[Tcdp_newsletter] Travis County Democratic Party Weekly E-Newsletter for Friday, September 28 - Friday, October 5, 2007

Thu Sep 27 17:53:56 CDT 2007

Travis County Democratic Party Weekly E-Newsletter 

Friday, September 28 - Friday, October 5, 2007

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IN THIS ISSUE 

- Senate District 14 Training: How to Become a Delegate 

- Precinct Chair Filings Begin Thursday, October 4

- Upcoming Primary: Important Dates

- Attention All Potential Candidates

- Can You Work 3-5 Elections Over the Next Year?

- Become a TCDP Sustaining Member

- 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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SENATE DISTRICT 14 TRAINING: HOW TO BECOME A DELEGATE TO THE STATE AND NATIONAL CONVENTIONS, WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 3rd

In a presidential election year, there is more competition to get a delegate spot, particularly in SD 14, where we always fill our roster - and then some.  If you are thinking about being a delegate to the State Convention you might be interested in learning what it involves.

Maybe you're thinking about taking it one step further and running as a delegate to the national convention.  Or perhaps you know people who are new to the process and just don't have any idea where to begin.  

Under the terms of the Texas Democratic Party's delegate selection plan, as approved by the Democratic National Committee, each Senate District is holding delegate selection training.  This is it!

Our training will be held in conjunction with Democracy for Texas at its October meetup.  It will be conducted by us, as your SD 14 representatives to the State Democratic Executive Committee, and Glen Maxey, who has been a delegate to 9 national conventions.  If anyone can tell you how to get there, it's Glen!

When:              Wednesday, October 3, 7:00 pm

Where:             Scholz Garten, 1607 San Jacinto

We hope to see you October 3 -- and bring your friends!

Rich Bailey and Fran Vincent

SD14 SDEC Committeeman and Committeewoman

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PRECINCT CHAIR FILINGS BEGIN THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4th 

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 only begins this Thursday, October 4th 2007; for all other offices, filing does not begin until December 3rd Filing ends for all offices on Wednesday, January 2nd 2008.  The office of precinct chair is an elected two-year position for the term 2008 - 2010.

If you are planning to run again or run for the first time, you must file with the TCDP.  We will have the form here so you do not need to do anything before hand.  The process will take no more than 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!  

TCDP will accept filing forms during regular business hours, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday but we would ask that you call first just to make sure that either Elizabeth or Garry are in: 477-7500.  Thank you!

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UPCOMING PRIMARY:  IMPORTANT DATES

The primary filing dates are now official.  In addition, the TCDP has recently signed venue contracts for both our biennial Campaign Kick-Off Dinner (formerly known as The Filing Day Dinner) and the March County Convention so please mark your calendar!

Filing for all who intend to run in the Democratic Primary as a Travis County candidate is at The Travis County Democratic Party headquarters located at 1311-B East 6th Street.  Our office is approximately six blocks east of I-35 on the south side of E. 6th between Attayac and Navasota Streets.  For the December/January filing period, office hours will be 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

First day to file FOR PRECINCT CHAIRS ONLY. 

(Precinct Chair filing begins 60 days in advance of regular filing):  

Thursday, October 4, 2007, 9:00 - 5:00 p.m. 

First Day to File for Place on Ballot 

Monday, December 3, 2007, 8:30 - 6:00 p.m. 

Last Day to File for Place on Ballot 

Wednesday, January 2, 2008. 8:30 - 6:00 p.m. 

TCDP's Biennial Campaign Kick-Off Dinner

Friday, January 11, 2008

VIP Reception 5:30pm - 6:15pm
General Seating Opens at 6:15pm
Program Begins at 7:00pm 
University of Texas Etter-Harbin Alumni Center
2110 San Jacinto Boulevard

Primary Election Day

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Polls open: 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Democratic Precinct Conventions

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

To begin at 7:15 p.m. or upon precinct polling location closing

TCDP's County Convention 

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Convention sign-in begins at 9:00 a.m.
Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Road

All these dates and more are posted on our online calendar.  At the top of the calendar click on 'Next Month' to keep advancing: http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/calendar.php

For more information on filing, call the TCDP at 477-7500 or info at traviscountydemocrats.org

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ATTENTION ALL POTENTIAL CANDIDATES

As the 2008 March Primary draws closer, the TCDP asks that all who anticipate filing for office during the official filing period next December call or e-mail the TCDP with your current contact info to include campaign mailing address, e-mail, phone number(s), web address, campaign manager, etc.  The Party office has already begun receiving calls from local Dem Clubs and Organizations who would like to add candidate names to their contact lists and we would like to be able to assist these organizations with as complete a list as possible.  But we cannot provide correct information if we have not first been notified of your intent to run being provided updated contact information.  

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

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CAN YOU WORK 3-5 ELECTIONS OVER THE NEXT YEAR?

