SD31 DFL This Week
September 23, 2024
VOTING HAS STARTED IN MINNESOTA!
- This week
- What You Need to Know to Vote
- SD31 Monthly Meeting Info
- Other Upcoming Events
- Candidates
- Neighborhood Network
- Links You can Use
Greetings, DFL Friends–
It is a beautiful sunny fall day. And as we slide into autumn, we are moving into the final weeks of this crucial election season.
As of last Friday. Early voting has started in Minnesota. Look for another email with “Sample Ballots” based on Mel Aanerud’s “picks”— his recommendations for the best progressive and common-sense candidates in elections in SD31 and Anoka County.
Meanwhile, many DFL’ers have been putting up signs around the District— watch for the signs and consider helping with this or other activities going on. See below for more about Neighborhood Network events.
It is an exciting time, with Harris making progress in the polls— and the gop seeming to be faltering in their weirdness and xenophobic hatred. But it will take all of us to prevent them from “winning” and making Project 2025, Mass Deportations, Abortion Bans, and right wing religious conformity into reality.
So PLEASE do whatever you can to help the Harris momentum keep building!
And there seems to be a new atmosphere locally too. Our SD31 Candidates are knocking doors and getting signs up around the district, with a surprising amount of support. Pitch in, in whatever way you can. Gadisa and Dara need your help!
And we need people to attend School Board meetings, especially in Anoka-Hennepin where a major budget shortfall is threatening many aspects of quality and open-minded education. Make a plan to attend and keep the Board accountable— see details below.
Peter
SD31 DFL Communications
THIS WEEK
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 23
Anoka-Hennepin School Board Meeting
Regular Meeting @ Board Room, Sandburg Education Center in Downtown Anoka
6:30 PM
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 26:
DFL Reproductive Freedom Get-Together
The DFL Neighborhood Network is serving pizza at a FREE get together on Thursday, September 26 in Minnesota Congressional District 31B for anyone who believes the Gov’t should “Mind It’s Own D*MN Business!” when it comes to a woman’s body.
Kamala Harris: ‘Nobody Will Be Safe’ With a National Abortion Ban:
https://youtube.com/shorts/
Go to the Neighborhood Network to RSVP and get your free tickets.
https://
Seating is limited so reserve spots for you and your friends now.
Thursday, Sept 26
6:00 PM
Ham Lake Lanes and Lounge, 16465 MN-65, Ham Lake, MN
MONDAY OCTOBER 7
Anoka-Hennepin School Board Meeting
Work Session—Observation Only but we need people to watch what is happening!
These are often the meetings where the real decisions get made, and there are no notes or record. We need eyes and ears to keep the Board accountable.
5:30 pm Education Services Center, 2727 Ferry St, Anoka.
What You Need to Know to Vote
(from Clean elections MN— See link below)
Election Day is Tue., Nov. 5th 2025. Early voting starts Fri., Sept. 20. You can vote absentee — see these links for details:
– You can have an “agent” pick up and/or deliver your ballot.
– Mail-in ballots must be received by Election Day, so mail early.
– Details you need to know, including polling sites, can be accessed via this link:
https://www.sos.state.mn.us/
- Need more help? Call 1-877-600-8683 or your county election office
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SD31 DFL Monthly Gathering & Business Meeting
Our last monthly gathering was held on Sept 19.
Next SD31 DFL Meeting:
Thursday, October 17
6:00 pm Social / 6:30 pm call to order
Andover Community Center
(Agenda in preparation)
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Other Upcoming Events:
Check out our website for more info:
VoteBlueMN.org
Every Saturday Morning— DFL Coffee Break 9-11 am
Starbucks in Andover Target, 2000 Bunker Lake Blvd
Next Dates: Sept 28, Oct 5, Oct 12, Oct 19, Oct 26
Future Anoka-Hennepin School Board Meetings:
Here are the dates for the rest of the year— make a note:
Work Sessions: 5:30 pm Education Services Center, 2727 Ferry St, Anoka.
