Happy Thursday, Fellow Democrats!
We are now 54 days away from electing a new President of the United States!
A NOTE FROM THE CHAIR
We have less than two months to bring it home for Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Jim Kennedy, Scot Fretwell and Al Griffiths. As you read this newsletter, you will find multiple opportunities to volunteer. I encourage you to do so!
We are making a difference. You can see it documented in the almost 10,000 new Vote by Mail enrollments since January 2020 bringing up our numbers so much that half of all our 33,000 Democrats are now registered to vote by mail. Your phone banking for Vote by Mail has made a huge difference.
You can see it in the Biden-Harris yard signs that dot our neighborhoods—more Democratic signs than I’ve ever seen! And, the bumper stickers on cars!
And finally, you can see it in people’s hearts. This week, I found a hand written note inside my mailbox. The front was a hand-drawn orange flower on yellow paper. On it was written, "Thank you!” Inside the folded paper, these words were written: "Your courageous political signs give me hope for our nation!" Sincerely, A Neighbor
Chokes me up! I want each of you to know that what you have been doing over these last 9 months is making a difference. If nothing else, we are giving hope. I’ll take hope. Still more, we are working toward fair, honest, decent and compassionate leadership for our country, our state and our county. Let’s keep working — to give hope...and win! Thank you!
Adriana de Kanter
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY VBM UPDATE
We received some terrific news this week regarding our goal of signing Democrats up to vote by mail in Indian River County. 2,181 additional Democrats enrolled in VBM in Indian River County in August. Since January 1, 2020 we have had 9,696 enroll. Our total VBM enrollment as of August 31st is 49.6% of all Democrats, or 16,683. Thank you to all of you who have worked hard to achieve this amazing goal!
YARD SIGNS AND BUMPER STICKERS
Tired of Trump yard signs? Do you live on a well trafficked street? If so, come to our HQ at 2345 14th Avenue, Suite 7 in Vero Beach and purchase a Biden/Harris or I Give A Dem yard sign to display in your yard. Pick up a Democrats of Indian River bumper sticker! We may not outnumber the other party in our county, but we can support our candidates and the Democratic Party!
NOTE: We are currently out of bumper stickers and buttons, but hope to have them available next week.
DEMOCRATIC HEADQUARTERS’ VISITORS
Our office remains closed for inside visits and meetings but Stacey Klim is at the office on Wednesdays and Fridays 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. for visitors to pick up Democratic gear (yard signs, bumper stickers, etc.) and to conduct other essential services. If you come to the office, please knock on the door, social distance, and wear a facemask. Thank you as we continue to look after the safety of our fellow Democrats.
VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH
Our August Volunteer of the Month is Cathy Burack. Cathy is a professor at Brandeis University in Massachusetts but has been working relentlessly from afar and behind the scenes as a data guru. Her devotion and time commitment has been above and beyond. Cathy’s knowledge and expertise of our voter data has helped us achieve our election goals. Thank you so much Cathy, you are truly appreciated!
WAYS TO VOLUNTEER FOR VICTORY
As we get closer to November 3rd, we get busier. We have a great group of regular volunteers, but we need more help! Here are some ways you can help.
Sign Waving
We have 2 upcoming Sign Waving events and we need YOU to show up! We will be wearing masks and social distancing. Signs will be provided, but if you have your own, feel free to bring them. Join us on:
Saturday, September 12th from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the corner of U.S. 1 and Oslo Rd.
Tuesday, September 15th from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the corner of Indian River Blvd. and 17th Street.
We need a strong showing every week so please, attend these sign waving events!
There will also be a sign holding event to Support the Post Office and Democratic Candidates this Saturday, September 12th from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. in Fellsmere on the sidewalk in front of the Fellsmere Post Office. This is not a rally with speeches or group gatherings. Masks and social distancing of 6 feet is mandatory. Please do not park at the post office. Bring your own creative signs to support the post office. Biden signs will be available on loan for the event or to purchase. Vote by mail forms will also be available. Contact [email protected] or 321-205-4079 for more information.
Phone Banking/Texting
Organizer Needed – Friday Night Caravans
We are looking for a dedicated individual who will organize and lead weekly Friday Night Caravans. These car caravans will travel around Indian River County with Democratic and Candidate signage, decorations and flags on their cars. If you are interested in helping to organize these caravans, please email Stacey at [email protected]
Note: These Friday night caravans are in addition to Al Griffiths’ Sunday caravans.
Letters to the Editor
Our local newspaper, TC Palm, accepts letters to the editor from anyone. Wouldn’t you like to see letters from Indian River County residents supporting Biden in the newspaper every day? Well, let’s make it happen! We have 2 more months to share why Biden is the best candidate for the job, so write your letter today! To submit a Letter to the Editor, go to: https://static.tcpalm.com/forms/?wid=q1jkscld1v7h87e
Poll Watchers
This election season is the most important one many of us have had in our lifetime. The safety and security of our voters is imperative. We must ensure that every vote is counted and valid. One way for us to do that, is to have Democratic Poll Watchers in the voting locations. This is a vital volunteer position. Poll Watchers are needed for Election Day (November 3). If you are interested in being a Poll Watcher, there are 2 steps to take.
- Sign up for the training with the Supervisor of Elections by September 28th. See the flyer below for more information.
