Fayette County TX Democratic Party Newsletter
February 2024
The Primary Election is around the corner (March 5th)…
LET’S DO LUNCH AND MEET THE CANDIDATES
Democratic Neighbors Luncheon - Thursday, February 15th, 11:30 am at La Marina Mexican Restaurant. Our guest speakers will be:
Dr. Raquel Saenz Ortiz, https://drsofortexas.com/ Democrat, Member, State Board of Education, for TX District 10
Maggie Ellis, https://www.maggieforjustice.com/ Democrat, 3rd Court of Appeals, Place 2.
Don't miss this opportunity to connect directly with our speakers, hear their vision for the future, and ask any questions you may have. See you there!
IT’S TIME TO DO YOUR RESEARCH… This newsletter will hopefully make it a bit easier for you to become familiar with the Democratic Party candidates running in the March 5th Primary Election. Don’t forget to add the remaining important dates to your calendar. Still need Vote by Mail information? Scroll down to find answers.
So, who is who on the 2024 March 5th Democratic Party Primary Election Ballot?
The link below contains candidate names and website links to facilitate your research. I hope you will be as impressed as I was as I read through their bios and policy positions. Get out there and VOTE BLUE !!
https://www.fayettetxdemocrats.org/home/news-item/12/
WHAT IS CROSSOVER VOTING AND WHY IS IT HARMFUL TO TEXAS DEMOCRATS AND THE DEMOCRATIC (little “d”) PROCESS?
In 2024, voters will face one of the most consequential elections in our nation’s history. In short, the 2024 election is about preserving our democratic republic and Constitutional government.
As concerned citizens of Fayette County, we write to address the issue of crossover voting. This is where individuals from one political party participate in another party's primary election.
The main purpose of primary elections is to allow party members to select their preferred candidates who represent their values and principles. Crossover voting removes your ability to choose the candidates running for your party. This year, it is critical that you make your voice heard in the 2024 Democratic primary, where there are competitive races on the ballot for U.S. President, U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, Texas Railroad Commissioner, Texas Supreme Court Justices, a range of other Judges, and Texas Board of Education (see the enclosure).
And remember, if you vote in the Republican primary, you are ineligible to vote in a Democratic primary runoff where your vote is essential to ensure your Democratic candidate makes it to the General Election.
There are also negative consequences to the democratic process that can result from crossover voting or deciding not to vote.
No matter which Republican you cross over to vote for, you never get just that one person; you support the package that comes with that candidate. The package consists of that person’s point of view and everything they support: the Republican Party, its members, and other Republican candidates; Republican legislative initiatives like Abbott’s voucher scheme, border wall, voter suppression, and denial of reproductive health care; and promotion of conspiracy theories. Your vote supports the complete Republican package.
Voting in a Republican primary also makes it appear that the Republican voting strength in our county is more than it is and supports the base-building work for the Republican Party.
Boosting Republican primary vote totals also makes it appear there is insufficient Democratic voting base to justify running Democratic candidates or funding them. This discourages local Democrats from running for office – something we must support as we must challenge the Republicans. Why?
When the Republican Party wins without being challenged, it does not have to engage in a battle of ideas, speak to Democratic issues, or represent Democrats. Instead, it fosters Republican extremist ideas.
A one-party grip can only be eased or erased in a competitive two-party system.
All of this is why the primary you choose to vote in matters. Whether or not a Democrat is on the ballot, voting for a Republican candidate is counter-productive to Democrats’ efforts to become competitive.
Though you alone decide for whom to cast your primary vote, we hope you will vote in the Democratic Primary and not cast a crossover vote. Make your choice count in who represents your values!
Respectfully submitted by the Fayette County Democratic Party, County Executive Committee:
Mary Wolf, Fayette County Chair / Judy Balch, Precinct Chair Precinct 301 W, La Grange / David DeLuca, Precinct Chair Precinct 201 E, La Grange / Annette Holdeman, Precinct Chair Precinct 207, Round Top / Kirk Pate, Precinct Chair Precinct 316, Flatonia / Verlia Mosley-Rhodes, Precinct Chair Precinct 423, Holman / Becky Schenker, Precinct Chair, Precinct 101N, La Grange
BLACK HISTORY IS AMERICAN HISTORY
Black History Month provides an opportunity to celebrate the myriad achievements and contributions of Black individuals throughout history, across various fields including science, literature, arts, politics, and sports. Any Google search will reveal a wealth of examples of individual inventors, beloved authors, artists, athletes, scientists and Civil Rights activists who helped make Black history, American history.
I am personally grateful for the contributions by Black musical artists, for example, The Staple Singers. “I’ll Take You There” and “Respect Yourself” earned top billing on the Billboard charts in the early 1970’s. Despite their struggles, Black musicians have continued to create music that transcends boundaries, unites communities, and inspires social change. Their 1970 album “We’ll Get Over” includes a song of the same name, which I have to say makes me smile and helps to sustain my hopes for better days to come. Have a listen, I hope you find encouragement, too.
Check out these resources to learn more:
4 Key Black History Facts That Everyone Should Know
Black History Month - Best Books for Kids
https://www.npr.org/2024/02/01/1226660053/black-history-month-best-books-kids
Black History Month Reading List
https://americanwritersmuseum.org/black-history-month-reading-list/
LET’S PUT A TEAM TOGETHER!
Hey Democrats, mark you calendars for noon on April 20th and let’s put together a relay team to join in the effort to help fund research for the American Cancer Society. The La Grange Relay for Life group will be hosting a relay event at Leopard Stadium. At Relay For Life you'll find community members taking turns walking around a track lined with luminaria bags. You'll have the opportunity to cheer for local survivors (or participate as a survivor) during the first lap of the day. Caregivers of cancer patients (currently or previously diagnosed) will then be invited to join the Survivors. Email fayettetxdemocrats@gmail.com or call 979-484-7925, leave a message and we’ll call you back. Let’s do this!
In case you missed last month’s newsletter….
INFO FOR VOTING BY MAIL… Yes, you will need to 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 23, 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:
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) every year 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 Early Voting Clerk must receive your marked ballot by 7pm on Election Day (or by the 5th day after Election Day if your ballot is submitted from outside of the United State).
Voter Assistance Hotline - Sign up Today to Volunteer to Help!
The Voter Assistance Hotline has officially launched and we have already heard from over 3,000 Texans who need support as they cast their ballots this Spring. We'll talk to thousands more voters who need your help between now and Election Day as they return their mail-ballot applications, find their polling place, and make sure they have the correct I.D. to vote.
If you haven't had a chance to jump on the Hotline yet, now's the time! We give you all the tools you need to be prepared once you've signed up for a shift.
Right now, we really need volunteers for these shifts where you can be a huge help to Texas voters:
We have shifts available all week, so make sure to save your spot!
SIGN UP TO BE A HOTLINE VOLUNTEER
Once you sign up, you'll receive access to our online, on-demand training, helpful FAQs to answer voters' questions, and a Hotline Captain who provides 1:1 support throughout your shift. Sign up today!
Prefer a live training session? Join us for a virtual training on Monday, February 12 at 11am CT or Thursday, February 15 at 12pm CT.
RSVP FOR HOTLINE TRAINING (Click to RSVP)
COMMUNITY CORNER
Want to Learn Spanish? / Free Classes / 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
Send comments, questions, or concerns to: fayettetxdemocrats@gmail.com
Visit our website at: https://www.fayettetxdemocrats.org/
Sigue la lucha! (Hang in there!) - Annette Holdeman, Editor
Great job on the crossover voting info. I’ve shared it to lots of folks and they are also very appreciative.