Final Public Comment Session on Hospital Sale Today at 5 p.m.

Novant Health, a North Carolina not-for-profit health system, has offered to purchase NHRMC from New Hanover County for $1.5 billion. The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners approved the recommendation and the Letter of Intent July 13, allowing a final agreement to be negotiated.

The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing at the County Courthouse, 24 North Third Street, on Monday, September 28 at 5 p.m. to receive final public comments on the plan. Read the full release here. The Commission has scheduled a vote on the sale agreement on October 5th, two weeks earlier that previously planned.

Commissioner Rob Zapple recently published an Op-Ed with a list of ten questions he would like to see answered before a vote on the sale. You can read Commissioner Zapple's questions here.

RiseUp Rally Raises Money; Unifies Democrats

The RiseUp Rally on Saturday Night succeeded in raising money to support Democratic candidates and exceeded our expectations for what we could accomplish in a Zoom call, including videos, music, comedians, a silent auction and much more. It took a small army to make it possible. Of especial note are our co-hosts Donnell Giles and Steve Hamburger and Comedians Wills Maxwell and Cassidy Santaguida. Behind the scenes were Jeff Cohen, Jim Fleagle, Mary Melia, Lani Hashimoto, Rachel Hatfield, Shannon Schaible, Stephanie Fetzer and some Leslie Cohen interns. In addition, Deloris Rhodes led a fundraising team including Carol Kennedy Jenny Callison, Bonnie Nelson and Dennis Dixon. History will reflect that when we asked New Hanover Democrats to RiseUp to meet the unique challenges of this time, they rose up massively.

The money raised will support some special projects in this election year. Starting on September 29th you will see Billboards for our state and local candidates appearing in 8 locations in New Hanover County in heavy rotation through Election Day. We are planning a glossy mailer to 9,500 candidates just before early voting. We have been promoting voting by mail on social media and through peer-to-peer texting. We mailed absentee ballot applications to almost 2000 voters. We have purchased about 10,000 blue ballots and 48,000 blue ballot door hangers. And we are planning to equip 9 early voting sites (a 50% increase!), and to staff them with volunteers.

NHCDP Preparing for One-Stop Early Voting

One-Stop Voting starts in New Hanover County in less than three weeks on October 15 and continues through October 31, according to the county board of elections. Not only does One-Stop Voting allow voters to choose the day they vote, potentially avoiding dangerous long lines, it also allows voters to register and vote on the same day at any of nine locations around the county. Click here for a printable version of our Blue Ballot which contains locations and hours for One-Stop Early Voting Locations.

The New Hanover County Democratic Party is gearing up to support early voting by gathering all the equipment and materials needed to set up voter assistance stations at the early voting sites. They've got the tables, tents, masks, hand sanitizers, banners and blue ballots; now all that's needed are. volunteers. If you're interested in helping out, click here to volunteer. And shhhhh, please don't tell the Republicans

Deb Butler Advocates for Health Care, Public Education in Bid to Stay State Representative

Deb Butler has served as the State Representative to House District 18 since Governor Roy Cooper appointed her to the post in 2017. She easily won reelection in 2018 and is running again this year. Deb has been an attorney and small business owner in downtown Wilmington for over 25 years. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN and a law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law in Winston-Salem, NC. Deb currently serves as part of the leadership team in the NC House serving in one of the Whip positions. She received the International Tammy Baldwin Breakout award as well as Legislator of the Year from the League of Conservation Voters as a freshman.

"I have many legislative goals including the expansion of affordable healthcare to North Carolina's working poor, the reprioritization of, and investment in, our public school system including teachers and staff, and certainly, we need to hold polluters accountable for the damage they have done to our water, our air and our soil," Butler said. "I think folks know I'm a fierce advocate for this region."

Tillis, Other Republicans, Trying to Cast Doubt on November Elections

(From NCDP) Senator Thom Tillis caved to his party’s coordinated attempt to undermine the November election results, irresponsibly casting doubt on North Carolina’s vote by mail system and suggesting that the process will be used to “create civil unrest and questions about whether or not the election was fair.” The comments come just 48 hours after Senator Tillis in a televised debate encouraged “everybody” to do it and said he had faith in the system.

