DPDAC UPDATE – June 2020
Dear Democrats of Doña Ana County:
This month’s update contains a statement on current events, a summary of how people voted in the recent Primary Election, a reminder of how to participate in the post-primary process for selecting delegates to the Democratic National Convention, how to volunteer to help “Get out the Vote” in the November election, a description of our community blog, and information about the next meeting of the County Executive Committee.
STATEMENT ON CURRENT EVENTS
As individuals and as members of DPDAC, it is essential to reflect and comment on the recent deaths and demonstrations. In the words of Eddie Estrada, our 1st Vice Chair:
“We have recently watched thousands speak out against the systemic racism that has led to the deaths of so many American citizens. The Democratic Party of Doña Ana County supports the freedom of speech, the right of the people to peacefully assemble, and the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances. When citizens speak out, their government should listen. It is important that we take the time to reflect upon the anger and frustration of those protesting and look for ways that our government and its agents can improve upon how they serve their communities. We cannot allow racism, violence, or institutional policies to deny due process for American citizens. DPDAC stands in solidarity with those protesting systemic racism and police misconduct on the frontlines and from home. We believe that racism and oppression have no place in our country.”
PRIMARY ELECTION SUMMARY
Thanks to all of you that voted in the June 2nd Primary Election! Full election results for each race in the State can be found at on the Secretary of State’s website .
For the Primary election, there were 88,932 eligible voters in Doña Ana County. These are people who are registered as members of the Democratic, Republican, or Libertarian Party. Of those, 26,504 (29.3%) voted. At first glance, this does not seem to be a great turnout, but the total number of voters this year was approximately 9,600 more than in the 2016 Primary. The overall voter turnout State-wide was 421,934 (42.46%), which is approximately 201,000 more voters than in the 2016 Primary.
According to press releases from the Doña Ana County Clerk’s office, at least 13,000 voters in Doña Ana County used absentee ballots. In 2016, only 588 people used absentee ballots! It is great that so many heeded the call to protect the health of voters and poll workers.
POST-PRIMARY DELEGATE SELECTION REMINDER
There is still time and several ways for YOU to be involved in the selection of New Mexico’s delegates to the 2020 Democratic National Convention (DNC), which is scheduled to be August 17-20 in Milwaukee, WI. The format of the Convention is still uncertain, but it is increasingly likely that it will be a hybrid of in-person and virtual or completely virtual.
You can participate by being an Elector, a Delegate, and/or a Standing Committee Member (Yes, you can be all three!) Here are links to the full delegate selection plan and all registration forms.
Be an Elector:
These are the people who will vote on who will represent New Mexico as a delegate at the DNC. You qualify to be an Elector if you have been a registered Democrat in New Mexico since on or before May 6, 2020. If you have friends/relatives that are hoping to be delegates to the DNC, be sure to sign up as an Elector so you can vote for them!
To become an Elector, simply fill out the form available in English or Spanish by June 11th. As an Elector, your responsibility will be to vote electronically on three dates:
June 13 – Election of CD2-level DNC delegates
June 19 – Election of Party Leader and Elected Official DNC delegates
June 20 – Election of At-Large DNC delegates
Be a Delegate:
Although the deadline has passed to apply to be a CD2-level delegate, there are still two opportunities for you to become a convention delegate.
To apply to be:
- A Party Leader/Elected Official (PLEO) delegate, complete the form available in English or Spanish by June 14th.
- An At-Large delegate, complete the form available in English or Spanish by June 14th.
Be a DNC Standing Committee Member:
There are three committees at the DNC that need a member from New Mexico – the Convention Platform Committee, the Convention Rules Committee, and the Convention Credentials Committee. To apply, complete the application formby June 14th.
GEARING UP/VOLUNTEERING FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION ON NOVEMBER 3
There are less than 5 months until the November election! We have lots of work to do so that Democrats are elected up and down the ballot. To make this happen, we have to reach voters in all corners of Doña Ana County!
Voter outreach is expected to look very different this year. That is, usual activities such as house parties, knocking on doors, and spreading the word at festivals and parades are likely to remain limited due to the public health emergency. So, older methods (sending mail, making phone calls, etc.) as well as newer technologies (sending texts, hosting online events, sharing social media posts, etc.) will be needed.
DPDAC needs volunteers for our “Get out the Vote” efforts. We invite anyone who is interested in getting involved to fill out this form to let us know your current contact information and preferences for volunteer activities.
Field Directors for individual candidates and the Coordinated Campaign are also preparing their plans and they will also be asking for volunteers to help with their activities. As a start, you can sign up here for virtual phone banking for Xochitl Torres Small on Thursday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m.
