Wednesday, March 27, 2024
In this Issue: Amazing Job, Lake County Clerk Anthony Vega! ● Can You Believe It? Lake County Republicans Promoting Firearms Giveaway Again! ● One Pollwatcher’s Perspective ● Thanks for Voting ● Lake Dems Celebrate Holi and Easter This Week ● March is Women’s History Month ● Have you Heard? Tenth Congressional District Democrats Offer an Internship for Summer 2024 ● Lake Dems Attend Events ● Members of Congress Representing Lake County Host Important Events ● ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) ● Upcoming Events ● More Photos
Amazing Job, Lake County Clerk Anthony Vega!
A hearty congratulations and thank you to our Lake County Clerk Anthony Vega. He and his staff did an amazing job of running the primary election and were able to post the election night results quickly after the polls closed.
Since the last election, the Democratic-led county board approved funding for all new equipment allowing for a faster and easier check-in and ballot issue process for in-person voting.
Clerk Vega also improved the system for voting by mail. In the past, a voter had to go back to the Voter Power website to check whether their mail-in ballot had reached the clerk’s office and then again to see whether it had been accepted. Now, a voter who returns a mail-in ballot is sent a text or email telling them when the ballot was received and accepted, and that it will be counted. One voter reported that she deposited her ballot in a drop box on a Sunday afternoon after 2:00 pm, and had an email in her inbox before noon Monday morning confirming receipt.
Looking for results? Go to the Lake County Clerk’s Election Results website.
Can You Believe It? Lake County Republicans Promoting Firearms Giveaway Again!
In yesterday’s press release, Lake County Democrats once again denounced Republicans for promoting a firearms raffle. Rather than working to prevent gun violence, Republicans in Lake County have chosen to promote the use of guns as a fundraising prize instead. Just as they have in recent years, Lake County Republicans are promoting a gun raffle in the area. Shared on social media by the official Facebook page for the Lake County Illinois Republican Central Committee, the “Friends of the NRA” ‘s so-called “The Future of Freedom” event on Thursday, March 28th, in Gurnee, includes special “single shot” and “double barrel” packages, along with several guns and NRA gear as prizes.
“The reason more people in Lake County are supporting Democrats is because they know Democrats represent their values and the Republican Party is increasingly becoming dangerously out of touch. While Democrats organize to prevent gun violence, extremist Lake County Republicans simply refuse to take the issue seriously. Democrats are going to win again in Lake County in 2024 because of sharp contrasts like this,” said Lake County Democrats Chair Lauren Beth Gash.
One Pollwatcher’s Perspective
You may have read in last week’s issue that on March 19 more than 70 trained Lake Dems/Tenth Dems pollwatchers were out observing polling places across Lake County. Perhaps you were wondering what there was for Democratic pollwatchers to do for the primary, with few contested races in Lake County, especially since our Democratic Lake County Clerk, Anthony Vega, and his staff organized an exceptionally well-run election. Well, the Election Protection Team’s goal is to help make sure that everyone eligible to vote is allowed to vote. When you read what one of our volunteers, Ila Rothschild, wrote about her experiences last Tuesday, you’ll understand what that means and also get a feel for why volunteering with the Election Protection Team is one of the most satisfying activities we as Democrats do.
“Mid-afternoon, an elderly woman came to vote. She had moved to Lake County several months before to be closer to her family, but she hadn’t yet registered to vote. After rifling through her purse, she couldn’t find a driver’s license or other identification showing her current address. Without those, she would not be able to same-day register — which requires two pieces of I.D., one with the voter’s current address. The election judges correctly offered a provisional ballot that they explained would be counted only if she brought proper identification to the County Clerk’s Office within seven days. She decided just to leave. I could see the disappointment in her eyes.
I then remembered our Democratic Election Protection Manual stating that in a case like this, we could brainstorm with the voter and that if they didn’t have appropriate documents in a pocket or purse, a glove compartment was another place they could look. I ran outside and suggested to the woman that we check her car. A prescription from Walgreens with her current address was lying right on the passenger front seat! Her insurance card was in the glove compartment and it too had her current address!! Bingo! Back in she went to vote — with the help of reading glasses borrowed from one of the election judges.