The most important item at the TCDP right now is to submit a comprehensive list of term-appointed Presiding Judges (a.k.a. Election Judges, the folks who work at your polling locations on Election Day) for a one-year term, August 1, 2007 - July 31, 2008.  There will be approximately 3-5 elections during this one year term depending upon where you live and whether there will be any run-off elections.  

You must live in the precinct in which you work and you will be asked to work every election that is determined for your precinct.  This means working the March party primary yet also includes elections for city council, independent school district boards, Austin Community College board, bond and state constitutional elections, etc.  In short, you will represent the Travis County Democratic Party at party primaries, but you are expected to work, if possible, each and every election.  Pay for the primary is set by the Texas Secretary of State.  Currently the hourly rate for the 2008 Primary is $7.00/hour.  All other election pay is $10/hour for presiding/alternate judges.

TCDP is now putting together a supplemental term-appointed list that can be submitted to the County Commissioners' no later than October because of the state constitutional election on November 6, 2007.   We currently have 78 positions filled but we need 215 total.  In other words, we are at 36% of having these spots filled but we would certainly like to achieve over 50% if not 100%.  

And here is another reason to keep in mind why we need folks to sign up to be a Presiding Judge:

If we do not find people to work these polling locations and the county election folks have to help us recruit judges, the TCDP will be charged a hefty fee.  For the 2006 Primary, the TCDP was charged more for this service than the Travis County Republican Party.  We simply do not want that to happen again.  We are sure that you would agree that the TCDP should spend more of its money reaching Democratic voters than recruiting judges during January and February of next year!

Election Judges are needed in the following precincts:

100's

105  106  107  111  112  113  123  132  137  140  141  145  153  154  156  161  163  164

200's

200  201  202  203  204  205  206  209  211  215  216  218  219  220  225  227  228  229  231  232  235  237  240  241  242  243  246  251  253  254  256  260  262  263  267  268  274  275  277  279

300's

301  302  303  304  306  307  309  312  315  317  318  319  321  323  326  328  329  330  331  333  334  336  339  342  343  346  349  350  351  355  356  360  365  366  367  370  371  373  375  376  377  378  379

400's

402  403  404  405  407  411  412  413  414  422  423  427  429  430  431  443  444  445  447  448  449  450  451  452  455  458  462  463  465  466

To find out what precinct that you live in:

- Click on the following link:  http://www.traviscountytax.org/showVoterSearch.do.   This will take you to the voter verification page of the Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector web site. 

- On that page, click on "Search for Voter by Name." 

- Put in your last name and first name in the appropriate boxes and click "Go." 

- Find your name and the address where you are registered and click on the corresponding certificate number. 

- Your precinct number will be under "Travis County Elections Polling Location Information" on the left side of the page. 

To inquire about being appointed as an election judge for one year, please contact Garry Brown, 477-7500 or garry at traviscountydemocrats.org 

On a related note, Travis County Elections is looking for bilingual (English/Spanish) election workers.  For more information, please call Davia Prosser at County Elections, 854-4996.

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BECOME A TCDP SUSTAINING MEMBER!
Since 2004, seven Republican-held offices within Travis County have switched to Democrats, and now, there are only three Republicans left!  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!

As you may have heard recently in the news, Austin ranks 48th out of 50 cities in terms of the amount of money donated to nonprofit organizations.  Help reverse this trend by donating to TCDP today!!!

To join the Travis County Democratic Party go online to: 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

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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 

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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       

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Friday, September 28, 2007

Fundraiser for Congressman Lloyd Doggett

TIME:  Friday, September 28, 2007 at 6:00pm-8:00pm
PLACE:  Home of Dr. Tad Davis and Marina Sifuntes, 2510 Camino Alto

You are invited to a fundraiser for Congressman Lloyd Doggett.

Sponsorship Levels:
Host $1000
Patron $500
Friend $250

Contributions may be made online at www.votedoggett.com, or mailed to:
Doggett for US Congress
PO Box 5843
Austin, TX 78763

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Saturday, September 29, 2007

Fundraiser for Alonzo Reyes, Cand. for Constable Precinct 4

TIME:  Saturday, September 29, 2007 at 10:00am-2:00pm
PLACE:  Estrada's Cleaners, 2618 E. 7th St.

CONTACT:  Alonzo Reyes at 586-4626

Alonzo Reyes, candidate for County Constable Precinct 4, invites you to a barbeque fundraiser. Each plate is $5.00 and you will get barbeque chicken, rice, and beans. Tickets are available. 

YellerDawg/Saturday Sages Democrats Meeting
TIME:  Saturday, September 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. 

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Monday, October 1, 2007

TSEU Special Screening of Morristown

TIME:  Monday, October 1, 2007 at 6:00pm-7:30pm
PLACE:  Texas State Employee Union Hall, 1700 South First St. (Across >From Jovita's, rear building)

CONTACT:  Steve Bradley at vickicbradley at aol.com 

All are invited to a special screening of Morristown, a documentary about an organized working class response to globalization, immigration, and factory flight. If you are concerned about these issues, don't miss the hopeful message in this film.

