Because This Is America!

Weekly News, Updates, and Events

We As Democrats Believe:

“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty."

-- John F. Kennedy

 

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NEWS






As Trump Rails Against It, America Moves Toward Voting by Mail

 


As the President digs in on his opposition to voting by mail, state governments across the country, including here is North Carolina, push toward making voting by mail easier. A bipartisan group in the North Carolina legislature  last week introduced proposals to lift some restrictions on absentee ballot voting, according to the News & Observer. State officials are expecting a massive increase in people wanting to vote by mail in November, the News & Observer said.The legislature wants to make sure that goes smoothly, said Rep. Pricey Harrison, who has co-sponsored a new elections bill along with one fellow Democrat and two Republicans. Usually, Harrison said, fewer than 5% of North Carolina voters choose to vote by mail — but for 2020, “they’re expecting a surge of up to 40%.”

 

People who vote by mail now have to find two people to serve as witnesses while they vote. But the bill filed Friday would drop that requirement to just one witness. Voters are currently not allowed to request absentee ballots by email or fax, but this bill would lift those restrictions. It would also create a new tracking system, akin to what some retailers or pizza delivery companies have, to let voters ensure that their ballots make it through the mail and to the board of elections. And if there are problems with a ballot, the bill would create a new requirement for the state to notify the voter and let them fix it.

 

Meanwhile last week, President Donald Trump threatened to cut federal funding to states who promoted voting by mail, though he apparently has no authority to make such a move. Even as the President has offered support for some groups of absentee voters like older Americans and military serving abroad — and even as he votes absentee himself — Trump has regularly warned with no factual basis that allowing widespread voting by mail was a recipe for election theft. “You get thousands and thousands of people sitting in somebody’s living room, signing ballots all over the place,” Trump said at a White House briefing last month. Despite ballot stuffing scandals in the nation’s past, and an absentee vote scandal involving Republicans here in North Carolina in 2018, nothing remotely comparable has been documented in modern American politics or linked to voting by mail.

 

We need to keep up the pressure with letters to editor and communications with legislators!

 

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.




 

Republican State Treasurer Hands COVID-19 Contract to GOP Donor

 

(From NCDP) Last week it was reported that Mako, the company handpicked by State Treasurer Dale Folwell for government testing contracts, had inaccurately described tens of thousands of its own COVID-19 tests. Folwell’s personal connection with the company, particularly with sales representative Grant Fitzgerald, seems to have been a factor in the irresponsible decision, as he did not speak with other companies before offering Mako the contract. While this kind of irresponsibility amid a global pandemic is stunning, it’s not out of character for Folwell.

 


Starting in 2013, Folwell made it his mission to slash the state’s Unemployment Insurance benefits to among the lowest levels in the country. 

In 2017, Folwell was careless with the state pension fund. Poor decisions lead to the state losing out on $175 million in gains and long term choices could cost the state about $350 million a year.

In 2019, Folwell’s proposed changes would have caused some State Health Plan members, including teachers and state employees, to lose in-network access to providers.

This past March, after the Governor issued guidance that those experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should distance themselves, Folwell went into his office even though he himself was experiencing symptoms after traveling out of state. He seemingly infected several of his colleagues and potentially others.


Folwell indicated he chose Mako for the testing contract after seeing Grant Fitzgerald, a sales representative for the company, at a Rotary Club gathering. The Fitzgerald family has a strong political voice, Tami Fitzgerald(Grant’s mother) leads a group that opposes abortion and gay marriage. 

A long-time partisan legislator, since becoming State Treasurer Folwell has been making decisions on ideology and personal ties fits right in with Folwell’s history of reckless and irresponsible choices, putting the health and safety of millions of North Carolinians at risk.

 


Burr Scandal May Hurt Already Struggling Tillis

 


(From NCDP) Local North Carolina Republican Party officials are increasingly raising the alarm that Senator Richard Burr’s pandemic profiteering could hurt his best friend Senator Thom Tillis, warning that the “cloud of scandal around his counterpart could make the headwinds facing Tillis even stiffer as he seeks re-election,” according to a new report.

 

After all, spineless senator Thom Tillis and pandemic profiteer Richard Burr have a close, special relationship - so close they even have nicknames for each other. Senator Burr isn’t just any other Senator to Thom Tillis - he’s “Pappy.” To Burr, it’s “a pleasure to work with my friend Skippy every day.”

One county party official warned the scandal is going to “draw extra criticism and scrutiny” on Tillis, noting that, “It don't matter which party you are, but anytime somebody is being under investigation it is going to fallout with everybody that they're associated with.”


 

 

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.


 

 


 

 

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:
[link removed]

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):  [link removed]

 

Or just join the Zoom meeting here:  [link removed]

 


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: [link removed]

 

 

 

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: [link removed]

 

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:

[link removed]

 

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:  

[link removed]

 

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.


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| Paid for by the New Hanover County Democratic Party |
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Mailing Address: 

NHCDP

PO Box 3036

Wilmington, NC 28406 

 

Office Address:

5041 New Centre Drive

Wilmington, NC 28403

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