Helping this one person to vote made my day!”
Thanks for Voting
Lake Dems thanks everyone who took the time to register to vote, requested and sent back a Vote-by-Mail ballot, or braved bad weather to early vote or vote on Election Day in person. We also thank our many volunteers, candidates, and other election heroes.
This November will be a crucial election for Democrats and our democracy. Be sure to make a plan to vote – whether by mail or in person during early voting or on Election Day, November 5! Consider signing up for permanent Vote-by-Mail today by going to Lake County Voter Power and following the on-screen instructions.
Voting is the foundation stone for political action.
–Martin Luther King
Lake Dems Celebrate Holi and Easter This Week
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Wishing our readers a very happy Holi and Easter! If you observe either holiday (or both), may your celebrations be filled with joy.
March is Women’s History Month
In this final week of Women’s History Month, Lake Dems wants to recognize how much women are contributing to Democratic leadership in Lake County. 64% of Democratic members on the Lake County Board are women (9 of 14); 80% of Democratic state senators and representatives are women (8 of 10); 43% of Democratic countywide elected officials are women (3 of 7); and let’s not forget that 50% of the officers of Lake County Democrats are women (5 of 10), as are 67% of Democratic Township Chairs (12 of 18).
We’ve come a long way since Lake Dems Chair Lauren Beth Gash was the only Democratic woman legislator from Lake County (or for that matter, DuPage, Kane, or McHenry).
Visit WomensHistoryMonth.gov to read more about the vital contributions of women in our nation’s history.
Have you Heard? Tenth Congressional District Democrats Offer an Internship for Summer 2024
Looking to put your progressive values to meaningful work this summer? Tenth Congressional District Democrats (Tenth Dems) is now accepting applications for its Summer 2024 Internship Program. This substantive program is designed for high school, college, and graduate/law students seeking an opportunity to become deeply engaged in the political process.
Tenth Dems interns provide support for Lake, Cook, and McHenry County Democratic events, candidates, and elected officials. Click here for more about the program and how to apply.
Lake Dems Attend Events
We are grateful to our Democratic township organizations that send event photos to info@lakedems.org for sharing in our newsletter. Have an event coming up? Please click here to submit your event for posting on our website and in this publication.
Waukegan Township Democrats Bowling Night Fundraiser
A big crowd of Lake County Democrats enjoyed some good old-fashioned fun at a bowling fundraiser for Waukegan Township Democrats.
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Enjoy more photos at the end of this newsletter.
Members of Congress Representing Lake
County Host Important Events
Jan Schakowsky’s
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You’re invited to join Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky for her 2024 Annual Ultimate Women’s Power Lunch. Register here to join our Lake Dems tables for this always-inspiring event! Enter Lake Dems or Lauren Beth Gash in the Specific Table Request field when you register – it pops up after the payment screen. |
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Brad Schneider’s
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ICYMI
In Case You Missed It
Illinois lawmakers join letter carriers in protest against Postmaster General’s cutback plan
Suburban Illinois District Cancels Caudill Awards
Upcoming Events
SATURDAY, MAR. 30
Antioch Easter Parade with Lake Dems and Antioch Democrats. 10:00am, Antioch. More.
For the complete list of Upcoming Events, go to lakedems.org/events.
Click here to submit your event for consideration.
More Photos
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How Do I Join Lake County Democrats?
Lake County Democrats is made up of people like you, people who are passionate about building better communities and a better world. We’re a grassroots political organization, working with Democrats in all parts of Lake County – from Antioch to Highland Park, Libertyville to Waukegan, Barrington to Zion. Become a member online now, (individual: $35/couples $60 – though more is always appreciated), or send a check payable to Lake County Democrats to P.O. Box 671, Lake Zurich, IL 60047. Questions? Contact info@lakedems.org..
