In This Newsletter:

Fresno to Waste Millions on Conspiracy Voter Audit?

Writers Alliance on Letters to the Editor

House Impeachment Manager to Speak at Democratic Event

California Democratic Party Response to Biden Speech

Apply to Serve on Board of Supervisors Redistricting Commission

California to Lose Rep due to House of Representatives Cap

In Memory of George Floyd

Orange Tier Guide to Fresno

Democratic Party Website and HQ

Fresno to Waste Millions on Conspiracy Voter Audit?

The Fresno County Board of Supervisors has tasked the Registrar of Voters to “re-instill faith with all of Fresno County voters.” This appears to mean enabling right-wing conspiracy theories about the legitimacy of the 2020 election by spending large amounts of our money to fight a problem that does not actually exist.
Despite holding the 2020 election under the unprecedented pressure of the height of the coronavirus pandemic, voter fraud was virtually nonexistent anywhere in the county. Counter to the Republican narrative, those few statistically insignificant incidents that have been found, on average, appear to have benefited conservatives.
There are almost no cases of election concern in Fresno County, save for the Fresno Republican Party briefly putting out invalid vote collection boxes. However, many conservative members of the Fresno public continue to repeat unfounded accusations about voter fraud.
So how do you reinstill confidence in someone who holds a belief divorced from reality? How do you convince someone you have fixed a problem that never actually existed? Evidently by spending a great deal of taxpayer money toward no useful end.
The Fresno Bee reported that the proposed expenditures could amount to $4 million. Door-to-door canvassing to re-check voter registration would cost millions and be unlikely to produce significant results as anyone who has tried to go door-to-door for anything could predict.
Both these measures have been proposed by Supervisor Steve Brandau (R–District 2), whereas Supervisor Nathan Magsig (R–District 5) wishes to hire a third party to audit the Fresno County Registrar of Voters’ yet-unplanned effort to educate the portion of the public that has fallen for these conspiracy theories.

Writers Alliance on Letters to the Editor

There is a lot of misinformation in social media and local newspapers. A collaborative team based in Placer and El Dorado counties has formed the Writers Alliance to have their voices heard loud and clear. A supportive group of writers can make a difference.
While there’s no magic formula, published letters share common characteristics. Become familiar with the guidelines to structure an effective letter.

Thursday, May 6
Writing Effective Letters to the Editor
6:30 p.m.–8 p.m.

Thursday, May 20
Putting Our Talents to Work: Building a Writers Alliance
6:30 p.m.–8 p.m.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81358859980?pwd=ZG10d1pOdlZyWGRLQkUrdSt2bEh3QT09

The Writers Alliance is a collective of talents—writers, researchers, editors and publicists. In what role or roles do you see yourself?

House Impeachment Manager
to Speak at Democratic Event

The Fresno County Democratic Party is hosting a special event on Tuesday, May 11, at 5 p.m., with Rep. Stacey Plaskett (D–Virgin Islands). You might recognize Rep. Plaskett from her compelling work as a House manager for the second impeachment trial of Donald Trump. As a former prosecutor from the Bronx, she has continued to speak out on current issues and is a rising Democratic star.
Rep. Plaskett is the keynote speaker for this year’s unique, Zoom only, Fresno County Democratic Party fundraiser. Also on the program are Rep. Jim Costa (D–Fresno) and Mistress of Ceremonies Amanda Renteria, who was the national political director for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 Presidential campaign and a past candidate for Congressional District 21.
This outstanding event will provide “behind the curtain” insight into current and recent events (can you say Insurrection?). You’ll regret missing this event.
Just as important, the proceeds of this event will support the Fresno County Democratic Party. The local Democratic Party presence has been crucial for Democratic gains in legislative bodies throughout the county.
As you know, the local party is completely self-supporting and depends on the generosity of local Democrats to support our many essential activities. Without your help, we could not maintain our HQ or do any of the things we need to do in the coming year.

We hope that you will participate in this event. For tickets, visit

https://secure.actblue.com/donate/fresnodems-5-11-2021.