NEXT: 10/7, 11/4, 11/23, 2/10/2025
Regular School Board Meetings-6:30 pm, Sandburg Education Center in Anoka 1902 2nd Ave
NEXT: 9/23, 10/28, 11/25, 12/9, 1/13/2025
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SD31 Candidate Campaigns
Gadisa Berkessa 31B
(Eastern Andover, Ham Lake, Oak Grove, East Bethel, Linwood, Athens)
https://gadisa4mn.com/
Dara Grimmer 31A
(Ramsey & Western Andover)
https://vote4grimmer.com/about
County Commission Races
These are nonpartisan races. SD31 members tend to support these progressive candidates— be sure to help them out if you can:
Betsy O’Berry— District 1: Anoka, Ramsey, Nowthen, St Francis
Mike Gamache— District 5: Andover, Coon Rapids, Oak Grove
https://www.reelectmike.com/
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NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORK
See above for more about our Reproductive Freedom Event on Thursday 9/26!
Networkers Rally October 26- Saturday
We have Only 1 more big Rally to send letters— before the election— We need help addressing envelopes!
The Neighborhood Network is our very own grassroots project, reaching over 3000 voters in our district. You can help us put together and send out one mailing to our neighbors in October. Mailing about 25 letters will make a big difference!
Neighborhood Network Has Signs!
The NN has Harris/Walz signs that Charlie will bring to next Saturday’s Coffee Break. These signs are “free” but we will ask for an optional donation of $3 or more depending on the voter’s situation.
Donate Stamps to the NN…
Another great way to help is donating stamps—you can drop them off at the DFL Coffee Break.
If you want to find out more, or if you are not able to attend, email Charlie at
Outreach@VoteBlueMN.org
or call 763.200.1078.
If you would like to support our project financially here is the link:
https://secure.actblue.com/
Join us and share in all the good DFL energy!
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Links You Can Use
Keep checking our SD31 DFL Website: VoteBlueMN.org
Are You Sure You Are Registered to VOTE?
Check out this Common Cause site:
League of Women Voters Candidate Forums
https://www.vote411.org/
Tuesday Sept 24
Ham Lake City Council
Submit questions: https://forms.gle/
The Refuge Golf Club | 21250 Yellow Pine Street NW | Oak Grove, Minnesota 55011
For Completed LWV Forum Recordings:
https://www.lwvmn.org/2024-
Clean Elections MN
What you need to know to vote in MN General Election:
https://mailchi.mp/
Thom Hartmann:
Trump and Johnson’s Shocking Bid to Suppress Women’s Votes
This is Not What Real Men Do
Heather Cox Richardson:
On the effect of Biden/Harris policy on US reduction in Overdose deaths + the gop’s self-proclaimed “Black Nazi” in North Carolina:
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HELP OUR HARRIS-WALZ SUPPORT WORK and TRUMP REMOVAL PROJECT—
AND GET YOUR REFUND!
Contribute whatever you can to SD31 DFL–
This year we must get out the vote to ELECT HARRIS and WALZ, and our LOCAL MN Candidates, and defeat Trump.
If you have not already done so, contribute to us and then GET A FULL REFUND for any amount up to $75 per person.
After donating at VoteBlueMN.org, just go to this site to find, print, and fill the following document— then send it in with your receipt:
https://cfb.mn.gov/citizen-
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Your SD31 DFL Leadership
Co-Chair: Alyson Gullette
Co-Chair: Leslie Pendergast
Secretary: Wes Volkenant
Treasurer: George Drew
Outreach Officer: Charlie Baarsch
Communications Director: Peter Miller
Email Updates and Submissions
Newsletters and other Emails from SD31 DFL will typically be sent out on Monday or Tuesday, but only if there is new information or announcements that need to be sent as reminders. And more often during the lead-up to the election. If you have an item to share, please submit it by noon on Friday to info@VoteBlueMN.org
We also welcome longer items for our website if you have articles, blogs, or letters that you would like to share! Check the site out at VoteBlueMN.org.
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Thank you to all who are working hard to make our communities, state, nation, and world better, and turning away from all the hatred. Every small bit helps defeat the extremists, brings civility and sanity and joy back into our lives, and helps build a more unified country where EVERYBODY COUNTS and No One is left behind.
Step by Step, Always Together, Always Forward!
Peter
SD31 Communications
info@VoteBlueMN.org
Our Core Values: A Good Economy for Working Families; Fighting Hatred and Racism; Liberty and Justice for ALL— including Women’s rights and reproductive freedom; Taking care of our Home– the Earth
Our Moral Guideposts: Love Your Neighbor; Truth, Justice and Compassion; Non-Violence; Showing up to Do Your Part