Senator Tillis’ about-face on his principles comes as North Carolina Republicans are seeking to exploit a manufactured controversy at the State Board of Elections after a unanimous vote from Republican and Democratic members in favor of a settlement to expand voting rights. The coordinated stunt from Tillis and state Republicans included a flurry of comments that “align seamlessly” with President Trump's attempts to undermine public confidence in mail-in voting. The two Republican members of the state board of elections quit after agreeing to a set of rule changes designed to make voting by mail easier. See an Associated Press article about the changes here.

An editorial in the Charlotte Observer said GOP leaders aren't really worried about voter fraud, "They're worried about a true vote."

Still Time Left to Vote by Mail

The Board of Elections began mailing absentee ballots earlier this month. It's still not too late to vote by mail. If you do vote by mail, make sure to fill out the ballot and ballot envelope completely, then mail it in or take it to the Board of Elections from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

To Track Your Absentee Ballot, login to BallotTrax here.

To Apply For An Absentee Ballot, login here.

Needed: Poll Greeters and Lit Drop Volunteers

We need Poll Greeters: One of the more successful programs initiated by New Hanover Democrats in recent years is the Blue Ballot program. Blue Ballots are a half page slate card with early voting information on the back, which we print on blue paper on a half page. In previous years we recruited poll greeters who would approach voters and offer a blue ballot. In the middle of the pandemic we expect a more socially distanced role. Instead of approaching voters with literature we recommend that interactions be limited to offering blue ballots from a distance like a carnival barker.

We accomplish a lot with Blue Ballots. It has become common for voters to show up at the polls asking for them. This year Sally Meserole has again agreed to schedule volunteers to staff polling places to distribute Blue Ballots. Sign up here to volunteer to be a Poll Greeter.

Also needed: Lit Drop Volunteers In this unusual election year we are trying to find ways to support Democratic Candidates without risking the health of our volunteers. Traditionally we have told volunteers that the single most effective thing they can do is door to door canvassing. For this year, we think that is too much to ask.

However a literature drop should be safer. The idea is for volunteers to get a list of doors to hit, and to leave literature on each one, without knocking or ringing doorbells. Masks will be worn, of course.

We need volunteers. Several campaigns and Precinct organizations are planning Lit Drops. You can volunteer to drop literature, or to be an organizer, providing walk lists and Lit to volunteers. Click here to volunteer now.

NHCDP Office Now Open Monday Through Saturday, Noon to 2 p.m.

The New Hanover County Democratic Party office at 5401 New Centre Drive, Wilmington will now be staffed on Monday through Saturday from noon to 2:00 p.m. We will use the office primarily for pick up and drop off of yard signs, blue ballots and similar items. We do not anticipate scheduling meetings there. Our office phone number is (910) 805-5703. Please wear a mask and observe social distancing. One visitor at a time in the office.

RECURRING EVENTS

Combined Campaign Virtual Phone Banks for Joe Biden Now Through November 3

When: Every day except Monday.

Where: Join Phone Bank and call from home

Team Joe supporters from Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover, and Pender counties are invited for a virtual phone bank to make phone calls to voters. Training will be provided.

Lit Drop for Leslie Cohen -- Now through October 15

When: Now through October 15

Where: Register here to participate.

Because of the pandemic, volunteers cannot safely canvass voters as in the past. Instead, the Leslie Cohen for New Hanover County Board of Commissioners campaign needs volunteers to help spread Leslie's message across New Hanover County by lit-dropping in neighborhoods. This can be done on the volunteer's schedule at any time of day, since the campaign isn't trying to reach voters face-to-face. Lit-dropping involves dropping off campaign literature at voters’ homes. Safety is the campaign's biggest priority. Volunteers probably won’t have to interact with anyone as they drop off literature, but they will wear a mask just in case and use gloves and/or carry hand sanitizer to use as needed.

