The Award presentation was preceded by a discussion of education in Arizona and the budget passed by the Arizona legislature.  Speakers were from the Arizona House,  minority leader David Lujan and  Dr. Eric Meyer and candidate for the House from LD 15, Katie Hobbs.

Our actions over the next few days and weeks will be critical in building the support we need to win.

Meanwhile, conservative groups have launched a new assault on inclusion of a public healthcare option like Medicare. Their million-dollar ad campaign claims that healthcare will be rationed and “bureaucrats” will “decide the treatments you receive.” It’s an old message that you and I know isn’t true, but it will stick if we don’t fight back with our message of Choice, Competition, and Comfort.*

So we’re holding an emergency online briefing on Monday night with Governor Howard Dean, M.D. at 9pm Eastern to make sure we’re all ready for the fight ahead. This is a joint Stand with Dr. Dean event hosted by MoveOn, one of our biggest campaign partners.

All you need to join in is a computer with speakers and an internet connection. Please join us.

Emergency Online Briefing with Dr. Dean
Monday, May 4, 9pm Eastern / 6PM Arizona[Mountain]

Hosted on MoveOn.org’s web site at:
http://www.moveon.org/drdean/?id=16038-3139585-xg0J2sx&t=7

Last time Democrats tried to pass comprehensive healthcare reform, it failed. And it failed in part because the opposition was better organized and spread a bunch of lies that progressives weren’t prepared to rebut.

It’s up to us to make sure that doesn’t happen again. We need all hands on deck, well-armed with the critical information, and motivated to keep the right from blocking real change. Dr. Dean will give us an update and inside look at the battle for real healthcare reform — and the key actions we’ll take to achieve a historic victory.

With an important Senate committee meeting on Tuesday to start shaping legislation, plus the right wing’s escalating attacks, this couldn’t be more urgent.

I’ll be part of the emergency briefing, and I really hope you can join me at this crucial moment. Join us online Monday night at 9pm Eastern — that’s 8pm Central, 7pm Mountain, and 6pm Pacific — this way everyone in the country can join us at the same time.

CLICK HERE ON MONDAY AT 9PM EASTERN TO JOIN US ONLINE

I look forward to ’seeing’ you on the call.

- Arshad Hasan, Executive Director, Democracy for America

P.S. If you would like to share a personal healthcare horror story or submit a specific question for Dr. Dean before the event, you can do that by clicking here.

* Check out www.StandwithDrDean.com/FAQ for talking points on how an open-access public healthcare option offers Choice, Competition, and Comfort.

But our work isn’t over yet. Go to StandWithDrDean.com right now and sign Gov. Howard Dean’s healthcare petition. But don’t stop there. Ask your family, friends and neighbors, and get them to sign it, too.

SIGN GOV. HOWARD DEAN’S HEALTHCARE PETITION

We need you to take action now in order to reach our goal of 250,000 on time, and that’s why we need your help today is getting the word out.

Recruiting your Group Members and friends to sign this petition is just as important as signing it yourself. It’s like Gov. Dean said on Wednesday night’s conference call: to win this fight, we need to know who our allies are, and where they are.

TAKE THE PLEDGE AND TELL YOUR FRIENDS TO STAND WITH DR. DEAN

“If Barack Obama’s healthcare plan gets changed to exclude a public option like Medicare, then it is not healthcare reform. Legislation rises and falls on whether the American public is allowed to choose a universally available public option or not. If they are allowed to choose Medicare as an option, this bill will be real healthcare reform. If they’re not, we could be back fighting about it for another 20 years before anybody tries again.”

http://standwithdrdean.com

You are invited by:
Democracy For America –Maricopa County
and
Maricopa County Democratic Party
To attend a training opportunity:
July 25th & 26th, Saturday & Sunday
9am to 6pm
on the campus of
University of Advancing Technology
2625 W. Baseline Rd. Tempe, AZ 85283
Lunch and refreshments provided.
Tuition: $60 if paid in advance online at ($30 for students):
DemocracyForAmerica.com/CampaignAcademy
Scholarships are available; apply online. $75 at the door.

Campaign Academy weekends are 16 hours of interactive workshops that bring hundreds of local activists, campaign staff and candidates together for 2 days of intensive campaign training.

Experienced campaign professionals lead sessions in voter contact, fundraising, communications, on-line organizing and much more to empower progressive activists with the skills to win elections. And of course, everyone receives their own copy of DFA’s 180-page Campaign Training Manual.

