Polk County Democratic Party Weekly Digest: September 25th - October 1st, 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!!!!
LOOK AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK: OUR PREVIEW OF QUALIFIED CANDIDATES FOR THE NOVEMBER 2023 MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS
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Communities and Clubs in Action!
As many of you are aware, the city government of Lake Wales has been infiltrated by Christian Nationalists, Nazi supporters and opponents of true democracy. They are concerned with enriching their own pockets at the expense of the city as a whole. It is vital that our citizens know what is happening and being decided for the future of their communities. If you live in Lake Wales, please show your support for honest and transparent government by attending the Planning and Zoning Committee Meeting, this Tuesday, September 26th at 5:30pm. Among miscellaneous agenda items, there will be discussion to approve a major site for an Advanced Drainage System. If you have any questions, please contact Lake Wales Democratic Club president Tammy James at jamestammy123@gmail.com.
Committee Meeting Information
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School Is In Session!
Florida Democrats have a state caucus dedicated to Public Schools and Education, the Democratic Public Education Caucus of Florida (https://www.dpecf.org/). Two of the founding board members are the DEC's own Karen Welzel and Sarah Fortney. They are looking to organize a Polk County Chapter of the caucus and ask that all interested individuals contact them for more information. Those who attended the in person May 2023 DEC Meeting will remember Caucus President Scott Hottenstein and Caucus Vice President and Orange County School Candidate Stephanie Vanos, speaking to our group about the vital work of the DPECF.
The Democratic Progressive Caucus of Hillsborough County is hosting their monthly meeting on Thursday, September 28th at 7pm. The Mobilize link for the meeting is HERE. The focus of the meeting is the "Miseducation of Florida" and presenters include Jessica Vaughn, Hillsborough County School Board Member, lawyer James Michael Shaw and advocate with the Florida Freedom to Read Project, Jessica Wright.
For more information please contact Karen Welzel at kwelzel628@gmail.com.
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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, September 27th at 3
pm. Please let John Hill know if you would like to attend at vicechair2@polkdemocrats.net
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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 25th- October 1st, 2023
DEC Finance Committee Meeting
Monday, September 25th, 5:30pm
Zoom
Democratic Women's Club of Lakeland
Monday, September 25th, 6pm
1515 Williamsburg Square, Lakeland, FL 33803
Speaker: Sue Schulz, League of Women Voters- Florida
Polk County Young Democrats
Tuesday, September 26th,
W. M. Hollis Room
Florida Southern College
111 Lake Hollingsworth Drive
Lakeland, FL 33801
Campaign and Candidate Recruitment Committee
Wednesday, September 27th, 3pm
Zoom
Polk Democratic Environmental Caucus
Wednesday, September 27th, 7pm
Zoom
Speaker: TBA
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Civic Activities around the Area
September 25th- October 1st, 2023
Winter Haven City Commission Meeting
Monday, September 25th, 6pm
Dundee Town Commission Meeting
Tuesday, September 26th, 6:30pm
Ft. Meade Special Commission Meeting- Budget
Tuesday, September 26th, 6pm
Lake Alfred City Commission Meeting
Thursday, September 28th, 7pm
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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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