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Dallas County Democratic Party
Weekly Roundup          
Democratic news from Dallas County
 and beyond.
Tuesday Oct 14 2014   
This Friday: DCDP Fish Fry -  
Tickets Available Now 
   
Each year the Dallas County Democratic Party's Fish Fry is our largest gathering of Democratic voters, officeholders and candidates, coming together for food, fellowship, and fun. We have an unprecedented statewide ticket and more than 100 Democratic candidates on the Dallas County ballot.

This year the event will once again be held at the Sokol Hall, 7448 Greenville Ave. (south of Walnut Hill), Dallas, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM, on Friday, October 17.

Tickets are $35 per person -- but only $25 per person for Precinct Chairs and DCDP Sustaining Members. Tickets include a catfish dinner with all the fixings. Beer and soft drinks are available.

RSVP NOW and get your tickets online at this page.

Share our Facebook event page.

Fish Fry proceeds fund the day-to-day operations of the Dallas County Democratic Party. (We receive no funding from the national Democratic Party or from the Texas Democratic Party.) Fish Fry sponsors are our vital base, which allows us to keep the party office open year-round, to start turning Texas blue and making Dallas County even bluer!

Sponsorships are also available. Please become a Fish Fry sponsor now at the highest level you can! Sponsor online at this page.

This Saturday AND Sunday:
Get Out The Early Vote Block Walks!
  
Early vote is fast approaching! Join the DCDP Street Team on Saturday October 18 and Sunday October 19 for two back to back block walks to help turn Democrats out to vote early! 

Times:
Saturday October 18:
    Shift 1: 9:30 am to 1 pm
    Shift 2: 11:30 am to 3 pm

Sunday October 19:
     Shift 1: 2 pm to 5 pm

Wear: cool clothes (the bluer the better), comfortable shoes, sunglasses, sunblock, a hat, and bring your Democratic festive gear with you!

Location: Meet at Stone Tables Picnic Area in White Rock Park (661 E Lawther Dr., Dallas 75218)

Sign up on line to help bring out the voters here:
Early Voting Starts Next Monday
  
This year's Early Voting begins on Monday, October 20, and runs through Friday, October 31. Hours and locations of Early Voting is a pdf here.

The sample ballot is a pdf here.

We encourage a "Straight Party" Democratic ticket vote. It's much quicker than voting for each of those dozens of candidates.

Besides over 100 federal, state, and local offices, there is also on the ballot one proposed state Constitutional Amendment, nine proposed City of Dallas Charter Amendments; bond issues in Cockrell Hill, DeSoto, Sunnyvale, and in the Duncanville, Garland, and Sunnyvale school districts; and a sales tax election in Sunnyvale.

The proposed state constitutional amendment, Proposition 1, would authorize annual spending from the state's oil and gas production tax collections to the State Highway Fund. An estimated $1.4 billion would be transferred to the State Highway Fund in the first year alone. The Texas Democratic Party endorsed Proposition One at the State Convention.

The only other stand I've heard of yet by a Democratic group is on the city of Dallas Proposition 4 "Amending the Provision for Nondiscrimination in City Employment", which was endorsed by the Stonewall Democrats of Dallas Board, saying it "strongly urges all Dallas residents to vote FOR Proposition Number 4 on the ballot which contains all inclusive non-discrimination language for our Community."
What About Photo IDs For Voting?
 
There was great news last week, when a federal district Judge struck down the Texas law requiring photo IDs for voting. One blog summarized the ruling: "It violates the Voting Rights Act, it violates the constitutional prohibition on poll taxes, it violates the constitutional prohibition of unjustified burdens, it violates the constitutional prohibition on intentional racial discrimination: indeed, in 147 pages of opinion, there's little that the ID law doesn't violate." The Judge was scathing in her denunciation. Read it all as a pdf here. If this decision is upheld as it should be potentially hundreds of thousands of voters that the Republicans were trying to keep away from the polls will have a chance to cast ballots.

Unfortunately, this ruling does not guarantee that voters will not still have to have photo IDs for this election. The Texas Attorney General immediately said he will appeal and seek a stay against this decision while it is being appealed. The federal Court of Appeals for this region is notoriously reactionary and adamantly Republican. It may still require photo IDs for this election, and even if it does not, the US Supreme Court could do that. All this will be played out in the courts this week. Whichever way it goes, we'll post it on our website, and we'll notify our Election Judges if there is any change.

Just to be on the safe side, if you have one, take your photo ID anyway. The forms of approved photo ID are on our website here:
http://dallasdemocrats.org/elections/voting.html
On The Campaign Trail
  
If you want to see our entire state and local Democratic ticket this year, with handy links to their campaign sites, check out our DCDP website at this page. Here are a few pictures of some of them at recent events.


David Alameel for US Senate speaking at the University of Texas at Dallas October 3.






Sam Houston for Attorney General, Leticia Van de Putte for Lieutenant Governor, Wendy Davis for Governor, Steve Brown for Railroad Commissioner, and Mike Collier for Comptroller at the Harris County DP dinner October 11.
 


At right John Cook for Land Commissioner campaigning in Denton.








