[Tcdp_newsletter] Travis County Democratic Party Weekly E-Newsletter for Friday, December 21, 2007 - Friday, January 4, 2008

Thu Dec 20 16:46:17 CST 2007

Travis County Democratic Party Weekly E-Newsletter 

Friday, December 21, 2007 - Friday, January 4, 2008

Special TCDP Office Hours during candidate filing period

Monday - Friday 8:30pm - 6:00pm

Please check the TCDP calendar on our web site for holiday closings.

http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/calendar.php?month=12
<http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/calendar.php?month=12&year=2007>
&year=2007 

See the latest Democratic filings from the TCDP web site here: 

http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/candidates.php  

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IN THIS ISSUE 

- Message from Chris Elliott, Chair Travis County Democratic Party

- Holiday TCDP Office Hours

- Calling All Potential Candidates: Filing For Office Ends Soon!

- Drawing For Placement On Democratic Primary Ballot

- Precinct Chair Filings Continue!

- Signing Petitions

- TCDP Campaign Kickoff Dinner, January 11, 2008

- March 4, 2008 Primary Workers Needed

- Presidential Campaign Bumper Stickers

- Become a TCDP Sustaining Member

- TCDP Finance Council and Sustaining Members

- Did you know?

- Calendar of Upcoming Events

- In the News 
- Contact Info for TCDP Administrative Office
- Newsletter: How to Subscribe or Unsubscribe Your E-Mail 

- To Subscribers Who Use AOL

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MESSAGE FROM CHRIS ELLIOTT, CHAIR TRAVIS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY

Dear Fellow Democrats:

This is the last newsletter of 2007, so I want to take this time to wish all
of you good Democrats in Travis County a wonderful holiday season and an
even more wonderful 2008.  It's hard to imagine that we are already finished
with 2007, but here we are.  Time marches on and with it we march into a
most important time in the history of this country, the presidential
election year of 2008.  

After the disastrous reign of King George W., this country is desperate for
thoughtful, intelligent, and independent leadership.  Our next president
will be charged with the tremendously difficult tasks of trying to restore
this country's credibility abroad and our federal government's credibility
here at home with the American people.  As I observe and compare the various
campaigns being waged by the Republican and Democratic candidates, the
contrasts are striking.  While the Repubs are accusing each other of things
like having once pardoned a felon while serving as governor or not being
"tough enough on immigrants," the Democrats are debating health care plans
and how to address long range problems like Social Security, Medicare, and
how to resolve the conflict in Iraq.  With polls and some surprising special
election results indicating that the country is in a decidedly "Democratic"
mood, I have high hopes that come 2009, a Democrat will occupy the White
House and there will once again emanate from that historic and symbolic
building rational and thoughtful public policy.  I, for one, am keeping my
fingers crossed.

As for our local campaigns, I want to remind everyone that our 2008 Campaign
Kickoff Dinner is on Friday, January 8 at the UT Alumni Center across from
Royal-Memorial Stadium.  The cutoff date for sponsorships is January 2, so
if you have not signed up to be a sponsor, please do so.  Not only is this
dinner the symbolic beginning of the campaign season here in Travis County,
it is also an important fundraiser for TCDP to help us through the spring
and summer months.  You should have received an invitation in the mail, but
some may have been delayed in delivery by the holiday card rush.  If you are
unable to sponsor, please consider purchasing a general admission ticket and
attending.  This is always a fun event and this year should be no different.
Please contact the TCDP office at 477-7500 if you need more information.    

Again, best wishes for a happy holiday season.  We'll see you next year! 

Democratically yours, 

Chris Elliott

Chair, Travis County Democratic Party

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HOLIDAY TCDP OFFICE HOURS

During the holidays, the TCDP office will hold the following hours:

Monday, December 24

   8:30am - 12:00pm 

Tuesday, December 25

  closed all day

Wednesday, December 26

 12:00pm - 6:00pm

Thursday and Friday, December 27 and 28

   8:30am - 6:00pm

Monday, December 31

  8:30am - 3:00pm

Tuesday, January 1

  closed all day

Wednesday, January 2

  8:30am - 6:00pm

Thursday and Friday, January 3 and 4

 9:00am - 5:00pm (regular office hours)

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CALLING ALL POTENTIAL CANDIDATES: FILING FOR OFFICE ENDS SOON!!!