COMMUNITY BLOG
We are testing a new blog on our website as a method to spark discussion within the Democratic community. We are currently sharing frequent writings of two authors. Click here to view recent topics including health care, the coronavirus pandemic, conspiracy theories, and the need to restore common sense to government. If you would like to share with the community through the blog, please email dpdacnm@gmail.com. All contributions will be reviewed and must be approved before being posted.
NEXT MEETING OF COUNTY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The next meeting of the DPDAC County Executive Committee will be on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. The main topic of discussion will be how to “Get out the Vote” in the age of digital campaigning. Register to attend the meeting by clicking here. Watch your email the day of the meeting for the link to use to join the meeting.
DPDAC UPDATE – May 2020
Dear Democrats of Doña Ana County:
This month’s update contains a reminder of the important and easy process of voting by absentee ballot in the June 2020 primary election, describes the post-primary process for selecting delegates to the Democratic National Convention, and announces a special event with US Representative Xochitl Torres Small.
VOTING BY ABSENTEE BALLOT
Cases of covid-19 continue to rise in Doña Ana County. In order to protect the health of voters, poll workers, and election officials, you are strongly encouraged to vote by absentee ballot in the June 2020 primary election. Your request for an absentee ballot must be made by Thursday, May 28. A helpful step-by-step video may be viewed by clicking here.
To request your ballot:
- Go to NMVote.org or call the Doña Ana County Clerk’s office at 575-647-7421 to confirm that your voter registration is up-to-date.
- Fill out the absentee ballot request at NMVote.org, call the Doña Ana County Clerk’s office, or complete the paper application that you should receive in the mail.
To complete your ballot:
- Fill the circles on the “Official Primary Election Ballot” next to the names of the people for which you wish to vote.
- Place your ballot in the “Official Inner Envelope”, seal the inner envelope, then place it in the “Official Ballot Return Envelope.”
- Fill out the required information on the back of the “Official Ballot Return Envelope”, which is your signature, your printed name, your birth year, the election date: 6/2/20, your address: number and street, city, state, zip code, and your county.
- Seal the “Official Ballot Return Envelope” and drop in the mail or deliver to a voting location. All absentee ballots must be RECEIVED by the County Clerk by 7:00 p.m. on June 2.
To check on the status of your application or ballot:
You can follow the status of your absentee ballot application and find out when the Clerk has received your vote at NMVote.org .
To help get the word out:
Many thanks if you have already voted absentee, but your job is not over. Please help get the word out by contacting 5 family members or friends so they know to do the same steps. You can also volunteer for the DPNM phone banking program to reach Democrats throughout the state by contacting Kim or Barbara at info@nmdemocrats.org.
POST-PRIMARY DNC DELEGATE SELECTION PROCESS
The streamlined process for selecting New Mexico delegates to the Democratic National Convention has now been approved by the Democratic National Committee! There are several ways for YOU to be involved and have your voice heard – as an Elector, a Delegate, and/or a Standing Committee Member (Yes, you can be all three!) Here are links to the full delegate selection plan and all registration forms.
Be an Elector:
As described earlier, the usual precinct meetings and county conventions will not be held this year. Instead, your opportunity to vote for who you wish to be DNC delegates will be by becoming an Elector at the virtual CD2 and State-level Conventions. You qualify to be an Elector if you have been a registered Democrat in New Mexico since on or before May 6, 2020.
To become an Elector, simply fill out the form available in English or Spanish by June 11th. As an Elector, your responsibility will be to vote electronically on three dates:
June 13 – Election of CD2-level DNC delegates
June 19 – Election of Party Leader and Elected Official DNC delegates
June 20 – Election of At-Large DNC delegates
Be a Delegate:
There are three opportunities for you to become a member of the New Mexico delegation to the 2020 Democratic National Convention, which is scheduled to be August 17-20 in Milwaukee, WI. At this point, the format of the Convention is still uncertain; options include in-person, a hybrid of in-person and virtual, or completely virtual.
To apply to be:
- A CD2-level delegate, complete the form available in English or Spanish by May 22nd.
- A Party Leader/Elected Official delegate, complete the form available in English or Spanish by June 14th.
- An At-Large delegate, complete the form available in English or Spanish by June 14th.
Be a DNC Standing Committee Member:
There are three committees at the DNC that need a member from New Mexico – the Convention Platform Committee, the Convention Rules Committee, and the Convention Credentials Committee. To apply, complete the application formby June 14th.
SPECIAL EVENT WITH US REPRESENTATIVE XOCHITL TORRES SMALL
We are extremely pleased to announce “A Virtual Visit with US Representative Xochitl Torres Small” as a special edition of the County Executive Committee Meeting on May 27 at 6:30 p.m. After the visit with the Congresswoman, there will be time for current candidates to speak. To register for the event click here . Watch your email on the 27th for the link and password to access the meeting.
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