The distinguished filmmaker and TSEU member, Ann Lewis, will be available for questions and comments.

Forum and Fundraiser for State Rep. Eddie Rodriguez

TIME:  Monday October 1st at 6:30pm-8:30pm
PLACE:  Freddie's Place, 1703 S. 1st Street

CONTACT:  292-3000

Blocked at Every Turn? It's Time to Talk About Our Roads.

You are invited to a forum and fundraiser for State Representative Eddie Rodriguez.

Sponsorship Levels:
$500
$250
$100
$50
Suggested $25 at the door

Make checks payable to the Eddie Rodriguez Campaign
P.O. Box 2436
Austin, TX 78768

Al Gore comes to Austin!

TIME:  Monday, October 1, 2007 at 7:30pm
PLACE:  Frank Erwin Center, 1701 Red River

Al Gore will present An Inconvenient Truth in Austin. Ticket prices:
29.50
49.50
99.50
250.00 VIP

Groups of 15 or more can save $10.00 on the $29.50 and $49.50 tickets only. Call the group sales department at 232-4343 or email groupsales at erwin.utexas.edu. 

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Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Capital Area Progressive Democrats Meeting

TIME:  Tuesday, October 2, 2007 at 5:30pm
PLACE:  AFL-CIO, 1106 Lavaca

CONTACT:  Chuck King at 288-8390 or chair at capdemocrats.org 

Please join Capital Area Progressive Democrats for their monthly meeting. 

Asian American Democrats of Texas

TIME:  Tuesday, October 2, 2007, 6:30pm Eat, Drink, Socialize, 7:00pm Meeting
PLACE:  First Chinese BBQ Restaurant, 10901 N Lamar Blvd.

CONTACT:  Ramey Ko at ramey.ko at gmail.com 

Please join the Austin Chapter of the Asian American Democratic of Texas for their monthly meeting.

Stonewall Democrats of Austin Meeting

TIME:  Tuesday, October 2, 2007 at 7:30pm
PLACE:  Magnolia Café's patio, 1920 S. Congress Ave.

CONTACT:  Christina Ocasio at 906-9008 or Christina at stonewallaustin.org 

Please join the Stonewall Democrats for their monthly meeting. 

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Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Democracy for Texas Meeting

TIME:  Wednesday, October 3, 2007 at 6:30pm
PLACE:  Scholz's, 1601 San Jacinto

CONTACT:  Fran Vincent at fran at democracyfortexas.org 

Please join Democracy for Texas for their monthly meeting. In conjunction with SDEC members Fran Vincent and Rich Bailey, DFT will be conducting delegate selection training to give you information on how to become a delegate to the state and national conventions next year.

Prior to the training, Nathan Gonzalez, author of Engaging Iran: The Rise of a Middle East Powerhouse and America's Strategic Choice, will speak.

League of Women Voters Immigration Forum

TIME:  Wednesday, October 3, 2007 at 7:00pm
PLACE:  LCRA Board Room, Hancock Building, 3700 Lake Austin Blvd.

CONTACT:  Susan Reid at 474-2696 or sbreid at austin.rr.com 

Immigration is a controversial and often confusing topic, especially for Texans.  The League of Women Voters of the Austin Area will sponsor a forum of leading experts who will discuss the complexities of immigration. The public is invited to attend.  For full details, see our calendar entry at: http://www.traviscountydemocrats.org/fullstory.php?artid=2697&db=calendar

University Democrats Meeting

TIME:  Wednesday, October 3, 2007 at 8:00pm
PLACE:  Mezes 1.306 on the UT Campus

CONTACT:  Benjamin Trotter at president at udems.org 

You are invited to join University Democrats for their weekly meeting. 

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Thursday, October 4, 2007

PCT CHAIRS ONLY: First Day to File for Place on Ballot 

TIME:  Thursday, October 4, 2007 at 9:00pm-5:00pm

Filing for FOR PRECINCT CHAIRS ONLY begins 60 days in advance of regular filing.

Filing for Precinct Chairs ends on Wednesday, January 2, 2008.

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

Capital City Young Democrats Meeting

TIME:  Thursday, October 4, 2007 at 6:00pm
PLACE:  Serrano's Restaurant at 1111 Red River

CONTACT:  Kim Hokanson at 905-4493 or kimberlyhokanson at gmail.com 

Please join the Capital City Young Democrats for their monthly meeting.

6:00 - meet and greet
6:15 - candidates' time-- All candidates are welcome!
6:30 or 6:45 - meeting

CCYD web site: http://www.dfameetup.org/capcityyoungdems/ 

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IN THE NEWS 
For up to date political news and commentary, please go to our web site at www.traviscountydemocrats.org and click on "Current News" 

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CONTACT INFORMATION FOR TCDP ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
Travis County Democratic Party Administrative Office

1311 East 6th Street, Austin, TX  78702

Web:  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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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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