GET INVOLVED
VOLUNTEER
BIDEN/HARRIS
January 20, 2021 Noon EST
"I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
President Biden: "We've learned again that democracy is precious. Democracy is fragile. And at this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed."
LEGISLATION
For the People Act of 2021 Passes the House
The For the People Act would mandate the use of paper ballots, require made in the U.S.A. voting equipment, establish independent commissions for state redistricting, and close loop holes for dark money election contributions.
It is supported by the League of Women Voters®:
"The For the People Act will create a stronger democracy with fairer elections for all Americans."
Brennan Center For the People Act Bill Analysis Guide
Link to the For the People Act (H.R. 1):
"This bill addresses voter access, election integrity and security, campaign finance, and ethics for the three branches of government. <...>"
Not one Texas House Republican supported this bill. They said NO to fairer elections, NO to paper ballots, NO to better election security, and NO to campaign finance transparency.
The Bulwark, a conservative, right-of-center publication, supports & explains H.R.1: H.R. 1 for Dummies.
"Perhaps most critically, H.R. 1 would also end the political parties’ control over drawing congressional districts—a process which is abused across the country, by both Democrats and Republicans, and which herds tens of millions of Americans into bizarre geographic constructions for the sole purpose of being able to win more races with same number of votes."
Daniel Dale's H.R. 1 Fact Check:
"Pence's op-ed, published on the Daily Signal website run by the conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation, was mostly filled with attacks on a Democratic elections reform bill known as HR 1."
Equality Act Passes House with Bipartisan Support
The House passed legislation that prohibits discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity pertaining to education, housing, and employment.
Hear Rep. Al Green, D-Houston, Texas, blast Republicans' opposition to the Equality Act with his passionate support of equality for all.
“You used God to segregate me in schools. You used God to put me in the back of the bus.”
"Have you no shame? God created every person in this room. Are you saying that God made a mistake? This is not about God, it’s about men who choose to discriminate against other people because they have the power to do so.”
SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow Biden-Harris on social media.
The White House
POTUS
VP
Vice President Harris
Victory Speech (Nov 7, 2020)
"I hope every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities."
President Biden
Victory Speech (Nov 7, 2020)
"This is the time to heal in America"
POLITICAL VIDEOS
Biden/Harris "Go From There"
(Oct 2020)
"It’s time we see each other as fellow Americans who live in — and love — the United States of America."
Vice President Harris:
We did it, Joe.
EVENTS
May 11, 7:00 PM Zoom Monthly Meeting
June 8, 7:00 PM Zoom Monthly Meeting
Agenda Item: 2021/2022
November Newsletter
Email us for Zoom Meeting Id
Monthly Meeting, 2nd Tuesday @ 7 PM:
UPDATES
President Biden Signs the American Rescue Plan
The American Rescue Plan:
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Sends $1400 stimulus checks directly to households
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Funds more vaccines
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Expands access to health care coverage
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Helps small businesses & local governments
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Extends unemployment benefits
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Offers relief to renters and struggling families
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Addresses decades of farm policy discrimination in rural America
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Gets children back to school safely
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And gets Americans back to work
Every Texas Republican in Congress who voted to give billionaires a tax cut in 2017 opposed the American Rescue Plan.
“Huge Victory”: Black Farmers Hail $5B in New COVID Relief Law to Redress Generations of Racism
"A major provision in President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill aims to address decades of discrimination against Black, Hispanic, Native American and Asian American farmers who have historically been excluded from government agricultural programs. <...>
John Boyd, a fourth-generation Black farmer and president of the National Black Farmers Association, says the new funds begin to address issues he has been fighting for 30 years. “This is a huge victory for Black farmers and farmers of color,” says Boyd."
Real Leadership
Mike Collier - Collier for Texas
“Abbott’s lack of foresight and inability to manage this crisis is part of a repeated pattern. He didn’t take action when Texans were displaced during Hurricane Harvey, he refused to plan appropriately for the coronavirus crisis, his handling of vaccine distribution has been abysmal, and now, in Texas’ time of greatest need during this winter storm, his incompetence is once again on full display. This isn’t partisan politics. This is a question of his basic ability to do the job he was elected to do. We’ve given Abbott chance after chance to prove that he can manage our state government and he’s failed to answer the call every single damn time.