To become a candidate on the March 4, 2008 Democratic Primary ballot, you
must file in one of two ways: by fee or by petition.  To see a chart of fees
and petition requirements, please click the following link:

http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/candidates/guide/demorrep.shtml

For offices whose districts are wholly contained within Travis County, the
potential candidate must file at the Travis County Democratic Party (TCDP)
office at 1311 E. 6th St.  TCDP has the filing form at the office, and we
can notarize it for you. 

Multi-county district offices, statewide office, or federal office
candidates must file at the Texas Democratic Party (TDP) at 505 W. 12th St.,
Suite 200. 

TCDP Staff: 477-7500 or info at traviscountydemocrats.org

State Party Staff:  478-9800

If you are a candidate and you will file with the TCDP with a petition, the
following are some general guidelines that we strongly suggest:

1.         Please turn in your petition, in its entirety, as early as you
can to the Travis County Democratic Party.  Our staff is required to verify
each signature up to the minimum amount needed for you to become a
candidate.  Turnover to verify a standard petition takes approximately three
days to complete.  Our staff will notify you upon completion of verifying
every signature on your petition for accuracy.  If it is determined that
there are not enough valid signatures before the deadline, we will notify
your office and you may submit more signatures.  However, you run the risk
that our staff may be verifying other candidates petitions and not have
ample time to work further on yours.  If it is determined that there are not
enough valid signatures after the January 2nd deadline, your petition will
not be accepted and in turn, you will not be a candidate on the March
Primary ballot.  

Additionally, if your petition is presented to our office during the final
days before filing ends on Wednesday, January 2nd, 2008, our staff may not
have adequate time to verify all the signatures depending upon how many
others are also filing by petition at that time.  If your petition is found
not to have enough valid signatures after the deadline, then you will not be
a candidate on the March Primary ballot.  Again, TCDP asks that you present
your petition as early as you can.

2.         Due to state law, the TCDP cannot accept a check as a backup to
the petition.  Once a check is presented for filing, the candidate files
with that check.  According to rules set forth by the Texas Secretary of
State, ".if (a candidate) files with a check he or she has filed with a
filing fee and there is no refund provided in the Election Code 'if the
petition is good.'"

3.         Please review the TCDP online web calendar for times around the
holidays that our office will be closed so that you can plan accordingly.
You may view the upcoming months here:
http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/calendar.php?month=12
<http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/calendar.php?month=12&year=2007>
&year=2007 

FILING FOR OFFICE ENDS ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2008 AT 6:00PM!

PLEASE SEE THE HOLIDAY OFFICE HOURS LISTED ABOVE TO KNOW WHEN TCDP WILL BE
OPEN SO YOU CAN PLAN ACCORDINGLY!!!

************************************************************************

DRAWING FOR PLACEMENT ON DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY BALLOT

TIME:  Monday, January 7, 2008 at 6:00pm

PLACE:  Commissioners' Courtroom (Room 120), Grainger Building at 11th and
Guadalupe

Due to state law, TCDP's County Executive Committee (CEC) must hold certain
statutory meetings within specified time frames.  The first of these
meetings will be held on January 7 instead of the customary "Last Wednesday
of the Month."

The purpose of the January 7 statutory meeting is to determine the order of
the names for contested races on the Democratic Primary ballot.  All
candidates running in a contested primary race, or their designated person,
must attend so they may draw for their placement on the ballot.

If candidate cannot attend and will be sending a designated person, please
call the TCDP office at 477-7500 to let us know.

************************************************************************

PRECINCT CHAIR FILINGS CONTINUE! 

Are you interested in becoming a precinct chair?  The position has potential
rewards, such as being in a leadership position that comes with a title and
some visibility, venues for camaraderie, opportunities to influence the
process, to go to county and state conventions or even beyond, and an outlet
for your creativity and energy.  The office of precinct chair is an elected
two-year position for the term 2008 - 2010.

For all current precinct chairs and anyone considering becoming a new
precinct chair, filing in the upcoming March Primary for the office of
Democratic Precinct Chair is ongoing.  Filing ends for all offices on
Wednesday, January 2nd 2008 at 6:00pm.  

If you are planning to run again or run for the first time, you must file
with the TCDP.  We have the form here so you do not need to do anything
before hand.  The process will take a mere 5 - 10 minutes.  TCDP staff
notarizes your form at the time of filing.  There is no fee to file for the
office of precinct chair.