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California Democratic Party
Response to Biden Speech

California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks issued the following statement on President Joe Biden’s first address to Congress:
Just a few months ago, we elected a president who leads with empathy, decency and the profound belief in all of us. We elected a President who called upon the best in all of us. With that came the courage to measure ourselves not by the fear we’ve endured over the past year but the hope that we’ve restored within the last 100 days.
When President Biden took office, he promised the American people that help was on the way. Now, 100 days into his administration, Biden and Democrats have delivered on that promise. In his first 100 days, President Biden immediately acted to get America back on track. And on this road to recovery, he re-envisioned a democracy that could withstand the crisis that faces our nation.
Together, Democratic leaders worked to deliver real, tangible results by vaccinating 200 million Americans, rebuilding a better, fairer and stronger economy, providing direct relief to help working families, and reinvesting in our future by reducing child poverty.
Through the American Rescue Plan, the American Jobs Plan and the American Families Plan, Democrats have made it clear that by standing together we can build an America that works for all of us.

Apply to Serve on the Board of Supervisors Redistricting Commission

Fresno County residents interested in serving on the Advisory Redistricting Commission for the Board of Supervisors are invited to submit their applications prior to the deadline of May 14.
Every 10 years, local governments use new data from the Census to redraw their district lines to reflect how local populations have changed. This year, the County formed an 11-person Advisory Commission to recommend boundary changes for supervisorial districts to the Board for possible modification and adoption.
“This Advisory Redistricting Commission will play an important role in representing our diverse community during the process of redrawing our district lines,” said Steve Brandau, chair of the Board of Supervisors.
“The 2020 Census data will show how our population has changed since 2010, and it’s important that our district boundaries be evaluated and adjusted if needed to account for those changes.”
Members of the Fresno County community are invited to participate in the decennial redistricting process to make sure district lines respect neighborhoods, history and geographical elements.
Each commissioner selected to serve the County of Fresno must be a resident of the county. To see a full list of commissioner qualifications, read the resolution adopting an Advisory Redistricting Commission.
With the redistricting process moving forward, the County has launched a dedicated redistricting webpage, which will include details on future public hearings, mapping opportunities, FAQs and more.

California to Lose Rep Due to
House of Representatives Cap

The U.S. design ensures that, in our republic, often land votes more than people. The Senate was designed from the beginning to grant much more power to residents of tiny states such as Rhode Island than to population centers such as the state of New York. As the country has grown, the Senate has become more rural dominated, and that has created an inherent structural advantage for conservative policies regardless of majority opinion in the country.
The House of Representatives was meant to inject democracy to counterbalance the Senate's confederate nature, with votes there being apportioned by population rather than arbitrary state border lines. However, in 1929 the House Apportionment act capped membership at 435 members, regardless of population growth. This set a fuse alight to slowly burn away the House’ democratic stature.
Apportionment also affects the Presidency as the Electoral College is based on the sum of Senate and House seats. Razor-edge victories in low population states outweigh huge swings in big states. There are three states with more senators than House representatives, and all are controlled by Republicans.
After the 2020 Census, California is set to lose one Congressional seat even though the state’s population has grown since the last Census. Because smaller states have grown by a greater percentage, California voters will now see their power further diluted. California already had one representative per 745,000 people, whereas Wyoming has one representative for 578,000. Now the imbalance is getting much worse.

In Memory of George Floyd

Eight minutes and 46 seconds.
For eight long minutes, George Floyd cried out for his mother before Derek Chauvin took his life without mercy, justice, or dignity.
Since then, our nation has experienced a racial reckoning. The recent jury decision was a step toward a more just future.
Yet, CADEM recognizes that there is still much more work to be done.
We have to do better. We must do better.
Now is the time to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. In memory of George Floyd: stand up, speak out and take action.
It is incumbent upon all of us to fight against the deep-seated prejudice, discrimination and structural racism that has long plagued our country.
For as long as Black people cannot breathe, we cannot and will not stop fighting to lift up Black voices.

In Solidarity,
California Democratic Party

Democratic Party Website and HQ

The Fresno County Democratic Party website is the best place to get regular updates on upcoming events in the area, as well as information on ways to get involved. There is also information on scheduled meetings from the dozens of associated clubs across Fresno County.

https://fresnocountydemocrats.org/

The Democratic Party HQ (1033 U St.) is open 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Monday–Friday. Call 559-495-0606 or e-mail [email protected] for information or to volunteer.

Support your local Democratic Party by attending the fundraiser event on May 11, or making a donation via ActBlue or by mailing a check to Fresno County Democratic Party, P.O. Box 5795, Fresno, CA 93755.

Our newsletter is prepared by Francis Horan.

Democratic Party Headquarters: 1033 U Street, Fresno, CA 93721

[email protected]
559-495-0606

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1033 U Street, Fresno, CA 93721. Not authorized by any candidate or committee.

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Fresno County Democratic Party · 1033 U Street · Fresno, CA 93721 · USA