At left, Andrea Martin for Judge 304th Dist. and Kim Cooks for Judge 255th Dist. at the Dallas Black Women Attorneys Annual Sparkle October 11.










At right, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson and Brandon Birmingham for Judge 292nd District.








At left, our County Judge Clay Jenkins on October 11 with walkers for his campaign and for Carol Donovan for State Representative HD 107 from the Workers Defense Project and the Texas Organizing Project.






And at right, Susan Motley for State Representative HD 105 distributing her campaign yard signs.
Yard Signs Are Back



We ran out of yard signs earlier but they're back in stock! Stop by our office at 4209 Parry Ave. between 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Friday to pick up a yard sign before we run out again!
Estamos empleando!
 
The Dallas County Democratic Party is seeking bilingual canvassers to knock on doors in October on weekends and evenings. Canvassers must have reliable transportation and should be fluent in both English and Spanish. For more information or to apply online click here.

Phone Banks & Block Walks
 


 (Shown above: Lieutenant Governor candidate Leticia Van de Putte calling voters at the DCDP phone bank last week.)

Please RSVP for any of these to DCDP Field Director Jess Weldon by email to jess AT DallasDemocrats.org.

Monday and Thursday Phone Banks: Mondays and Thursdays, 6 - 8 PM DCDP HQ. Please bring a fully charged cell phone and RSVP to Jess Weldon.

Block Walks: Saturdays, at varying locations. Email Jess for details.
Upcoming Events and Meetings
 
(For the latest updates on local events, and links to more info about these, check out the DallasDemocrats on Facebook and Twitter, and the DCDP website Calendar. To add an event or make a change or correction, contact the party office or email the editor: BillHowellDCDP AT Yahoo.com.)

Tuesday, October 14:

Dallas County Young Democrats with State Senator Royce West -- (6:30 pm, Sunset Lounge, 3030 Ross Ave., Dallas)

PVL - A New Era -- (6:30 pm, Thurgood Marshall Rec. Center, 5150 Mark Trail, Dallas)

Irving Democratic Club -- (7 pm, Senter Park East, 228 Chamberlain, Irving)

Dallas Drinking Liberally -- (7:30 pm, Uptown Pub, 3605 McKinney Ave., Dallas)

Wednesday, October 15:


Burger Blast Fundraiser for Felicia Pitre -- Candidate for Dallas County District Clerk. Contributions $25 to $250. You may contribute in person or online at http://feliciapitre.com/donate.html. (5:30 - 7:30 PM, The Dallasite, 4822 Bryan St. [at Fitzhugh], Dallas 75204)

Coppell Valley Ranch Democrats GOTV Community Meeting -- Guest speakers are Judge Martin Hoffman of the 68th Civil District Court; Steve Valles, Political Director, Wendy Davis Campaign; Jennifer Bennett, candidate for the 265th District Court; Brandon Birmingham, candidate for the 292nd District Court; Paul Stafford, candidate for Texas House District 115; Dr. Patrick McGehearty, candidate for the 24th Congressional District; Janice Schwarz and David Griggs, State Democratic Executive Committee members for Texas District 16. For questions, email to info AT cvrdems.com. (7 - 8:45 PM, William T. Cozby Library, 177 Heartz Road, Coppell)

Northwest Dallas Democrats -- (7:30 pm, Taco Cabana, 11824 Webb Chapel Road Farmers Branch 75234)

Thursday, October 16:

Far North Dallas Richardson Democrats -- We will have author Merritt Tierce speak. Besides being an author, she is also the waitress who waited on Rush Limbaugh, received large $2000 tip, and donated it to Planned Parenthood. Since then, she has been the focus of right wing anger, including sabotaging of reviews on her Amazon page. Read more here and here.  SEATING LIMITED. RSVP on Facebook at this page. (Dinner 6 PM, Meeting 7 PM, Sonny Bryan's Smokehouse, 1251 W Campbell Rd Ste 240 at Coit, Richardson 75080)

Election Day Training: Poll Watchers 101 -- Please RSVP by emailing to callred AT battlegroundtexas.com. (6 - 8 PM, Jenkins for Dallas County Campaign Office, 1409 S. Lamar Street #316, Dallas)

State Representative Toni Rose Town Hall Meeting -- Dist. 110. Those planning to attend are encouraged to RSVP to ensure enough materials are available.  Please call 214-371-3300 or email District110.Rose AT house.state.tx.us to confirm attendance. (6 - 8 pm, Tommie Allen Recreation Center, 7071 Bonnie View Road, Dallas 75241)

Drinking Liberally Coppell -- (6:30 pm, Guero's Mexican Grill, 817 South MacArthur Blvd # 125 at Beltline, Coppell)

Dem Dames Rockwall -- (6:30 PM, LaMadeleine's E. I-30 Service Rd., Rockwall)

Friday, October 17:

DCDP Fish Fry donkey DCDP Annual Fish Fry Fundraiser -- The Dallas County Democratic Party's fall fundraiser. Sponsorships available. Tickets $35, just $25 for Precinct Chairs and DCDP Sustaining Members. See article above. (6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, Sokol Hall, 7448 Greenville Avenue, Dallas)