Reminder: All current chairs must re-file every two years if they wish to
continue to hold the office!  

TCDP will accept Precinct Chair filing forms during regular business hours,
8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Monday - Friday.

************************************************************************

SIGNING PETITIONS

By now, you may have run across many candidates who are asking you to sign
their petition so they may have a spot on the primary ballot.  

Please be aware:

1.	Signing a petition of more than one candidate for the same office in
the same election is prohibited by law. (Texas Election Code 141.063,
172.021) 
2.	On signing a petition to be filed by a candidate affiliated with one
party, the signer becomes ineligible to vote in a primary election or
participate in a convention of another political party during the voting
year in which the primary election is held.  A voting year is the 12-month
period beginning January 1 of each year.  (Texas Election Code 1.005(23) and
172.026) 
3.	To prevent violating election law and most importantly, to prevent
your signature from becoming invalid on any and all petitions, please make
note of the office and its particular district number or jurisdiction.  

See the latest Democratic filings from the TCDP web site here: 

http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/candidates.php  

************************************************************************

TCDP BIENNIAL CAMPAIGN KICKOFF DINNER, JANUARY 11, 2008!!!

Friday, January 11, 2008
Private Reception 6:15 - 7:00 p.m.
General Seating Opens at 7:00 p.m.
Dinner and Program Begins at 7:30 p.m. 
University of Texas Etter-Harbin Alumni Center, 2110 San Jacinto Boulevard
All RSVP's for either Sponsorships and/or Dinner Program Ads are due by 6:00
p.m., Wednesday, January 2nd, 2008. 

Travis County Democratic Chairman Chris Elliott and the Travis County
Democratic Party invite you to the TCDP 15th Biennial Campaign Kickoff
Dinner. Join special guests Congressman Lloyd Doggett, Senator Kirk Watson,
visit with other Democrats and meet our terrific slate of candidates as we
kickoff yet another successful campaign season.

General Admission = $70
TCDP Sustaining Members = $50
TCDP Finance Council Members = Free Admission

Checks should be make payable to: Travis County Democratic Party
Please mail to: TCDP, Post Office Box 684263 Austin, TX 78768

If paying by credit card you may do so online. Please go to
www.traviscountydemocrats.org <http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/>  and
click on 'donations' from the blue menu on the left-hand side of the
homepage. Type in 'Campaign Kickoff Dinner' in the comments box of the
donate form.

Or you may FAX info to: 477 - 7769.

Sponsor Levels:

HOST $2,000
- Table reserved in your name for ten (10) guests
- Six (6) tickets to the Private Reception
- Complimentary full page ad in dinner program
- Prominent listing on event sponsor board 

PATRON $1,250
- Table reserved in your name for ten (10) guests
- Four (4) tickets to the Private Reception
- Complimentary half page ad in dinner program
- Prominent listing on event sponsor board 

FRIEND $750
- One half table reserved in your name for five (5) guests
- Listing on event sponsor board and in dinner program 

SUPPORTER $300
- Reserved dinner seating for two (2) guests
- Listing on event sponsor board and in dinner program 

Dinner Program Advertisement Rates: 

Full Page 8" across x 10" down -- $495
Half Page 8" across x 5" down or 4" across x 10" down -- $310
Quarter Page 4" across x 5" down or 8" across x 2.5" down -- $215
Eighth Page 4" across x 2.5" down -- $145 

PLEASE NOTE: All ads will be in black and white and the advertiser is
responsible for designing their own ad. 

Ads must be in press ready pdf format.
Ads must be submitted to TCDP in electronic form by close of business on
Wednesday, January 2, 2008.
Send your ad to info at traviscountydemocrats.org. 

Checks should be make payable to: Travis County Democratic Party
Please mail to: TCDP, Post Office Box 684263 Austin, TX 78768

If paying by credit card you may do so online. Please go to
www.traviscountydemocrats.org <http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/>  and
click on 'donations' from the blue menu on the left-hand side of the
homepage. Type in 'Campaign Kickoff Dinner' in the comments box of the
donate form.

Or you may FAX info to: 477 - 7769.

