Election This November, Our Team Beach & Abortion Access Updates

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This week's newsletter is full of important new information. We cannot over state the importance of all county Democrats making an effort to get ballot petitions signed to put abortion access on the November 2024 ballot. Stop by our headquarters to pick up a stack of petitions to share with your friends, neighbors, service providers, family, etc. Then, returned the signed petitions to our office.

We are also excited to share details for our International Coastal Clean Up team. We have our own beach! Please make sure to RSVP below to be a part of the team.

Also, did you know we have an election coming up in just three months? We're sharing all the details below.
ABORTION ACCESS UPDATE

Oral arguments for the 15-week ban lawsuit begin on September 8th at the Florida Supreme Court. If the court decision undermines our personal right to privacy, the six-week near-total ban enacted by Gov. DeSantis and his legislative allies will be triggered into effect 30 days later.

This moment doesn’t call for us to panic, it calls for us to prepare, and go on offense.
In new polling, two in three Americans say they would vote to protect the right to abortion in their state’s constitution if their state held a vote on the issue, as the same share believe it is likely that Republicans would pass a nationwide abortion ban if they take control of both the White House and Congress in 2024.
You have an opportunity to put abortion access on Florida's ballot! Stop by our headquarters at 2345 14th Ave. Vero Beach to sign your petition or Download and print your petition HERE ([link removed]) and then drop it off. Then, ask others to sign the petition too. We have copies for you at our office.
VOTER REGISTRATION UPDATE

This week, the Florida Democratic Party introduced ([link removed]) their new Voter Registration Director, Kristellys Estanga. With 15+ years of experience as a political consultant and strategist, Kristellys is leading the charge for a stronger democracy in Florida. She's spearheading a comprehensive plan to reduce the Republican advantage by 35% before 2024. This commitment is backed by $1 million for targeted voter registration efforts at the local level.

Kristellys' journey from Venezuela to the US fuels her passion for civic engagement. Her expertise, combined with her psychology and urban studies background, makes her the perfect leader for this mission. Kristellys says, "Let's move beyond divisive history and usher in a brighter era for Florida." Democrats of Indian River welcome Kristellys as we work towards an engaged and inclusive future!
LOCAL ELECTIONS
We have an election coming up! Indian River County voters will participate in 2023 municipal elections on November 7, 2023. The voter registration deadline for this election is October 10, 2023 and the last day to request a mail-in-ballot for this election is October 26th by 5 p.m.

The qualifying period for city council elections in Fellsmere, Sebastian, Vero Beach have ended leaving voters with nine candidates for consideration across the county. In Fellsmere, there will be no local election since just the two incumbents — Inocensia Hernandez and Gerald Renick — filed for reelection.

In Sebastian, six candidates are running for three two-year seats on the Sebastian City Council.

Damien H. Gilliams
Damien L. "Junior" Gilliams
Fred Jones, incumbent
Sherrie Matthews
Bob McPartlan, incumbent
Christopher Nunn, incumbent
In Vero Beach, three candidates are running for two two-year seats up for election.

John Cotugno, incumbent
Taylor Dingle
Honey Minuse

Request your Vote-By-Mail Ballot HERE ([link removed])
Education Update

Make a plan to attend the next Indian River County School Board meeting Monday August 28, 2023 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Details here ([link removed]) .

[link removed]
Why should you run for office?
Watch city officials explain what motivated them to run. Then, email us at [link removed] for more information.

TAKE ACTION
No matter what we look like or where we come from, we want our families to have the freedom to drink clean water, breathe safe air, and live in healthy communities. Sign the petition for the right to clean and healthy waters HERE ([link removed]) . Petitions can be dropped off or signed in person at our office.
We have nine volunteers who have joined the Democratic Club of Indian River International Coastal Cleanup Day team. Together, we'll contribute towards the survival of sea turtles, the beautification of our cherished home, and the improvement of the Indian River Lagoon's overall health.

Please complete this form ([link removed]) to let the Democratic Club of Indian River know how you would like to participate. This FREE event will take place Saturday, September 16th from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Seagrape Trail Beach Access (unguarded beach) located at 8462 Highway A1A, Vero Beach 32963 .

Proudly wear your Democrats of Indian River t-shirts and hats. You can purchase them at our Democratic Headquarters located at 1234 14th Street in Vero Beach every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m
RSVP HERE ([link removed])
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DEMOCRATS OF INDIAN RIVER
Volunteer with Democrats of Indian River HERE ([link removed])
Democratic Executive Committee

Steering Meeting
Wednesday September 20, 2023 5 p.m.
zoom meeting

DEC Meeting
Thursday September 28, 2023 6 p.m.
Heritage Center

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Democratic Club of Indian River Meeting
Thursday, September 21, 2023 6 p.m.
Location TBD

Join our club or pay dues HERE ([link removed]) .
Democratic Club of Indian River Meeting
Thursday, September 21, 2023 6 p.m.
Location TBD

Join our club or pay dues HERE ([link removed]) .
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Join our club HERE ([link removed]) .
DWC Luncheon at Bent Pine
Saturday September 9, 2023 11:30 a.m.
6001 Clubhouse Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32967

Heather Stapleton, Community Engagement Coordinator for One Lagoon National Estuary Program will be our speaker.
Non member guest are invited to attend. $30 payable by cash or check at the door. Please RSVP by September 6th & include our meal choice: BBQ Boneless Chicken Thighs, Ritz Cracker Crusted Cod or Vegetarian plate.
RSVP to [email protected] or text (718) 916-0682
DWC Book Group
Friday August 25, 2023 2 - 4 p.m.
Bjorkman Room at Brackett Library on IRSC Mueller Campus

We will discuss, "Sweet Taste of Liberty: A True Story of Slavery & Restitution in America" by W. Caleb McDaniel

Questions? Email [email protected]
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GOVERNMENT MEETINGS
Monday August 28, 2023 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
School District of Indian River County
School Board Business Meeting. Details here ([link removed]) .
Tuesday September 5, 2023 9 a.m.
Indian River County
Board of County Commission Meeting. Details here ([link removed]) .
Tuesday, September 12, 2023 9:30 a.m.
City of Vero Beach
Regular City Council Meeting. Details here ([link removed]) .
Thursday, September 26, 2023
Town of Indian River Shores
Regular Town Council Meeting.
Thursday September 7, 2023 7 p.m.
City of Fellsmere
Regular City Council Meeting details here ([link removed]) .
Wednesday September 13th, 2023 6 p.m.
City of Sebastian
Regular City Council Meeting at City Hall. Details here ([link removed]) .

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Indian River Democrats Office Location
2345 14^th Ave. Suite 7
Vero Beach 32960

Office Hours
Tues. to Thurs. 10am-3pm

(772) 226-5267

[email protected]
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