“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."

Donald Trump Doesn't Want You to Vote By Mail

On Wednesday, President Trump threatened to cut federal funding to Michigan and Nevada if they promoted voting by mail. Both states had taken steps to increase voting by mail to reduce public exposure to the coronavirus. 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 repeatedly claimed that voting by mail encouraged voting fraud: “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. As usual, the truth is entirely different. Despite an absentee vote scandal involving Republicans here in North Carolina in 2018, nothing remotely comparable to the fraud Trump described has been documented in modern American politics.

Here's your best response: Apply now for an absentee by mail ballot.

Bipartisan Bill In NCGA Seeks To Make Voting by Mail Easier

As the President digs in on his opposition to voting by mail, state governments across the country, including North Carolina, push toward making voting by mail easier. A bipartisan group in the North Carolina legislature filed a bill to lift some restrictions on voting by mail. 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 (D,HD61)(left), 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%." The Republican sponsors include lame duck New Hanover representative Holly Grange. (R,HD20)

Among the rules relaxed by the bill is the "two witness" requirement. House Bill 1169 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.

These changes are steps in the right direction, and worthy of support. It would be even better if the legislation provided for postage paid envelopes to return absentee ballots, but Republican legislators have expressly rejected this step.

Common Cause asks you to contact your House member this week to ask them to co sponsor House Bill 1169 and to support these commonsense provisions. You can find your member by clicking here. Make sure you choose NC House under “Body.”

If you want to keep up with these fast-moving developments, Common Cause is hosting a Webinar about this bill and related matters on Wednesday May 27 at 5pm. To attend register here.

Republican State Treasurer Hands COVID-19 Contract to Crony

(From NCDP) Last week it was reported that Mako, the company handpicked by State Treasurer Dale Folwell for COVID-19 testing contracts, had falsely claimed that its tests could determine whether an individual was immune. Folwell’s personal connection with the company, particularly with sales representative Grant Fitzgerald, seems to have been a factor in the decision, as he did not speak with other companies before offering Mako the contract. Folwell paid for the tests from the state employees health system, which the Treasurer's office controls. The state subsequently abandoned the effort and developed an alternative plan. You can read more here.

These developments highlight the need for a change in the Treasurer's office. The Democratic candidate, Ronnie Chatterji is appearing at events here on May 26 and June 15. See below.

Volunteers Sought for Ongoing COVID-19 Virtual Phone Bank

Are you worried about 4 more years of failed leadership in our highest elected office? One of our most urgent priorities now is to ensure that Democratic voters are able to vote safely in November.

We may not be able to knock doors, but we can do it virtually! We want to reach out to our fellow Democrats by phone to check-in and ask how they are doing and to help them apply early for an absentee ballot for the Nov. 3 election. We want every possible vote to be counted, and to make that happen we need to start NOW!

We Need:

Phone knockers to call people. All you need is a computer or tablet and a phone in the safety of your own home and on your own schedule!
Data captains to pull lists of those who need help getting their absentee ballot request form.
Fullfilment volunteers to mail or drop request forms at voters’ doors.

Contact your Precinct Chair or email Susanne Werner, [email protected] to get connected to this critical effort. Click here for contact information for your Precinct Chair.

EVENTS

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 26, 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

If you miss Ronnie this time, you can try again on June 15, See below.

Common Cause Webinar On Election Developments -- May 27

When: Tuesday May 27, 5:00 p.m.

Where: Zoom

To attend register here.

Nourish NC Food Drive Drop Off -- May 30 and June 2

When: Saturday, May 30, 9 1o 11 a.m., and Tuesday, June 2, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Where: New Hanover County Democratic Headquarters, 5041 New Center Dr., Wilmington

Since the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Nourish NC’s backpack program has grown from feeding 1,200 kids to 1,670 kids. They are committed to serving all of these kids through the summer, and beyond. The work they do in our community is invaluable and supporting their efforts will help feed our most vulnerable children in New Hanover. Volunteers will be waiting outside Democratic Headquarters with bins to collect donations. Social distancing rules will be observed.

Nourish NC has several staple items that they are having trouble getting from their suppliers. Please add one or more of the following to your next grocery order: macaroni & cheese (single serving or boxes), canned pasta with meat (Chef Boyardee, ect.), pasta sauce and jelly (preferably in plastic jars).

For additional details and to share this information visit: https://electlesliecohen.com/nourish-nc/

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 click here to register in advance for this meeting.

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

State Executive Committee Meeting And State Convention -- June 6

When: SEC Meeting, Saturday June 6, 10:00 a.m.

State Convention, Saturday June 6, 1:00 p.m

Where: Zoom

The 2020 Summer SEC Meeting is on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. – virtual doors open at 9:30AM. SEC Members should make sure to register by clicking here.

The State Convention will be held at 1 p.m. on the same day. We will post a registration link for the Convention when it becomes available.

NHCDP Town Hall With Four 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: Ronnie Chatterji candidate for Treasurer, Wayne Goodwin, candidate for Commissioner of Insurance, Jenna Wadsworth, candidate for Secretary of Agriculture and Jessica Holmes, candidate for Secretary of Labor,

Please click this link to register in advance for this meeting.

You will receive a confirmation email with a link to join the meeting.

NHCDP Town Hall With Josh Stein and Yvonne Holley -- June 22

When: Monday June 22, 7:00 p.m.

Where: Zoom

Virtual Town Hall For Attorney General Josh Stein and Lieutenant Governor candidate Yvonne Holley.

Please register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0uce6uqDwjE9VQzjMz1l8Q9pz-9CjGhCwU

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

Virtual Happy Hour With Board of Elections Chair Tom Pollard -- June 29

When: Monday June 29, 7:00 p.m.

Where: Zoom

Join us for a discussion with New Hanover County Board of Elections Chair Tom Pollard about the Board of Elections' plans for a very challenging election this Fall.

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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