Wednesday, October 23, 2024
In this Issue: Democrats Pack the House for Lake Dems Shades of Blue Awards Reception ● JB Pritzker Kicks Off Lake County Democrats Day of Action ● The Cure for Pre-Election Anxiety ● Countywide Early Voting Began Monday, October 21 ● Attorneys and Other Poll Watchers Needed! ● Show Your Neighbors You Support Harris-Walz and Other Lake County Democratic Candidates ● Lake Dems Out and About ● ICYMI ● Upcoming Events
Lake Dems REV (Reach Every Voter) Project Continues to Gain Momentum
You can make a difference. Are you willing to help?
Sign up here: lakedems.org/REV.
Contribute or Join/Renew Your Lake Dems Membership
Democrats Pack the House for Lake Dems Shades of Blue Awards Reception
Thank you to all of our incredible speakers, sponsors, event committee members, awardees, attendees, and volunteers who made our 3rd Annual Shades of Blue such a success. Democratic speakers and candidates up and down the ballot energized an overflow crowd.
Chair Lauren Beth Gash welcomed the crowd and explained that we celebrate Shades of Blue to show how Lake County has changed from bright Republican red to purple to now mostly blue. But we still have areas that are red, pink, and purple and there’s still much work to do.
We’re reaching registered voters who are very likely to support Democrats, but 1) might need to be convinced to cast their vote, or 2) might need more convincing to support our candidates all the way down the ballot.
Congratulations to the evening’s awardees:
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Terry Cosgrove, Pro-choice Leader
- Leadership Award: Maria Peterson, State Rep. Candidate District 52
- Volunteer of the Year Award: Joy Anes
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Click here to see more photos from the event.
JB Pritzker Kicks Off Lake County Democrats Day of Action
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Volunteers are going out to Reach Every Voter (REV) before election day. And who better to kick off the day Sunday than our Governor, JB Pritzker! The weather was beautiful, and after hearing from JB we were energized and ready to hit the streets to talk to voters and drop off literature. |
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And the press was there! Our own precinct committeeperson, Jeanine Chyna, was featured on ABC7 for a news story about the impact talking to voters at their front doors has on getting out the vote for our candidates. Click here to watch the videos. |
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The Cure for Pre-Election Anxiety
By Steven Gan
For the past few months when I’ve gotten up in the morning, there’s been this little knot in my stomach. The cause is usually due to hearing about another one of Trump’s outrageously disgusting
comments.
But rather than letting my feeling of despair get the better of me, I decided to get myself out of the house and do some door knocking. Fortunately, from the Lake Dems website lakedems.org/events, I was able to sign up for the Win Over Wisconsin (WOW) initiative at lakedems.org/WOW. My first trip was to Milwaukee this past Saturday.
When I arrived at the Democratic office in Milwaukee, there were a couple of hundred people already there, which included a large contingent from our own Lake Dems. Within minutes, Lake Dems leadership partnered me with a veteran canvasser.
At the very first house, we asked, “Have you made a plan to vote?”, and the resident responded that she had recently received a lovely postcard from someone in New York and that she was definitely going to vote this week. We were delighted with this positive encounter.
For the next couple of hours, we went to all the assigned homes and knocked on the doors. Some were not at home and others who came to the door were very kind to let us speak with them. Most individuals said they were all in on Harris and Walz, but had not yet made a plan to vote. We explained how important this election is to each of us and to the country. Of course, a few individuals had opposing voting plans. Although we tried to change their positions, sometimes it is what it is.
While going door to door, I listened carefully to my canvassing partner’s approach. She was not only very personable to everyone with whom we spoke, but she also listened very politely and patiently to differing viewpoints. Whatever the outcome of the encounter, our goal was to leave them knowing we appreciated their time.
After we finished, I mentioned how anxious I had been feeling over the past few months and her response was, “The best antidote for pre-election anxiety is to work hard to get out the vote!”
With the above in mind, here’s the registration link lakedems.org/WOW (Win Over Wisconsin) to sign up for door knocking in Wisconsin, the swing state in our backyard that needs our help!
Countywide Early Voting Began Monday, October 21
Countywide early voting for the upcoming November 5, 2024 election, is underway. Voters across Lake County can take advantage of an expanded list of early voting sites, allowing them to cast their ballots at a time and place that best suits their schedule. For a complete list of early voting hours and locations, voters can click here or use the Early Voting Sites Finder tool online, allowing voters to locate their most convenient early voting site.
You can also click here to find the Lake County Clerk’s “Early Voting Site Wait Times” website.
It’s Not Too Late to Apply for a Vote-by-Mail Ballot
The Lake County clerk’s office must receive your completed ballot application by 5:00pm on the Thursday before Election Day, October 31; don’t take a chance and wait that long.
Note that you do not have to use the US Postal Service to vote by mail. There is a drop box in every early voting location; walk past the line of voters for access. Also, six 24-hour permanent drop boxes are available until 7:00pm on Election Day, November 5. Click here for a complete list of drop box locations and their hours.
