SD31 DFL This Week
November 1, 2024
ONE LAST MESSAGE
BEFORE THE BIGGEST ELECTION
OF OUR LIVES!
FINAL DAY OF VOTING:
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 5
Greetings, DFL Friends–
As this is being written, we have 4 days until Election Day. We all are getting pretty anxious by now, with all of the different polls flying around. Fortunately there are a number of good signs and a lot of DFL Folks with optimism out there. But meanwhile the GOP seems to be just getting more racist, misogynist, and violent in their rhetoric.
So all we can do is to keep doing our best, and to be true to our values. Let’s remind others of how important it is to care about honesty, compassion, and decency; and the Constitution and the Rule of Law. None of these should even be up of debate.
It is time for a new chapter in American history, charted by Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. It is time to heal our divisions. And yes, together we must find a new way forward, not back. It is now over to all of us to be sure that is the path we follow. Remember:
WHAT UNITES US IS GREATER THAN WHAT DIVIDES US!
VOTE, AND BE SURE OTHERS DO TOO!
- What You Need to Know to Vote/ Rides to the Polls
- Watch With Friends Election Night!
- Neighborhood Network Celebration Dinner 11/11
- This Week & Upcoming Events
- SD31 Monthly Meeting Info
- Candidate Campaign Links
- Open Positions- Andover Commissions
- Links You can Use
What You Need to Know to Vote
It is now too late to Vote by mail. Early in-person voting is in progress, and runs through Monday November 4th. Please consider voting early in case something comes up on the final day of voting, “Election Day,” Tuesday November 5th. Please share this information with your friends and family.
You can Register on Election Day— bring your paperwork!
- To register or update your voter registration click HERE (Register or Update Registration)
- To view your sample ballot click HERE (Sample Ballot)
- To find your polling place click HERE (Find Polling Place)
- Vote early in person
- Track your absentee ballot
– You can have an “agent” pick up and/or deliver your ballot.
– 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
DFL Rides to the Polls Program
If you are interested in volunteering as a driver, or you are out door knocking and a voter needs a ride, this is good information to know:
- Sign up for volunteer drivers: Volunteer drivers can sign up directly for a brief 30 minute training here, or call 651 251 6363 to sign up.
- Request a ride for voters: Voters should call our DFL Voter Protection Hotline at 1-833-335-8683 (1-833-DFL-VOTE) to request a ride.
- Contact: if you have any other questions, contact Josh Koenig, Deputy Voter Protection Director, at jkoenig@dfl.org or 703 872 9714.
- Other: We are still recruiting for bilingual drivers and Hotline workers if you have interested volunteers who speak languages other than English fluently.
WATCH THE ELECTION RESULTS WITH FRIENDS ON NOV 5!
When it has all been said and done…
Join the SD31-DFL Election Night Watch Party – November 5th
Make sure you don’t spend election night alone. Plan to attend an election night party and share the evening with like minded DFLer’s. Join our Local Candidates:
- GADISA BERKESSA
- DARA GRIMMER
- BETSY O’BERRY
SD31 has joined with Betsy O’Berry, County Commissioner candidate, for a watch party that evening at Aurelio’s Pizza. Aurelio’s has really been impacted by the construction on Highway 10 and they are extremely grateful that we are supporting them. Feel free to invite your friends and neighbors.
Date: Tuesday, November 5th
Time: Festivities start at 7:00pm
Location: Aurelio’s Pizza,
6415 US Hwy 10, Ramsey, MN 55303
NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORK CELEBRATION DINNER
MONDAY NOVEMBER 11 @ 6:00-8:00 PM
DAVANNI’s COON RAPIDS
If you have been involved with the Neighborhood Network this year, we are inviting you and your partner, if any, to a Celebration Dinner honoring the dedicated members and supporters of DFL SD31’s Neighborhood Network project.
Join us as we celebrate the commitment and faithful support that have propelled this project to its remarkable success.
“This special evening will be filled with a happy reflection on this year’s events and accomplishments as we look into next year’s opportunities and challenges. Together, let’s toast to our achievements and look forward to growing our political reach to even greater lengths next year.” Charlie, Carrie, Alyson, and Michael
Special Presentation by: HOPE 4 YOUTH
Date: November 11, 2024
Time: 6:00 pm to place your food order – Meeting starts at 6:30
Location: Davanni’s Coon Rapids Party Room at 3430 129th Ave, Coon Rapids
We look forward to celebrating with you!
