Welcome to 2024! Let’s get through this year together! For starters, please join us for our monthly Democratic Neighbors Luncheon (See below). Keeping those New Years Resolutions doesn’t have to be a dreary task, they can be fun, as well. Make one of yours to come out and support your Fayette County Democratic Party. Your support and enthusiasm are needed now more than ever as we begin this journey to the General Election in November. It is time to stand strong together to insure we keep the democracy we love. It is unthinkable that we might lose it to Trump and his cult of MAGA followers, to put it politely.
(Note: Primary Election voting info at the bottom portion of this newsletter.)
You’ve heard it from me, but here is Kirk Pate’s take on this critical election year. And thank you Kirk for these wise words.
You are Responsible for Saving Our Democratic Republic
Fayette County residents, Texans, and Americans value our freedom to elect leaders who govern in our name. Multiple grand juries of Americans have indicted the former MAGA President for his criminal conspiracy to defraud, deny, and overthrow the will of the people. Yet MAGA Republicans, enablers, and many voters cheer him on and want to overturn our legal system to allow him to get away with it while they take away our freedoms and rule for the wealthy few.
Words are words if not followed by actions: voting (but not voting in Republican primaries), voting by mail if eligible, volunteering, writing letters to the editor or our elected representatives, joining a movement, networking with like-minded friends, relatives, and acquaintances, and attending rallies. Without action, we risk losing our democratic republic.
We must come together to ensure all involved are held accountable so we can protect our democratic republic, country, families, futures, and our freedoms.
Do you accept responsibility, and are you willing to act?
Fayette County Groundwater Conservation District Board Vacancy
Are you concerned about the use and potential overuse of the aquifers in our county? Maybe you would like to dip your toes into county government in an under-the-radar, non-partisan way? If so, and you live in Fayette County Precinct 1, or know someone who might be interested and does live in Precinct 1, then there is an immediate opportunity for you!
The Precinct 1 representative on the Board of the Fayette County Groundwater Conservation District (FCGCD) recently resigned and the remaining Board is looking for someone to fill that seat until the General Election. This seat is up for election at that time and since the remaining term is short, the Board is looking to appoint a replacement.
They are actively looking to fill this seat so if you are interested, don't wait to put your name in the hat! You can get more information on the FCGCD at HOME | fayettecountygcd (fayettecountygroundwater.com) and if you are interested you should contact the District's General Manager, David Van Dresar at 979-968-3135 or email him at david@fayettecountygroundwater.com.
SAVE THESE DATES…
This Saturday 1/13, 11:00am - CELEBRATING MARTIN LUTHER KING MARCH
Walk from the La Grange Courthouse to the Library for Guest Speakers, songs and praise. Let us all display UNITY IN THE COMMUNITY / Refreshments by the Juneteenth Committee / January 13, 2024 – 11:00 am / Meet at the Courthouse – 151 N Washington / Historical Tour of the N W Faison House after program / For more information: Juneteenthtexas.org
Democratic Neighbors Luncheon / Thursday, January18th, 11:30am / La Marina Mexican Restaurant / 1502 St Hwy 71, La Grange / It’s time to gather again, where like-minded conversation and the margaritas are well appreciated.
A LOOK BACK AT 2023… (Apologies for the “2023 Recap” being too small to read on a mobile screen, even with my iPhone 14, it is a challenge. Holding your phone horizontally to read is at least some improvement, I promise I will work on the problem for next time. Best to read on your computer or tablet. Substack, the publishing platform, doesn’t like graphics so much.)
LOOKING FORWARD…
What’s Next? – Answer: The Texas Primary Election on Tuesday, March 5th. Texas is one of 16 states to hold Primary Elections on Tuesday, March 5th this year, hence the term used by politicians is Super Tuesday, as more than a third of all delegates in the US will be up for grabs. It’s the biggest haul of any single date on the 2024 Primary Election calendar with more than 1/3 of all GOP delegates at stake and that is why Super Tuesday is such a big deal for the Dems.
