Candidate Recruitment Committee Meeting is Wednesday, October 11th at 3
pm. Please let John Hill know if you would like to attend at vicechair2@polkdemocrats.net
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SENATOR DIANNE FEINSTEIN PASSES AWAY
U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, 90, passed away on Friday, September 29th. She was the longest serving female Senator in U.S. history and a tireless advocate for oppressed individuals and communities. California Governor Gavin Newsom will appoint a replacement to serve the remainder of her term which ends in January 2025. The governor previously stated he would not appoint anyone who was currently running for the seat, which would rule out U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee, Katie Porter and Adam Schiff. The Congressional Black Caucus issued a statement on Sunday asking that Governor Newsom appoint Representative Lee to the seat. See story HERE.
  
U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee, Katie Porter and Adam Schiff
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 5th 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 this year. Distribute them 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/
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 October 9th, 2023
Club, Caucus and Committee Meetings
October 2nd- October 8th, 2023
DEC Steering Committee
Monday, October 2nd, 6:30pm
Zoom
Lake Ashton Democratic Club
Thursday, October 5th, 5:30pm
Guest Speaker: Mat Grocholske, President, Polk Young Dems
Lakeland Democratic Club
Thursday, October 5th, 6:30pm
Guest Speaker: Ben Graffam, League of Women Voters- Polk County
Location: The Well- 114 E Parker St. Lakeland, FL 33801
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Civic Activities around the Area
October 2nd- October 8th, 2023
Polk Legislative Delegation Meeting
Monday, October 2nd, 1pm
Location- Polk State College
Center For Public Safety
1251 Jim Keene Boulevard
Winter Haven, FL 33880
Auburndale City Commission Meeting
Monday, October 2nd, 7pm
Bartow City Commission Meeting
Monday, October 2nd, 6pm
Davenport City Commission Meeting
Monday, October 2nd, 7pm
Eagle Lake City Commission Meeting
Monday, October 2nd, 7pm
Frostproof City Council Meeting
Monday, October 2nd, 6pm
Lakeland City Commission Meeting
Monday, October 2nd 9am
Lake Hamilton Town Council Meeting
Tuesday, October 3rd, 6pm
Polk County Commission Meeting
Tuesday, October 3rd, 9am
Haines City Commission Meeting
Wednesday, October 4th, 7pm
Lake Wales City Commission Meeting
Wednesday, October 4th, 6pm
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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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