New events, easy vote by mail ballot request and important updates.

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Thank you to our Indian River County Democrat volunteers that helped table at the Earth Day celebration. We have two more opportunities to volunteer below on May 6th, 7th and 20th. Also, congratulations to our new precinct captains: Ellen Melvin, Rich Colton and Jeff Lee.

Are you following us on Facebook?

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FLORIDA NEWS
GOP Voter Edge in Florida Now Tops More than 450,000

Florida Democrats historically held a registration advantage, but Republicans overtook them in 2021. Read the full article here ([link removed]) .
Request Your Vote-By-Mail Ballot Here ([link removed])
GLSEN Responds to Florida Board of Education's
Decision to Expand Curriculum Ban

The decision by the Florida Board of Education to extend curriculum bans through twelfth grade is disgraceful — and it will result in catastrophic consequences for Florida students and supportive educators. Curriculum bans deprive LGBTQ+ youth of the opportunity to see themselves reflected in the classroom and their non-LGBTQ+ peers from learning about LGBTQ+ communities. Read the full statement here ([link removed]) .

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** Saturday & Sunday, May 6 & 7, 2023 9am-5pm
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Annual Treasure Coast Seafood Festival at Indian River Fairgrounds

Volunteers needed to help provide voter information and sell Democrats of Indian River Merchandise. Contact [email protected] to volunteer.

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This legislative session has made our state more dangerous and less free. From permitless carry and bans on reproductive rights to attacks on our public education and diversity initiatives - we must fight back with one strong voice. The urgency of this moment calls us to stand together.

Join Florida Dems in Tampa on May 7 as we demonstrate a united movement and raise our voices against the divisive and dangerous legislation passed in this session.

Sign up below and bring your voices, friends, banners, and flags to show our movement is united. If your organization would like to partner with FDP, please contact [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) . Once you register, you will receive the location of the event.

Stand United Rally Link ([link removed])
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Saturday May 20, 2020 10am-2pm


** MLK, Jr. Walking Trail & Park ([link removed])
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The Democratic Club of Indian River is looking for volunteers to table at this fun and family-friendly event. Please email Caryl at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) to volunteer.

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DEMOCRATS OF INDIAN RIVER
Democratic Executive Council
Next meeting will be Thursday May 25, 2023

Social Club Meeting
Thursday May 25, 2023 6pm
Location to be announced soon!


DWC Luncheon at Bent Pine
Saturday May 13, 2023 11:30 am
6001 Clubhouse Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32967

Samantha McGuire, Marine Biologist at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, will present on Marine Mammals & their Dolphin Spotter Program at Harbor Branch.
RSVP to [email protected] by 5/10

DWC Book Club Group
Friday May 26, 2023 2pm-4pm
Brackett Library on the IRSC Mueller Campus

We will discuss “THE BLUEST EYE” by Toni Morrison.
Questions? Email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .
UPDATE: The Democratic Women’s Club Scholarship Luncheon was held on Saturday, April 15th. Five scholarships of $1500 were awarded to very accomplished young women from
Sebastian River and Vero Beach High School. Dr Terri A. Graham, president of the
IRSC Mueller campus was the featured speaker.

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GOVERNMENT MEETINGS
Tuesday May 16th 9am
Indian River County Board of County Commission Meeting
Building A, Commission Chambers. Details here ([link removed]) .
Monday May 22nd 6pm-9pm
School District of Indian River County
School Board Business Meeting. Details here ([link removed]) .
Wednesday May 10th & 24th 6pm
City of Sebastian
Regular City Council Meeting at City Hall. Details here ([link removed]) .

Tuesday June 6th 6pm
City of Sebastian
Natural Resources Board Meeting at City Hall. Details here ([link removed]) .

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Help get clean-water initiative on Florida ballot

The Right To Clean Water campaign was born out of frustration with our state’s lack of effective action to clean up the polluted waters of Florida.

Every year for the past four years, the Legislature has ignored the recommendations of the Blue Green Algae Task Force, a blue-ribbon body of scientists appointed by the governor to solve our water pollution problems. Each year, good environmental protection bills are introduced that get watered down or go nowhere.

Input from small environmental groups such as ours can’t compete with the paid lobbyists in Tallahassee that represent Big Ag and the developers.

It’s time for a new approach: an amendment to the state constitution giving citizens the right to clean water and giving standing for an individual or group to sue the executive branch of our state government and its agencies for actions or inactions that harm Florida’s waters.

This campaign has been endorsed by several local non-profits: Pelican Island Audubon Society, Friends of St. Sebastian River and the Democratic Women’s Club of Indian River County as well as ourselves, the Indian River Neighborhood Association.

In order to get this amendment on the 2024 ballot, 892,000 signed petitions must be submitted to the state by November. That’s a heavy lift and we need lots of help to reach that number. We are out gathering petitions on street corners and at local events. We ask that you become a supporter by signing a petition or volunteering to collect them at your workplace, neighborhood or club.

For more information please see www.FloridaRightToCleanWater.org ([link removed]) . To join the local campaign, please contact the Indian River Neighborhood Association at 772-234-8718 or email [email protected]. (mailto:[email protected])

Jean Catchpole, Vero Beach, chairs the Water & Lagoon Committee of the Indian River Neighborhood Association.


** To submit your letters to the Editor, go to:
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Video of the Week
Watch the Video then CLICK HERE to Take Action ([link removed])
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Paper versions of our newsletter are now available in the office and in all Indian River County public libraries.
Indian River Democrats Office Location
2345 14^th Ave. Suite 7
Vero Beach 32960

(772) 226-5267

[email protected]
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