You can take a look at the names of the Democratic candidates on the 2024 Primary Democratic Ballot, by having a look at our website fayettetxdemocrats.org under Local News or click here: https://www.fayettetxdemocrats.org/home/news-item/12/
GENERAL VOTING INFORMATION
How to Vote in the March 5th, Primary Election?? You can VOTE BY MAIL or VOTE IN PERSON (Early Voting or Election Day Voting, see Schedule below)
Please Note: New Voter Registration Cards were sent out recently which displays your Voting Precinct Number. You may verify your Voting Precinct Location by clicking the link below:
https://www.co.fayette.tx.us/upload/page/1737/2023/2023%20Cont/polling_location_chart_03052024.pdf
FIRST, are you Registered to Vote? The deadline is: Monday, February 5th, 2024. Click here to find out how to Register to Vote in Fayette County: https://www.co.fayette.tx.us/page/fayette.Elections
VOTING BY MAIL… Yes, you will need fill out, sign, and submit a new Application to Vote by Mail (ABBM) to qualify to receive all Vote by Mail Ballots in 2024. Click on this link for how to obtain a ABBM and the follow directions: https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/reqabbm.shtml
If your printer is broken or you just want to request an Application from someone local or have questions, call Teri Hefner, our Elections Administrator at Fayette Co Elections Office at 979-968-6563 and ask that the ABBM be mailed to you. The last day to apply for an ABBM is February 28, 2024.
How do I complete the Mail in Ballot? This helpful link from the League of Women Voters explains the process and may address your more specific questions: https://www.vote411.org/node/7477
When you receive your ballot, be sure to:
Mark your ballot using a black or blue pen,
Place your ballot in the ballot envelope and seal it,
Place the ballot envelope in the carrier envelope,
Complete all information UNDER THE FLAP of the carrier-envelope, including your contact information, your voter ID number, AND the last four digits of your social security number,
Seal it, and Sign your name OVER THE FLAP of the carrier envelope.
Remember you must fill out a new Application to Vote by Mail (ABBM) annually to receive a Ballot. In addition and very important, the Annual Application box in Section 4 must be checked if you wish to be sent Vote by Mail Ballots for all Elections for the year (January to December).
What is the deadline to submit my Ballot? The County Elections Office must receive completed ballots by Election Day. If they’re postmarked by 7 p.m. that day or or by the 5th day after Election Day, if your ballot is submitted from outside of the United States.
VOTING IN PERSON: Voter ID Requirements click here: https://www.votetexas.gov/voting/need-id.html
PRIMARY ELECTIONS - EARLY VOTING (only at Elections Office in La Grange) days/dates and hours at Fayette County Elections Office, Early Voting Room (at back of the building), 275 Ellinger Road, La Grange, TX 78945
· Tuesday, 2/20/2024 through Friday, 2/23, 2024 – 8am-5pm
· Saturday, 2/24/2024 – 7am-7pm
· Sunday, 2/25/2024 – 9am-3pm
· Monday, 2/26/2024 through Friday, 3/1/2024 – 7am-7pm
PRIMARY ELECTIONS - IN PERSON VOTING - You will vote at your Voter Precinct # location, See the Voter Registration Card recently mailed out or call the Elections Office to ask at 979-968-6563. Don’t forget to bring a valid photo ID with you. https://www.votetexas.gov/voting/need-id.html
· Tuesday, 3/5/2024 – 7am-7pm
REMBEMBER voters who vote in the Primary Election usually vote in the General and we will need every last Democrat in our county and in the entire country to amass an overwhelming Biden/Harris turnout in November to beat Trump. Remind all of the Democrats you know to go Vote Blue on March 5th and again on November 5th.
COMMUNITY CORNER
Want to Learn Spanish? / Free Classes w/Roxanne Shell / Smithville Public Library
Beginners - Mondays 1-3pm & 3-5pm / Fridays 10-12pm & 3-5pm
Intermediate - Thursdays 1-3pm / Advanced 3-5pm
Call: 512-575-0018
(This is one New Year’s Resolution you will enjoy keeping!
What to look for in the February Newsletter edition: 1) We hope to have Democratic candidate information for the upcoming Primary Election. 2) Where might the Tx Legislature be headed next, on Vouchers, Immigration, Abortion, Paxton, Guns, Property Taxes? “…lions and tigers and bears..oh my!” It’s going to a year full!
Send comments/questions/concerns/ideas to: fayettetxdemocrats@gmail.com
Sigue la lucha! (The struggle continues!) Hang in there - Annette Holdeman, Editor
Visit our website: fayettetxdemocrats.org
You are so fortunate to have your MLK event tomorrow before the cold front arrives. Ours is on Monday but thankfully they have canceled the outdoor portion. Tambien gracias por mencionar nuestra clase de español.
Great info Annette. Enjoyed the recap of 2023. Special thanks to Kirk for his written piece.