All DFA asks is a small contribution of $60 to DFA to help us cover the costs. Don’t worry if you can’t afford it, you can always find someone to sponsor you through our training scholarship fund and we offer reduced tuition rates to those in need.

Space is limited, so reserve your seat today! For more info on our trainers, curriculum, and history visit our training homepage at: DemocracyForAmerica.com/CampaignAcademy

DFA members are working everyday to build a stronger more progressive Democratic Party. We believe the Democratic Party must be driven by people-power and responsive to the needs of everyday Americans.

Too often, once leaders from any party get elected, they get tied to a culture of incumbency and insular thinking that is dominated by special interests. DFA members fight for a culture of activism and rebuild policies and platforms for grassroots empowerment. It is our mission to constantly revitalize the party with new members, progressive ideas, and effective actions.

In 2005, DFA members elected our founder Howard Dean to the Chairmanship of the Democratic National Committee. With the 50 State Strategy, Governor Dean has successfully delivered on our campaign commitment to stand up for Democrats and our principles in every district in every state.

Our work hasn’t ended with electing a new chairman to head the party, DFA members have run for all levels of party office from precinct captains to county and statewide party chairs. We don’t just talk the talk. DFA members do the work it takes to make change happen. Join us in our mission to reform the Democratic Party.

- DFA Statement on Reforming the Democratic Party

DFA-MC Monthly Meeting
January 7, 2008
Wednesday 6:30pm
El Penasco Restaurant
19 E Broadway Rd, Tempe, AZ 85282

Agenda:

The legislative session is going to be in full force very soon. Carol Corsica will present a PowerPoint of AZ Legislature basics. We will be discussing possible legislation regarding Election Integrity. Let’s review the changes we were looking for and what we might be concerned about that could be introduced by the SOS, etc.

We meet together the first Wednesday of each month. Bring a friend and enjoy an evening of politics, activist information, planning and friendly conversation. Click here to RSVP.

For this, we need well-motivated and trained Precinct Election Board Workers (aka poll workers), and Political Observers who understand the rules and procedures.  Democrats are needed in most parts of the county, and bilingual Spanish and Tohono O’odham speakers are at a premium.

For more information on working the polls for the November 4, 2008 General Election please email azpollworker@cox.net. If you’re in Legislative Districts 18-22, or the part of LD 23 in Maricopa County you can email the GemDems EIC (Greater Eastern Maricopa Democrats Election Integrity Committee) directly at evpollworker@gmail.com.

All voters are encouraged to educate themselves on the election process and browse around the Maricopa County Elections Department (MCED) website: http://recorder.maricopa.gov/web/elections.aspx, especially the Election Board Worker Information page: http://recorder.maricopa.gov/elections/electboard.aspx, where there’s an Election Board Worker Training Video, and an online version of the Election Board Worker Training Manual.

Political Parties
Under Arizona law, recruiting Board Workers is the responsibility of the political parties, although in recent memory, that task has been left to county elections departments.  The goal is to provide the 1142 polling places in Maricopa County with equal party representation – roughly half Rs and half Ds, with other parties and independents sprinkled in if they’re available.

In cooperation with the Maricopa County Elections Department (MCED), your Arizona and Maricopa County Democratic Party are recruiting Democratic Board Workers (aka poll workers) for the General Election on November 4.  Although Board Workers are hired, trained and paid by MCED, they represent their party (if any) and the voters of the county.  The Democratic Party will be offering additional training for our Board Workers and Observers.

Since Democratic candidates need the votes of non-Democrats, and in the interest of balanced party representation and good relations with MCED, we’re more than happy to help non-Dems connect with MCED.  Email azpollworker@cox.net if we can be of assistance.

Political Observers
Political parties are entitled to appoint Political Observers to observe and report procedures inside the polling places, as well as anywhere ballots are transported or handled.  While these positions are unpaid, it is possible to commit to less than the full 15-hour Board Worker shift. The state and county Democratic Parties are recruiting and training observers now.  Political Observers are appointed by the County Chairs of the ballot-recognized political parties (Dem, Rep, Lib & Green).  Non-Dems are encouraged to contact their respective parties.

Board Worker Recruiting and Hiring
Board Worker recruiting and hiring for the November 4 General Election has begun.  Those who worked the September Primary and other previous elections are being called to see who’s coming back, and then remaining vacancies will be filled.  If you’re interested in serving as a Board Worker, please email azpollworker@cox.net, and we’ll put you in touch with MCED recruiters.

They’ll try to put you in your home precinct, but if it’s fully staffed, there’ll probably be vacancies not too far away.  Let us and them know if you’re willing to travel to help fill Democratic vacancies – if necessary.

