Polk County Democratic Party Weekly Digest: September 18th - September 24th, 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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National Voter Registration Day
September 19th, 2023
The Polk County Supervisor of Elections office will have representatives at the following locations to register people to vote in celebration of National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday.
Second 2 None Barbershop
1320 N Florida Ave, Lakeland FL 33805
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Lakeland Regional Medical Center
1324 Lakeland Hills Blvd. Lakeland FL 33805
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Geico Corporate Office
3535 W Pipkin Rd. Lakeland 33811
11:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Auburndale Library
100 W Bridgers Ave, Auburndale, FL 33823
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Lakeland Courthouse (Kiosk)
800 CR 540A East, Lakeland FL 33813
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Winter Haven Library
325 Ave A NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Election Headquarters
250 S. Broadway Avenue, Bartow, FL 33830
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Election Operations Center
70 Florida Citrus Blvd., Winter Haven, FL 33880
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Polk Supervisors of Elections Webpage (to check your voter registration and to sign up to vote by mail)
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Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15th-October 15th, 2023
National Hispanic Heritage Month (Spanish: Mes nacional de la herencia hispana) is annually celebrated from September 15 to October 15 in the United States for recognizing the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. For more information on the history of the celebration and upcoming events click the links below.
On October 17th, six outstanding individuals will be inducted into the Polk Arts and Cultural Alliance Hall of Fame, including the late Rick Olivo, native of Puerto Rico, who lived his adult life in Lakeland. Mr. Olivo founded the Pied Piper Players, the precursor to the Lakeland Community Theatre. He also scultped the model used for Lakeland's ubiquitous swan sculptures.
National Hispanic Heritage Month
White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics
Florida celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
October 7th at Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland
     
Top Row, L-R: Roberto Clemente, MLB Hall of Fame; U.S. Rep. Darren Soto (D-9); "Queen of Salsa" Celia Cruz
Bottom Row, L-R: Polk Arts and Cultural Alliance Hall of Fame member Rick Olivo; labor organizer Cesar Chavez; Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor
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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 Congressional App Challenge
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OUT AND ABOUT IN POLK COUNTY
HOW FAR WE'VE COME!
For an unparalleled educational experience, visit the Polk County History Center and view the current exhibit- The 19th Amendment at 100 Years: A Milestone of Democracy for Women's Suffrage and the brand new companion exhibit, Delta Sigma Theta, 110 Years of Social Activism
  
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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, September 27th at 3
pm. Please let John Hill know if you would like to attend at vicechair2@polkdemocrats.net
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DeSantis personifies GOP hyporcrisy
Governor DeSantis requested federal relief funds post Hurricane Idalia, after refusing to meet with President Biden during his Florida trip. The request was sent to the USDA on Friday.
REPUGNANT NAZI DISPLAYS CONTINUE IN CENTRAL FLORIDA
Following disgusting, racist, Nazi acts in Orlando and surrounding areas (Nazis paraded through parts of Orlando again this weekend), we Floridians are still waiting on Governor DeSantis to denounce the actions and Nazis. As we enter a 3rd 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
September 18th- September 24th, 2023
Membership Precinct and Organizing Committee
Monday, September 18th, 7pm
For more information contact John Hill, 2nd Vice Chair, vicechair2@polkdemocrats.net
Polk Democratic Jewish Caucus
Tuesday, September 19th, 7pm
Speaker: Dr. Rosemarie Lamm, The Roth Center
Rainbow Ridge LGBTQ Caucus
Tuesday, September 19th, 6:30pm
Speaker: Mat Grocholske, Polk County Young Dems
Location: Colon Bakery, 42 Maxcy Point, Haines City, FL
Voter Registration Committee
Thursday, September 21st, 7pm
For more information contact Barbara Dutcher, committee chair, polkdecvr@gmail.com
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Civic Activities around the Area
September 18th- September 24th, 2023
Frostproof City Commission Meeting
Monday, September 18th, 6pm
Lakeland City Commission Meeting
Monday, September 18th, 9am
Polk County Commission Final Budget Hearing
Monday, September 18th, no time listed
Auburndale City Commission Meeting
Tuesday, September 19th, 7pm
Bartow City Commission Meeting
Tuesday, September 19th, 6pm
Lake Hamilton Final Budget Hearing
Tuesday, September 19th, 5:05pm
Lake Wales City Commission Meeting
Tuesday, September 19th, 6pm
Polk County Commission Meeting
Tuesday, September 19th, 9am
Davenport Planning Commission Meeting
Thursday, September 21st, 6:30pm
Davenport Budget Public Hearing and City Commission Meeting
Thursday, September 21st, 7pm
Haines City Commission Meeting
Thursday, September 21st, 7pm
Lakeland City Budget Hearing
Thursday, September 21st, 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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