On top of all of this, before even addressing Texans directly, Governor Abbott spent precious time spewing lies on right-wing television while again passing the blame off to somebody else. This is the classic Abbott playbook: lie and do whatever it takes to not take responsibility for your actions."
I VOTED
for the
Democratic Party!
ELECTION DATES
2021 Election Dates
Jan 13 - Feb 12, 2021
Candidate Filing Dates (ISD Board of Trustees, City Offices & Council)
Apr 1, 2021
Voter Registration Deadline for
May 1 Local Election Voting
VZ County Clerk
Apr 19, 2021
First Day of Early Voting
Apr 20, 2021 by 5 PM
Vote-by-Mail Applications must
be RECEIVED by the County Clerk's Early Vote Office
Apr 27, 2021
Last Day of Early Voting
May 1, 2021
Local Election
Last day (see rules) for ballot by mail.
VOLUNTEER
Barack Obama 2008 - "Yes We Can"
TX DEM TRAINING
If you are a Volunteer Deputy Voter Registrar (DVR), you will need to re-certify in 2021. Tx Democrats DVR & Voter Registration
For DVR training & test questions go to the Texas SoS. Or check out the League of Women Voters® of Texas.
If you are a DVR in one county, you may submit a Request for Appointment as a Volunteer Deputy Registrar to become a DVR in another county (see Texas SoS BW2-1) .
Sign up for a DVR virtual training event through Beto's Powered by People. You do not need to live in Harris or Travis county to do the training.
Activism, Organizing, VAN: Free On-line Training
COVID-19
Stay Safe, Wear a Mask, Social Distance, Get Vaccinated
Van Zandt & East Texas Vaccination Sites
Still looking for a COVID-19 vaccination? Try these locations, recheck often:
Bruce and Human Drug, Wills Point
Texas COVID-19 Vaccinations
The Texas Department of State Health Services has information about hub providers, community providers, & vaccine availability.
Are you, like 25% of the people in Van Zandt County, 60+ years old?
In Texas, 80% of COVID-19 deaths are people aged 60+; by race/ethnicity, almost half of the deaths are Hispanic. Over 48,000 people have died.
CDC - Data & Vaccinations
COVID Data Tracker
TEXAS
COVID-19 Updates COVID-19
Texas Health and Human Services
VAN ZANDT COUNTY
NET Health (Northeast Texas, includes Van Zandt County)
Van Zandt County: over 4100 confirmed and probable cases, 100+ active cases, and 69 deaths.
PBS News Hour: Biden, Harris speak at memorial to COVID-19 victims ahead of inauguration
VOTE KIOSK
REGISTER TO VOTE
Are you registered to vote? Or need to update your voting address?
Register to Vote in 3 Easy Steps
Voter registration cards usually arrive in about 30 days.
Questions about registering to vote? We can help. Text 903-275-1064 to reach one our volunteers.
STUDENT VOTERS
Are you a Texas student voter, living away from home?
You can vote! Choose either A, B, or C - they all require a bit of advance planning.
VOTE BY MAIL
Stay Safe and Vote By Mail (VBM) -
How to Request to VBM
2.
Request a VBM application from the VZ County Clerk's Election Office.
3.
Fill-out & sign your VBM application. Keep a copy of your signed application.
When Your VBM Ballot Arrives
7.
Mail-in your carrier envelope/ballot as soon as possible. Allow at least 5 days for delivery.
FPCA Voters
Service members, their families, and overseas citizens may request an absentee ballot using a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) through the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP).
Make Sure Your Vote Counts - Avoid These Common Errors
No signature on carrier envelope. Before you drop your carrier envelope in the mail, double-check to verify that it is signed.
Ballot received too late.
With a few exceptions, ballots must be RECEIVED (not postmarked) at the VZ County Clerk's Office by election day.
Signature on carrier envelope does not match application.
For households with more than 1 person voting by mail - before you sign, verify that the printed name on the carrier envelope is your name.
Do not sign the carrier envelope for other members of your household.
Carrier envelope contains more than 1 ballot.
A carrier envelope can contain only 1 ballot. Do not bundle ballots together.
Are you concerned about using the USPS to return Your VBM ballot?
The Governor of Texas issued a proclamation expanding VBM ballot drop-off options for the November general election.
If you are concerned that there will not be enough time (allow AT LEAST 5 days) to mail-in your VBM ballot for the election, you may drop-off your ballot (see instructions) at the County Clerk's Election Office. You will need a valid ID, and you may only drop-off your own ballot.