Virtual Phone Banks for Adam Ericson -- Wednesdays through October 28

When: Wednesdays from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. through October 28

Where: Join Phone Bank here and call from home

Adam Ericson is running against Republican Ted Davis Jr. for the position of State Representative for District 20.

Virtual Phone Bank for Marcia Morgan -- Thursdays through October 31

When: Thursdays from 4:30 to 8:00 p.m. through October 31

Where: Join Phone Bank here and call from home

The Marcia Morgan campaign to turn the NC House 19th District blue ask volunteers to donate time! Donate your time calling potential voters on behalf of Team Marcia. We provide the training, the script, the names and numbers -- violunteers provide the phone and the willingness to help. Multiple shifts are available.

Virtual Phone Banks for Harper Peterson -- Thursdays through October 29

When: Thursdays from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. through October 28

Where: Join Phone Bank here and call from home

Harper's campaign for State Senate will be hosting a weekly phone bank every Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. through October 28.

NON-RECURRING EVENTS

Final Public Forum on the Sale of NHRMC to Novant Health -- September 28

When: Monday, September 28, 5:00 p.m.

Where: County Courthouse, Room 301, 24 North Third Street, Wilmington. View live on the County Facebook page.

The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners will hold a final public hearing for the community to comment on the Asset Purchase Agreement between New Hanover County, NHRMC and Novant Health. The County Commission will vote on the sale on October 5th, two weeks earlier than previously scheduled.

Vote Counting Begins -- September 29

When: Tuesday, September 29 at 5 p.m.

Where: New Hanover County Board of Elections, 230 Government Center Drive

The Board of Elections will approve and begin opening and scanning absentee ballots. No results will be tabulated or announced until election day. If you are in this group of absentee voters, your vote will be announced on Election Day right after the polls close. If you want to follow the meeting by phone, you can do so at (415) 655-0003, and when prompted, enter the access code, 284184094#.

First Presidential Debate -- September 29

When: Tuesday, September 29, 9:00 to 10:30 p.m.

Where: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.

The debate will be moderated by Chris Wallace of Fox News Sunday. Debates will be available for streaming on C-SPAN and televised on most major news networks.

Supreme Court Town Hall Meeting for Congressional District 7 -- October 1

When: Thursday, October 1, 7:00 p.m.

Where: Zoom meeting. Reservation link here.

Supreme Court candidates Chief Justice Cheri Beasley, Justice Mark Davis, and Judge Lucy Inman will meet in a community town hall for Congressional District 7. Learn more about the candidates and the work of North Carolina’s Supreme Court.

Vice Presidential Debate -- October 7

When: Wednesday, October 7, 9:00 t0 10:30 p.m.

Where: University of Utah, Salt Lake City

The debate will be moderated by USA Today Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page. Debates will be available for streaming on C-SPAN and televised on most major news networks.

Costume Party and Scavenger Hunt with Marcia Morgan -- October 15

When: Thursday, October 15, 7:00 p.m.

Where: Register here.

Help Marcia Morgan celebrate the start of early voting and have a little fun before the presidential debate with a costume party & scavenger hunt with Team Marcia. There will be voting on and awarding prizes for the best costumes in a variety of categories, an at-home scavenger hunt, lessons on how to make a signature cocktail and much more! Sign up now for Marcia's last fundraiser for the 2020 election cycle and join the Team for what will be a fun and memorable evening. Tickets are $25 and sponsorships are available. Proceeds support the candidacy of Maricia Morgan for NC House District 19.

Second Presidential Debate -- October 15

When: Thursday, October 15, 9:00 to 10:30 p.m.

Where: Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, Miami, Florida

The debate will be moderated by C-SPAN political editor Steve Scully. Debates will be available for streaming on C-SPAN and televised on most major news networks.

Third Presidential Debate -- October 22

When: Thursday, October 22, 9:00 t0 10:30 p.m.

Where: Belmont University, Nashville, Tennessee

The debate will be moderated by NBC White House correspondent Kristen Welker. Debates will be available for streaming on C-SPAN and televised on most major news networks.

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

Forward To A Friend

unsubscribe