Please note: To save our budget for next year’s activities, each of us will be responsible for our own food expenses.
Go to this link to reserve your spot:
https://
THIS WEEK & Upcoming Events
Every Saturday Morning— SD31 DFL Coffee Break 9-11 am
Starbucks in Andover Target, 2000 Bunker Lake Blvd
Next Dates: Oct 12, Oct 19, Oct 26
Future Anoka-Hennepin School Board Meetings:
Work Sessions-– 5:30 pm Education Services Center, 2727 Ferry St, Anoka.
NEXT: 11/4, 11/23, 2/10/2025
Regular School Board Meetings-6:30 pm, Sandburg Ed. Center, Anoka 1902 2nd Ave.
NEXT: 11/25, 12/9, 1/13/2025
Work Sessions allow for observation only but we need people to watch what is happening!
Major decisions are often made in these meetings, without a written record. We need observers to help keep the Board accountable, especially in this critical Budget period.
Also— the Board is seeking non-parent community members for its curriculum council. See this link or call these numbers for more information:
Community Curriculum Advisory Council
https://www.ahschools.us/Page/
763-506-1063
763-506-1066
763-506-1135
763-506-1162
And these events from Clean Elections Minnesota:
November is National Native American Heritage Month
Wednesday, Oct 30. “The Battle for Congress: What’s at Stake?” 12-1 CT via Zoom.
Monday, Nov 18, MinnPost Social: Election Debrief. 5:30 – 7:00 CT at the Minneapolis Cider Company.
Wednesday, Nov. 20, 1:30-3:00. Democracy Talks book club. 1:30 – 3:00, at St Joan of Arc Church, 4537 3rd Ave. So, Mpls 55419. Topic to be announced.
Wednesday, Nov. 20, 5:00-6:30 pm: Bimonthly CEM Board meeting
SD31 DFL Monthly Meeting– Our Last Gathering of the Year–
Be Sure to Join US!
Thursday, November 21
6:00 pm Social / 6:30 pm call to order
Andover Community Center
NO MEETING IN DECEMBER, AND THERE WILL BE A NEW MEETING DAY STARTING IN JANUARY 2024— The Second Tuesday of each Month, starting on January 14.
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— Primary August 13
Betsy O’Berry— District 1: Anoka, Ramsey, Nowthen, St Francis
Mike Gamache— District 5: Andover, Coon Rapids, Oak Grove
https://www.reelectmike.com/
OPEN POSITIONS ON ANDOVER ZONING AND NATURE PRESERVES COMMISSIONS— PLEASE APPLY!
The City of Andover has openings on their Planning and Zoning Commission and the Nature Preserve Commission. The deadline for these applications is December 13.
These commissions make a big difference in shaping the future of Andover. This is government by the people, at the most basic level. Please consider applying.
Check the links below for more information:
https://www.andovermn.gov/
https://www.andovermn.gov/253/
https://www.andovermn.gov/257/
Our editor has more information if you have questions:
info@VoteBlueMN.org
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:
https://www.commoncause.org/
Just Imagine the World if the fascists win:
“When Speech Becomes Sedition: Tales from Trumps ‘New America’”
By Thom Hartmann
https://hartmannreport.com/p/
Trump/Musk Plan to bring us “Temporary” Hardship and End Obamacare:
Read this from Heather Cox Richardson:
“Everyone’s going to have to take a haircut…” — Elon Musk
(By the Way, he means everyone besides himself)
https://heathercoxrichardson.
There is Still Time to..
HELP OUR TRUMP REMOVAL PROJECT AND GET YOUR REFUND.
Contribute whatever you can to SD31 DFL–
This year we must get out the vote to defeat Trump and elect as many democrats as we can.
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 print and fill the following document and send it in with your receipt.
https://mcusercontent.com/
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.
Thank you to everyone who has been working so hard. We need to be proud of all of our efforts to turn us away from the threat of fascism and dictatorship, and to make our communities better.
Every action we take helps bring 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!
Especially For the Next 4 days: DO IT NOW!
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
