On Saturday, January 10, Monterey County Democrats will celebrate the successful completion of a four-year growth plan - and the beginning of a new era of local political organizing - with the opening of their new permanent headquarters in Monterey.

"It turned out that we were following a path very close to the one followed by the Obama campaign," said Koller. "Those paths converge in our Center for Change."

The Center for Change in Monterey will serve as a hub for the kind of grassroots- and technology-driven campaigning that led to Democratic victories in the November election and as a local link to the change agenda of the Obama administration. The center will be focused on advancing Democratic ideals and values, and identify and empower new leaders in our community. It will offer voter forums, candidate trainings and volunteer opportunities. It will also offer an internship program for future Democratic leaders.

Special guests at Saturday's grand opening will include Congressman Sam Farr, Assemblymember Bill Monning and other local elected officials and veterans of the Obama-Biden presidential election campaign.

What: Center for Change Opening
Where: 60 Bonifacio Plaza, Monterey
When: Saturday, January 10, 2009, 4pm
Schedule:
4:00  Center Opens Doors
4:10  Welcome by Chair Vinz Koller
4:20: Remarks by Assemblymember Bill Monning
4:30: Remarks by Congressman Sam Farr
4:40: Ribbon-Cutting
4:40 - 6:00: Reception
6:00 - 8:00: "Tales from the Obama Campaign Trail - Insiders' Perspectives":  Panel discussion with visuals featuring Obama campaign veterans Spencer Critchley and Zach Friend, who will offer their inside accounts of the presidential campaign, including lessons learned for future campaigns.

On January 10 and 11, 2009, twelve delegates will be elected from every Assembly District. These delegates will represent you for a two-year term on the California Democratic Party Central Committee, decide what candidates and ballot initiatives get the official endorsement of the Party, elect Party officers, and write the Party platform.  This year the Central Committee will also elect a new chair of the California Democratic Party.

If you were a registered Democrat as of October 20, 2008 and are still registered democratic in that same Assembly District, you are eligible to participate.

Simply pre-register here and come out to your Assembly District Delegate Election on January 10 or 11, 2009 to vote. You can find your specific voting location and time, as well as candidate information at www.cadem.org/ademlocations. Pre-registration is not mandatory, but will save you time.

Please note:

• There is a $5 fee to help defray the costs of the Assembly District Election Meetings.
• You must be signed in by the time the meeting begins in order to be eligible to vote.

Find answers to frequently asked questions here.

To vote in the delegate elections:
The elections for the California Democratic Party's Assembly District Delegates for Assembly Districts 27 & 28 will be on January 11, 2009. At these meetings, registered Democrats will elect 12 delegates from each Assembly District to be members of the California Democratic Party State Central Committee.

Assembly District 27: (Assemblymember Bill Monning)
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 234
10300 Merritt St., Catroville
Registration: 12:00 noon - 2:00 pm
Meeting: 2:00 pm (Must be signed in by 2 pm to be eligible to vote)
For more information contact the convenor: Vinz Koller, AD E-Board Representative for the 27th AD.

Assembly District 28: (Assemblymember Anna Caballero)
Teamster's Union Hall
931 East Market St., Salinas
Registration: 9:00-11:00 am
Meeting: 11:00 am (Must be signed in by 11 am to be eligible to vote)
for more information, contact the convenor: Shawn Bagley, CDP Regional Director for Region 9.