“More than anything, this pandemic has fully finally torn back the curtain on the idea that

so many of the folks in charge know what they’re doing. A lot of them aren’t even pretending to be in charge.”

Legislature To Consider Measures To Make Voting by Mail Easier -

Here's How You Can Help

Can you write a letter to the editor? This week, the General Assembly will consider proposals to make voting by mail easier. The reasons for voting by mail are obvious. Elections since the coronavirus have been sketchy and dangerous. In the Wisconsin primary, tens of thousands of vote by mail ballots were delivered late, leading to long lines at Milwaukee polling places (picture on right). We need to act now so that doesn't happen here!

North Carolina has established vote by mail procedures, which work, but only about 4 percent of voters voted by mail in recent elections. Part of the reason for low participation in voting by mail is the social aspect of voting in person. However voting by mail is not as easy as it should be.

Voting by mail can be very successful, even with poor and minority populations. The recent special election in Baltimore to fill Elijah Cummings' vacant seat demonstrated how successful voting by mail can be, with little or no drop-off in participation.

The Baltimore election was so successful because ballots were mailed to every eligible voter, without the need for the voter to apply for a ballot by mail. Informed observers of the North Carolina legislature report that there is no chance that the legislature will approve mailing ballots to every voter. We are probably stuck with a two-step process that requires voters to apply to receive a vote by mail ballot, then to mail in the completed ballot.

However, there are still ways our process can be improved. First, Congress has voted $10 million to help fund the 2020 NC election. To get the money, North Carolina must match $2 million. North Carolina is going to need that money for hand sanitizer, masks, gloves, signage, additional ballots and envelopes and pay for election workers. In Wisconsin, the governor was forced to call out the National Guard to assist at polling places because of the unavailability of poll workers.

Here's my request: please write a letter to the editor this week about improving vote by mail procedures.

Common Cause has been a strong advocate for improving vote by mail procedures. Their recommendations for improvements are set forth here. The State Board of Elections also made a set of recommendations. You can read the SBOE recommendations here.

You can use either or both of those as a starting point for your letter.

Also, don't forget to apply for an absentee ballot for yourself. Do it now. There is no advantage to waiting. To request an absentee ballot click here.

It Didn't Have To Be This Way

This week, Dr. Rick Bright, a top government virologist, testified as a whistleblower before Congress. He said that he was relieved of his position after raising concerns about the Trump administration's advocacy for Hydrochloroquine, a treatment that has since been discredited as both ineffective and dangerous.

Among other things Rick Bright said were that our window of opportunity for developing a coordinated response is closing. He said "Without better planning, 2020 could be the darkest winter in modern history."

But it didn't have to be that way. An N95 mask manufacturer told Bright back in January that a pandemic crisis was looming due to the government's inaction on standing up additional manufacturing capacity for masks needed for healthcare workers caring for pandemic patients. "We're in deep shit" Mark Bowen told him. Bowen urged the government to support measures that could have brought substantial additional capacity online to produce N 95 masks. His warnings went unheeded.

Bright also testified that the government was not taking the coordinated steps necessary to scale up vaccine production, and is still not. If he's right, it will be a very dark winter, and it didn't have to be that way.

Virtual Happy Hours To Continue

NHCDP will continue the weekly Monday night meetings through June at least with the assistance of Lani Hashimoto as the behind the scenes Zoom Master. We aim to introduce New Hanover voters to all of the statewide and local candidates. Details for the sessions we have scheduled are below. Suggestions for guests or discussion topics are welcome - you can submit them by replying to this email.

Successful Democratic District Convention This Saturday

The Seventh Congressional District Democratic Party held its convention Saturday over Zoom. Seventh District Chair Sonya Bennetone chaired the first ever virtual district meeting, which elected Delegates to the Democratic National Convention, and an Elector to the Electoral College. Congrats Sonya!

EVENTS

NHCDP Town Hall With Elaine Marshall and Beth Wood -- May 18

When: Monday May 18, 7:00 p.m.

Where: Zoom

Join us for a Town Hall meeting with Elaine Marshall and Beth Wood. These two public servants will share decades of wisdom and experience - Marshall has been our Secretary of State since 1996, and Wood has been our State Auditor since 2008.

Please note that you need to register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtdOGpqTgpG9eTwxdpNOsUeoOMFgcRKmdZ

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information about joining the meeting.

If you are unfamiliar with Zoom, we recommend that you begin your efforts to sign in at 6:30. Use a laptop with a web cam or an iPad if you have one. If you need help, we have volunteers who can help you get in: Jim Fleagle at (919) 426-3355 and Stephanie Fetzer at (704) 309-3918.

Coffee With Clayton: Preservation Month Edition -- May 23

When: Saturday May 23, 10:00 a.m.

Where: Zoom

Coffee with Clayton - Preservation Month Edition. Clayton will celebrate Preservation Month by highlighting some local stories from the county and from the Registry, speaking about the role that the Register of Deeds plays in historic preservation. Questions welcomed.

You can RSVP here (not required): https://www.facebook.com/events/245267696691577/

Or just join the Zoom meeting here: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/4355596278?pwd=VEpOanQ0RllRWk1CQ25VNHNsQWJTZz09

Memorial Day Virtual Barbecue with Marcia Morgan -- May 25

When: Monday May 25, 7:00 p.m.

Where: Zoom

Celebrate Memorial Day with Marcia Morgan and a roundtable discussion with Veterans!

Click here to join the event: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81375379120?pwd=U29RWlhjTlVWZnpBbjdIbmdXMXl5Zz09

Meet and Greet with Ronnie Chatterji and Marcia Morgan -- May 26

When: Tuesday May 26th, 6:00 p.m.

Where: Zoom

Ronnie Chatterji, candidate for NC Treasurer is doing a free Meet and Greet With HD 19 Candidate Marcia Morgan on Zoom. Here is the registration link: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/mrmg

NHCDP Town Hall With All 5 Court of Appeals Candidates -- June 1

When: Monday June 1, 7:00 p.m.

Where: Zoom

Town Hall for all five Democratic Court of Appeals candidates: Patricia Shields, Gray Styers, Chris Brook, Reuben Young and Lora Cubbage.

Please register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYpdu2oqzMtGNHehYQjPkhHm8jji__lkYTa

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

State Convention -- June 6

When: Saturday June 6

Where: Zoom

We need to elect At-Large delegates to the Democratic National Convention at this meeting. For details about becoming a Delegate, click here. We will be in touch with details about the Convention when we get them.

NHCDP Town Hall With Council of State Candidates -- June 15

When: Monday June 15, 7:00 p.m.

Where: Zoom

Join us for a Town Hall meeting with four Council of State Candidates. They are Jessica Holmes, candidate for Secretary of Labor, Ronnie Chatterji, candidate for Treasurer, Wayne Goodwin, candidate for Commissioner of Insurance and Jenna Wadsworth, candidate for Secretary of Agriculture.

Please register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYlduqppjssG9IiXFjAU5vjjiJjR2fSXppY

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information about joining the meeting.

Best,

Richard Poole, Chair

News Content by James Cummings

If you have any announcements, comments, questions or concerns regarding this email series, please contact the Editor here.

Paid for by the New Hanover County Democratic Party

Mailing Address:

NHCDP

PO Box 3036

Wilmington, NC 28406

Office Address:

5041 New Centre Drive

Wilmington, NC 28403

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