Note: Election Day polling places will NOT have drop boxes.
Attorneys and Other Poll Watchers Needed!
This year, more than ever, we must make sure that everyone eligible to vote is allowed to vote. The Tenth Dems/Lake Dems Election Protection team is already hard at work monitoring the polls and scheduling shifts. Early voting is underway and we need your help nearly every day through Election Day, November 5.
You don’t have to be a lawyer or an expert in election law to make a difference for voters. Training is available this evening, Wednesday, October 23, from 7 to 8:30pm in north suburban Cook County, and again on Sunday, October 27, at 4:00pm, online. Both sessions are free and open to Democrats. (Note to attorneys seeking CLE credit: Both sessions have been approved for 1.5 hours of FREE Professional Responsibility CLE.
When in the field, Tenth Dems/Lake Dems Election Protection Team members are never alone. Whether during early voting or on Election Day, experienced Election Protection Team leaders are available by phone to support you, troubleshoot, and answer your questions. We also publicize our Lake Dems Democratic Voter Assistance Hotline, 847-433-VOTE (8683), staffed by knowledgeable Election Protection Team attorneys so voters can call us directly with their questions and concerns.
Experienced attorneys lead the training sessions. Click here to be a part of the Election Protection Team to protect voting rights in our area during early voting and/or on Election Day, November 5.
Options include:
- Wednesday, October 23, from 7:00 – 8:30pm, north suburban Cook County location provided upon registration.
- Sunday, October 27, from 4:00 to 5:30pm, on Zoom
Hope to see you at the training and the polls.
Show Your Neighbors You Support Harris-Walz and Other Lake County Democratic Candidates
(We can deliver to Lake County and the 10th Congressional District)
For quicker delivery please order by going to lakedems.org/kamalasigns.
Would you like other Lake County Democratic candidates’ signs (all are free)? Enter your specific request in the “Anything else?” section of the order form.
Lake Dems Out and About
We love to include event photos in our newsletter! To be considered for inclusion, please send yours to info@lakedems.org with a brief description of the event. Have an event coming up? To submit future events for consideration for our website and emails: lakedems.org/submit-an-event.
Lake Dems Hosts Election Protection Team Training
United for Choice for Eric Rinehart with Personal PAC CEO Sarah Garza Resnick
Poll Watchers Observe Voter Signature Verification at the Lake County Clerk’s Office
Lake Dems Volunteer Alan Heyman Places Yard Signs at Early Voting Sites with State Senator Mary Edly-Allen
Coalition to Reduce Recidivism Luncheon
Fundraiser for Maria Peterson in Wauconda
Day of Action for Mary Edly-Allen and Joyce Mason
Day of Action for Mary Edly-Allen with IL Senate President Don Harmon
ICYMI (In Case You Missed It)
Special Edition Newsletter from the Lake County Clerk—November 5, 2024 General Election
What a Trump Presidency Could Mean for the Middle Class (yahoo!Finance)
Upcoming Events
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 23
Lake Dems Write Postcards in Highland Park. 2:00pm, Highland Park.
Mary Edly-Allen Bowling Night. 5:30pm, Round Lake Beach.
Election Protection Team Training. 7:00pm, location in north suburban Cook County provided upon registration.
THURSDAY, OCT. 24
Lake Dems REV (Reach Every Voter) Project Phone Bank in Prairie View. 6:00pm, address in Prairie View provided upon RSVP.
FRIDAY, OCT. 25
Fundraiser for Rep. Joyce Mason and Circuit Court Clerk Erin Cartwright Weinstein. 6:00pm, Grayslake.
SATURDAY, OCT. 26
Coffee and Talk with Antioch and Grant Township Democrats. 9:00am, Antioch.
Lake Dems Postcard Writing/Phone Banking/Texting in the Grayslake Office. 10:00am, Grayslake.
Roadway Clean-Up with Grant Township Democrats. 10:30am, Ingleside.
Lake Villa Dems Day of Action. 11:00am, Lindenhurst.
Petition Gathering for Jesse Rojo, Candidate for Village of Barrington Trustee. 11:00am, Barrington location provided upon RSVP.
Knock Doors with Lake Dems in Wisconsin for Harris-Walz. 12:00 noon to 3:00pm, carpools leave from multiple Lake County locations.
SUNDAY, OCT. 27
Knock Doors with Lake Dems in Wisconsin for Harris-Walz. 12:00 noon to 3:00pm, carpools leave from multiple Lake County locations.
Lake Villa Dems Day of Action. 1:30pm, Lindenhurst.
Election Protection Team Online Training. 4:00pm, online.
House Party for Eric Rinehart. 7:30pm, Highland Park address provided upon RSVP.
TUESDAY, OCT. 29
Ela Township Democrats Monthly Meeting. 7:00pm, online via Zoom.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 30
Lake Dems REV (Reach Every Voter) Project Phone Bank in Prairie View. 6:00pm, Prairie View address provided upon RSVP.
For the complete list of Upcoming Events, go to lakedems.org/events.
Click here to submit your event for consideration.
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.