Saturday, October 18:

 

North Oak Cliff Democrats Breakfast -- (8:30 - 10 AM, Norma's Cafe, 1123 W. Davis St., Dallas 75208)

 

Rockwall County Democratic Party Meeting -- (9 AM, Harry Myers Community Center 815 E. Washington, Rockwall)  

   

Sunday, October 19:

Lake Highlands White Rock Democrats 20th Annual Chili Supper -- Join us for an evening of Fun, Fellowship and Fundraising, with Chili from Famous Chili Chefs of the Lake Highlands/White Rock Democrats, And a Fabulous Silent Auction.  Tickets: $15. (5 - 9 PM, Winfrey Point at White Rock Lake, 950 East Lawther, Dallas)

Monday, October 20 through Friday, October 31:

Early Voting -- For over 100 federal, state, and local offices. Also on the ballot: One proposed state Constitutional Amendment, nine proposed City of Dallas Charter Amendments; bond issues in Cockrell Hill, DeSoto, Sunnyvale, and in the Duncanville, Garland, and Sunnyvale school districts; and a sales tax election in Sunnyvale. Sample ballot is a pdf here. (Hours and locations will be posted at DallasCountyVotes.org)



Monday, October 20:

Mexican American Democrats of Texas Lunch and Vote -- By invitation only, call to RSVP 214-329-3397. We will walk two blocks to the Beckley Courthouse to vote early. (12 Noon - 4 PM, David Reyna Law Office, 300 Centre St., Dallas 75208)

Irving Democratic Women Get-Out-the-Vote Kick-off -- (5 pm -- 8 pm, Email lhobbs1015 AT hotmail.com for directions)

North Texas Asian Democrats -- (7:30 PM, Jeng Chi Restaurant, 400 N. Greenville Ave. Suite 11, Richardson 75081)

Tuesday, October 21:

Election Day Training: Poll Watchers 101 -- Please RSVP by emailing to callred AT battlegroundtexas.com. (11 AM - 1 PM, at Waters Kraus, 3219 Mckinney Ave., Conference Room A [first floor], Dallas

Stonewall Democrats -- Speakers: John Warren - Dallas County Clerk, and Paul Castillo - Attorney, Lambda Legal on Marriage status following SCOTUS actions. (6:30 pm, Ojeda's Restaurant, 4617 Maple Ave., Dallas)

Thursday, October 23:

Hats off to Helen Giddings -- A reception honoring State Representative Helen Giddings. Contribution levels: $100 - $2500. For questions or to RSVP, please contact Tamara Hobbs at (469) 658-1158 or email to monihobbs1 AT yahoo.com(5:30 - 7:30 pm, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, 2700 Flora Street, Dallas 75201)

State Representative Toni Rose Town Hall Meeting -- Dist. 110. Those planning to attend are encouraged to RSVP to ensure enough materials are available.  Please call 214-371-3300 or email District110.Rose AT house.state.tx.us to confirm attendance. (6 - 8 pm, Balch Springs Civic Center, 12400 Elam Road, Balch Springs, 75180)

North Dallas Texas Democratic Women -- (6:45 pm, Northaven United Methodist Church, 11211 Preston Rd, Dallas)

Friday, October 24:

Last day to receive application for Ballot by Mail. 

Saturday, October 25:

Election Day Training: Poll Watchers 101 -- Please RSVP by emailing to callred AT battlegroundtexas.com. (11 AM - 1 PM, UNT-Dallas College of Law, 1901 Main Street, Room 560, Dallas)
 
Rowlett Democrats -- Guest speaker, Dr. Bob Morrison, Garland Independent Schools new Superintendent, will discuss the $455M school bond issue that will be on the November 4 ballot. Also discuss the campaigns, candidates, statewide and national issues, and volunteer for Battleground Texas.  Bring a dish for the potluck dinner. (5 PM, First Christian Church, 7301 Miller Rd., Rowlett)

Tuesday, November 4:

GENERAL ELECTION FOR 2014 -- (7 AM - 7 PM, Local precinct polling places)

Friday, November 7:

Rockwall County Democratic Party Harvest Hootenanny Chili Cookoff -- Featuring the Braying Donkey Coffeehouse Band. Sign up by email to fairesrfun AT yahoo.com. A donation of $10 gets you a bowl of chili and a drink. Guaranteed To Be Fun!

Monday, December 1:

Stonewall Democrats Holiday Party -- With annual awards presentation and auction. (6:30 - 9 PM, Roundup Saloon, Dallas) 

Thursday, December 11:

Preston Hollow Democrats 2nd Annual Holiday Party -- (6:30 - 10 PM, at Four Seasons Decorations, 139 Turtle Creek Blvd., Dallas 75207)

.         
Contact:
Dallas County Democratic Party
4209 Parry Avenue, Dallas TX 75223
Phone: 214-821-8331     Fax: 214-821-0995
Website:  www.dallasdemocrats.org
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/DallasDemocrats
Twitter:  twitter.com/dallasdemocrats
Instagram:  http://instagram.com/dallasdemocrats
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