- Once you sign up for the training, send an email to [email protected] to let them know you signed up. You will also need to submit to us your full name, residential address, phone number and date of birth. This information is required by the State for us to submit the necessary paperwork in coordination with our Voter Protection Team.
NON PARTISAN VOTER REGISTRATION PARADE
On Saturday, September 19th there will be a Register to Vote Caravan in Gifford. Meet at 45th Street and 28th Court (by Gifford Middle School) at 9:30 a.m. for a 10:00 a.m. start. For more information, call Freddie Woolfork at 772-633-3941 for more details.
THANK YOU TO THE VOLUNTEERS WHO HAVE HELPED WITH VOTER OUTREACH!
We are winding down on our efforts to reach special populations via the U.S. Mail. In the last month, 17,000 letters and postcards have been mailed, thanks to volunteers stuffing, labeling and stamping!.
WE HAVE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES!!!
This November not only will you be voting for a new President, but also local Congressional and State seats.
Jim Kennedy is running to unseat Bill Posey. Posey has been in his position for 12 years and it is time for a new member of Congress to represent us. You can learn more about Jim at https://www.kennedyforflorida.com/
Al Griffiths is a candidate for Florida House Seat 54, running against Erin Grall. Learn more about Al at:
https://www.algriffiths4statehouse.com
https://www.facebook.com/YouCanVoteforAl
https://twitter.com/AlGriffiths9
https://www.instagram.com/voteforal/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/3142490962487245/
[email protected]
https://algriffiths4statehouse.wordpress.com
Scott Fretwell, is running against Debbie Mayfield for Florida Senate Seat 17. Learn more about Scot at:
https://www.fretwellforfl.com/contact-us
https://www.facebook.com/fretwellforfl
https://twitter.com/fretwellforfl
https://www.instagram.com/fretwellforfl/
[email protected]
Both Al Griffiths and Scot Fretwell are looking for volunteers for their campaign. If you have time to help these candidates, please reach out to them ASAP.
Please come by our office to pick up FREE yard signs for these candidates!
AL GRIFFITHS CARAVAN
The next Democratic Candidate Caravan organized by Al Griffiths, House Representative 54 Candidate, is slated for Sunday, September 20th at 1 p.m. Decorate your car and drive around town showing your support with fellow Dems! Meet at the Democrats of Indian River County HQ located at 2345 14th Avenue in Downtown Vero Beach.
MONTHLY DEC MEETING
Our next monthly Democratic Executive Committee meeting is Thursday, September 17th at 6 p.m. via Zoom. If you would like to join us for the meeting, please send an email to office@democratsofindianriverorg and we will send you the link to join us.
DEMOCRATIC WOMEN’S CLUB NEWS
Join us on Saturday, September 12th at noon for our virtual luncheon. Local candidates Jim Kennedy, Scott Fretwell, and Al Griffiths will be there to discuss their campaigns and answer questions. If you are not a DWC member and want to attend, email Pat O'Hara at [email protected] to be added to the Zoom invitation.
Caste, by Isabel Wilkerson, will be the topic for the next DWC Book Group meeting on Friday, September 25th at 2 p.m. If you are not a book group member and would like to join the discussion, email [email protected] to be added to the Zoom link distribution.
THIS WEEK WITH JOE BIDEN
- As Americans continue searching for real leadership among a raging pandemic, economic crisis, and civil unrest, Biden for President released new ads: “Fresh Start,” “Sacred,” that paint a sharp contrast between Donald Trump’s America and Joe Biden’s vision for a path forward.
- Today, Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff will travel to Miami, Florida to host community conversations with members and leaders from South Florida. Senator Harris will host a community conversation with leaders from the community to discuss the challenges facing the African American community in South Florida. You can watch HERE.
- Yesterday, Joe Biden traveled to Warren, Michigan to deliver remarks on his plan to ensure the future is Made in America by all of America’s workers. You can watch HERE.
- On Tuesday, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris released a statement on ensuring a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine. In their statement they called on the administration to answer three questions to assure the American people that politics will not play a role in the approval and distribution of a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine.
- On Monday, Labor Day 2020, A number of Labor Day op-eds by Vice President Biden, Senator Harris, and national and local labor leaders published yesterday in national and key local outlets, including Joe Biden and AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and Senator Kamala Harris and AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Elizabeth Shuler in The Detroit News. The Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA), the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE), and the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) came out in support of Joe Biden for President. As reported in the Associated Press, all three unions represent hundreds of thousands of workers nationwide who can be mobilized to support the campaign in battleground states.
- On Sunday, Black elected officials from across Nevada endorsed Joe Biden for President and Kamala Harris for Vice President during a town hall hosted by Attorney General Aaron Ford.
- Friday, Joe Biden delivered remarks in Wilmington, Delaware on the economic crisis that has been worsened by Trump’s failure to get the virus under control. And, Joe stood in stark contrast to President Trump, and spoke about how he would ensure that American heroes [military] will know he has their backs and honors their sacrifice.
- In response to the Atlantic article that revealed President Trump saying Americans who died in war are ‘losers’ and ‘suckers,' Vice President Biden issued a statement saying that he “will ensure that our American heroes know that I will have their back and honor their sacrifice — always.”
That’s all folks. Stay healthy!!!
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