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MARCH 4, 2008 DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY WORKERS NEEDED

The TCDP works with Travis County Elections to secure election workers for
all Primary elections, and currently we are recruiting Democrats to work at
polling locations for the March 4, 2008 Democratic Primary.  Every precinct
must have a Democratic presiding judge, alternate judge, and at least one
clerk (the number of clerks are dependent upon a formula set forth by the
office of the Texas Secretary of State and will be determined at a later
date).  Every effort will be made to place you in your home precinct or as
close to your home as possible.  The sooner you contact our office, the
better the selection of precincts you have from which to choose.  Judges
must work all day (with breaks), but clerks may work part of the day.

If you are chosen by the TCDP to be a presiding judge, you may choose a
Democratic alternate judge and clerk to work with you if the positions have
not already been taken.  Please provide the names and contact information of
your workers to the TCDP, so we may forward that information to Travis
County Elections Division.

Please review the following items:

1.	Though the Primary Election is partisan, it is important that you
work cordially with your Republican counterpart.
2.	If you are a presiding judge, one of the duties will be to
physically set up the voting machines.  They are bulky and may be somewhat
heavy for some folks to handle.  However, alternate judges and clerks can
and should help set these up.
3.	The integrity of the election process is of the utmost importance,
so you must be reliable and dependable in making sure you have everything
for your polling location; that everything is ready to go and is operational
by 7:00am when the polls open; and when your polling location closes, that
you return all materials to your designated receiving station in a timely
manner before you go home or attend any Party function or event (e.g.
precinct conventions).
4.	Travis County Elections requires attendance for training for all
presiding and alternate judges, regardless if you have been trained in the
past.  Training will be offered for clerks.
5.	Pay for the primary is set by the Texas Secretary of State.  The
hourly rate for the 2008 Primary for presiding and alternate judges is set
at $7.00/hour, and it includes the hour before polls open and up to two
hours after polls close.  Clerks also are paid $7.00/hour if they attend
training.  Otherwise, the pay is $5.85/hour.  

To let us know of your intent to work or for any questions you may have,
please contact TCDP Asst. Director Garry Brown at
garry at traviscountydemocrats.org. 

************************************************************************

PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN BUMPER STICKERS

Travis County Democratic Party now has bumper stickers from a few of the
presidential campaigns.  We have the following:

Hillary Clinton

John Edwards

Barack Obama

Bill Richardson

TCDP asks for a $2 donation for each bumper sticker.  Get yours now!

*********************************************************************** 
BECOME A TCDP SUSTAINING MEMBER!

Since 2004, seven Republican-held offices within Travis County have switched
to Democrats, and now, there are only four Republicans left and one of those
was just appointed by Rick Perry last September!  As you can see, the TCDP
has stepped up to make Travis County even more Democratic!

Sustaining members are our lifeblood.  They are the reason that we are open
year-round (one of the five county parties in Texas), have two staff
members, and our work has been so successful.  We do not receive any funds
from the national or state parties!  

Stand with us and other Travis County residents and support TCDP by becoming
a Member.  We have two levels of membership:

Sustaining:  minimum of $10.00 per month or $120.00 annually. 

Finance Council:  minimum of $84.00 per month or $1000.00 annually.  Members
at this level receive prominent listing in our publications and web site as
well as at Travis County Democratic Party functions along with free
admission to TCDP sponsored events. 

The Travis County Democratic Party is dependent on your generosity for
everything we do!

To join the Travis County Democratic Party go online to:
<http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/> http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org
and click on "Donate" in the red box at the bottom left of the page.  Or
contact us at info at traviscountydemocrats.org or 512-477-7500.       

Mailed donations for the Party should be made out to "Travis County
Democratic Party" and sent to: 

TCDP

P.O. Box 684263 
Austin, TX 78768-4263

*********************************************************************** 
TCDP FINANCE COUNCIL AND SUSTAINING MEMBERS

Member Updates for the week of December 14 - December 20, 2007

Finance Council Renewal

State Representative Elliott Naishtat

New Finance Council Member

Bree Buchanan

Sustaining Member Renewal

Coke Dilworth

New Sustaining Members

Missy Bledsoe

Amy Meredith

Thank you!!!

For a full list of member names, please visit the home page of our website
and choose from the blue menu on the left hand side of the page.

If you feel your name should be on the web list yet do not see it, give us a
ring:  477-7500

*********************************************************************** 
DID YOU KNOW?

The Travis County Democratic Party has two other email lists: Activism and
Events.  These lists are used occasionally for folks who want to know more
about action items and particular events respectively.