Once you’re hired, you’ll be scheduled for a training class in mid-late October.  Over the weekend before the election, you’ll be contacted by your Inspector (the boss of the polling place) to arrange the Setup Meeting (2 hours?). The Board Workers meet at the polling place to set it up – usually on Monday afternoon.

Requirements
Board Workers must be registered to vote in Maricopa County.  No experience is necessary, and first-timers are welcome.  Board Worker positions are paid and vary in responsibility.  Total pay is $115 per election, with opportunities for advancement. 

Workers must attend the training class and set-up meeting.  On Election Day, the hours are from 5:30am till 8:30pm.  The positions are paid and vary in responsibility. No experience is necessary, and first-timers are welcome.  Workers must attend a training class and a set-up meeting before election day.

On election day, the hours are from 5:30am till 8:30pm or so.  You must commit to staying for the whole shift – without leaving the polling place – so bring all the food and meds you need, or order out.

Bilingual Board Workers
Fluency in Spanish or Tohono O’odham are in high demand.  This year, 636 precincts have enough Spanish and/or Tohono O’odham speaking voters to require the services of 848 bilingual workers (some polling sites require both).  This requires attending a special training class, for which the Board Worker is paid.

Step-Up
Because of the ongoing shortage of Precinct Election Board Workers (aka poll workers), a state law was passed in 2006 that allows sixteen and seventeen-year-olds to work at the polls on Election Day.  It’s called the Step-Up program, and it’s open to anyone who will be 16 by the General Election (Nov. 4).

Like all board workers, Step-Up students receive pay for attending the training class, the set-up meeting, and working Election Day.  They must have parental approval and the high school must be notified of their intent. Schools are not penalized for the absence.

Monica is running the Step-Up program at Maricopa County Elections Department (MCED).  For more information, call her at 602-506-7544.  Please let us know what happens, so we’ll be able better able to advise the next person.

Voting Board Workers
If you’re not working in your home precinct, and you haven’t voted early, be sure to tell your Inspector and your Trouble Shooter (supervisor of several polling places) who will be stopping by) that you need a ballot.  They’ll get you a mail-in ballot which you can deposit in the Early Ballot box where you’re working.

Learn the Procedures
There’s more information at the MCED website: http://recorder.maricopa.gov/elections/electboard.aspx, where you’ll find links to the online Board Worker manual and video.  We highly recommend looking at the sections on voter ID at the polls (pp25-26), and the Provisional Ballot procedure (p30).

For example, if a voter’s name does not appear in the Signature Roster, they should find their residence on the precinct map to make sure they’re in the right polling place, and if not, they should be directed to the polling place assigned to their address.  If they’re in the right place, they should vote provisional, and if they’re registered, their vote will count.

July 9, 2008 Wednesday 6:30pm

El Penasco Restaurant

19 E Broadway Rd. Tempe, AZ 85282

Speakers:

Ed Hermes, County Supervisor Candidate

Joel Sinclaire, County Supervisor Candidate

Karen Price, LD9 Senate Candidate

We meet together the first Wednesday (except Jan. and July when we meet 2nd Wed.) of each month. Bring a friend and enjoy an evening of politics, activist information, planning and friendly conversation .

Click here to RSVP.

We have a war to end, an economy in trouble, and $4 gas.

With hundreds of progressives to elect at all levels of office, it’s time to leave the character attacks to Ann Coulter and Bill O’Reilly. America needs to know why our candidates are better than John McCain and we need to hear it from Senators Clinton and Obama. Fight McCain, not each other. Join me in signing an open letter to the candidates now:

www.DemocracyforAmerica.com/OpenLetter

We have an historic nomination battle, driving record Democratic turnout and commanding the nation’s attention. America needs to know our nominee will fight global warming with new jobs, technologies, and investment. Our nominee will expand health coverage to 10 million kids immediately, allow lifesaving research on stem cells, and work toward health care for all by the end of a first term. We will ban torture, restore habeas corpus, and build renewed respect for America around the world.

A Democratic President will end the war in Iraq and bring our brave men and women home.

A long primary battle is healthy as long as we make the case for how we’ll win, not how the other candidate will lose. We need to fight McCain, not each other. Join me in demanding Senators Clinton and Obama keep their eyes on the ball.

www.DemocracyforAmerica.com/OpenLetter

Let voters choose our nominee based on the best we have to offer, not the worst we can imagine. Senators Clinton and Obama say they are ready to lead. Now is their chance to prove it. Thank you for everything you do to move America forward.

- Jim Dean, Chair DFA