You may sign up for these lists at the following link:
http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/newsletter.php 

*************************************************************************

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS

The TCDP Calendar changes almost daily as we receive new information, so we
encourage you to check the calendar often.  Go to:
http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/calendar.php       

************************************

Saturday, December 22, 2007

YellerDawg/Saturday Sages Democrats Meeting
TIME:  Saturday, December 22, 2007 at 11:00am
PLACE:  Tres Amigos Restaurant, 1801 S. Capitol of Texas Hwy

CONTACT:  Bill McAfee at bmcafee at austin.rr.com 

You are invited to join the YellerDawg/Saturday Sages Democrats for their
weekly meeting.  

**************************

Monday, December 24, 2007

TCDP Office Hours will be 8:30am - 12:00pm. 

**************************

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

TCDP Office is closed in observance of Christmas.

**************************
Wednesday, December 26, 2007

TCDP office is open 12:00pm - 6:00pm

************************************

Saturday, December 29, 2007

YellerDawg/Saturday Sages Democrats Meeting
TIME:  Saturday, December 29, 2007 at 11:00am
PLACE:  Tres Amigos Restaurant, 1801 S. Capitol of Texas Hwy

CONTACT:  Bill McAfee at bmcafee at austin.rr.com 

You are invited to join the YellerDawg/Saturday Sages Democrats for their
weekly meeting. 

**************************

Monday, December 31, 2007

TCDP Office Hours will be 8:30am - 3:00pm. 

**************************

Tuesday, January 1, 2008- HAPPY 2008!

TCDP Office is closed in observance of New Year's Day.

**************************
Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Last Day to File for Place on Ballot 

TIME:  Wednesday, January 2, 2008 at 8:30pm-6:00pm

PLACE:  TCDP Office, 1311 E. 6th St.

CONTACT:  TCDP at 477-7500 or info at traviscountydemocrats.org 

Filing for all Travis County candidates is at The Travis County Democratic
Party headquarters which is located at 1311 East 6th Street. This is
approximately 6 blocks east of I-35 on the south side of E. 6th between
Attayac and Navasota Streets.

**************************
Thursday, January 3, 2008

Capital City Young Democrats Meeting 

TIME:  Thursday, January 3, 2008 at 6:00pm Meet and Greet, 6:15 Candidates
speak, Meeting starts immediately after
PLACE:  AFL-CIO Building, 1106 Lavaca

CONTACT:  Kim Hokanson at kimberlyhokanson at gmail.com 

You are invited to the monthly meeting of the Capital City Young Democrats.

This will be a very important meeting - They will start accepting
memberships officially, and if anyone wants to vote in the Endorsement
Election, they need to become a member in January! They will also be
nominating officers, adopting their constitution, and discussing the
upcoming Candidates' Forum. State Rep. Donna Howard may be speaking, too! 

Democracy for Texas Meeting 

TIME:  Thursday, January 3, 2008 at 6:00pm
PLACE:  Scholz's, 1607 San Jacinto

CONTACT:  Fran Vincent at fran at democracyfortexas.org 

Please join DFT for an Iowa caucus watch party and Nolan Treadway from
Netroots Nation will be there to talk about next July's event in Austin.

************************************************************************ 
IN THE NEWS 

For up to date political news and commentary, please go to our web site at
<http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/> www.traviscountydemocrats.org and
click on "Current News" 

************************************************************************ 
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR TCDP ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

Travis County Democratic Party Administrative Office

1311 East 6th Street, Austin, TX  78702

Web:   <http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/> www.traviscountydemocrats.org

E-mail:  info at traviscountydemocrats.org                 

Chris Elliott - Chair 

chair at traviscountydemocrats.org                

Elizabeth Yevich - Executive Director 

elizabeth at traviscountydemocrats.org                 

Garry Brown - Assistant Director 

garry at traviscountydemocrats.org                 

Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 

Ph (512) 477-7500   Fax (512) 477-7769

MAILING ADDRESS: 
P.O. Box 684263 
Austin, TX 78768-4263 

*********************************************************************** 
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send an e-mail to: 

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****************************** 
This e-mail service is paid for by the Travis County Democratic Party, 
P.O. Box 684263, Austin, TX 78768-4263

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