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2020 DEMOCRATS
U.S. President
U.S. Vice President
Kamala Harris Facebook Twitter
U.S. Senate
U.S. Representative District 5
Texas Railroad Commission
Supreme Court of Texas
Chief Justice
Justice, Place 6
Justice, Place 7
Justice, Place 8
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Place 3
Place 4
Place 9
State Board of Education
District 9
Texas House District 2
The County Clerk's website has General Election sample ballots. Page 1 has federal and state candidates; Page 2 has local elections. Sample Ballots
How to vote the equivalent of a straight-party ticket (Page 1 on ballots):
It is OK to print this sample ballot, bring it to the poll location, and use it as a reference when you vote.
202o ISSUES
Are you, like 25% of the people in Van Zandt County, 60+ years old?
Does your retirement plan depend upon Social Security and Medicare?
Donald Trump has proposed eliminating FICA payroll contributions, including those matched by employers. His proposal effectively defunds Social Security’s Old Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) and Medicare.
By 2023, your Social Security monthly payment would be ZERO ($0), and Medicare would be slashed.
"The Biden Plan will protect Social Security for the millions of Americans who depend on the program".
"Put Social Security on a path to long-run solvency. The impending exhaustion of the Social Security Trust fund imperils American retirement as we know it. Waiting to act only jeopardizes the program further, and will make an eventual solution that much more difficult. The Biden Plan will put the program on a path to long-term solvency by asking Americans with especially high wages to pay the same taxes on those earnings that middle-class families pay". - Joe Biden
In Van Zandt County, cow/calf production makes up about 1/3 of our agricultural market; in Texas, cattle are a $10 billion business.
Since February live cattle prices paid to ranchers have dropped over 18%, while wholesale beef prices, which consumers pay, have increased over 115%.
A bipartisan group of 19 senators from cattle production states requested action by the DOJ regarding market manipulation.
JOHN CORNYN did not sign-on.
From meat packing to court packing, it is time to send Fake-Ag John Cornyn packing. Support MJ!
2020 CAMPAIGNS
Kamala Harris
U.S. Vice President
Kamala Harris Facebook Twitter
Kamala Harris
Acceptance Speech
Democratic National Convention
Chrysta Castañeda
Texas Railroad Commission
Join Chrysta on Oct. 21 @ 5 PM
Virtual Town Hall Dallas, Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33) and Deputy Executive Director of the Texas Democratic Party, Cliff Walker
Bill Brannon
Texas House District 2
Bill Brannon Radio Spot -- "We Can Have a Strong 2nd Amendment and Common Sense Gun Laws"
POLITICAL VIDEOS
The Lincoln Project & VoteVets "Our Moment" (Sep 29, 2020)
"11 years ago, Sully was called for his moment. Now, we are all called to this moment.
Join Sully in regaining control of this nation's destiny by voting Donald Trump out".
The Lincoln Project "Trump NO Nos Quiere" (Sep 2020)
"Trump no solo le falta al respeto a la comunidad hispana. Los detesta.
Trump doesn’t just disrespect the Hispanic community. He detests them".
The Lincoln Project Aug 27, 2020
"Daughters"
"Dear Daughters, we want so much for you. We want you to grow up in American that believes in you.
Free of name calling.
Free of body shaming.
Free of bullying.
This is the America we want for you."
The Lincoln Project Aug 30, 2020
"Doc"
"You don’t need to be black to be outraged. You need to be American and be outraged."
Meidas Touch April 2020 The Snake
The Lincoln Project: "In 1984 Ronald Reagan’s campaign launched an iconic and memorable political ad called “Morning in America.” ‘Morning’ highlighted the positive impact of a first term Reagan presidency and presented an optimistic vision of an America that was prosperous and peaceful. Under Donald Trump, we instead face “Mourning in America.”
Morning in America - 1984: Reagan's vision and the Republicans' promise to America.
EVENTS
Nov 10, 7:00 PM Zoom Monthly Meeting
Agenda Item: Election Results
October Newsletter
Email us for Zoom Meeting Id
Monthly Meeting, 2nd Tuesday @ 7 PM:
Oct 22 @ 8 PM Presidential Debate
Email us for Biden/Harris
Yard Signs
"We’ve got to come together to defeat Donald Trump –– Democrats, Independents, Republicans, and yes, even Demo-cats". - Joe Biden
#CatsForBiden Volunteer! Make a Difference!
Join Team Joe - Joe Biden for President
Biden's Text-for-Joe
TDP Phone-Bank: Texas
Beto's Powered by People Texting Team
UPDATES
Dr. Carolyn Salter, candidate for U.S. Congress, will fight to keep Social Security and Medicare fully funded:
“No Texan should have Social Security, Medicaid or Medicare cut to fund tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires. We deserve patient-centered care, not profit-centered.” - Dr. Salter
She understands the importance of keeping our rural hospitals open, our retirees healthy and active, and our local economy booming.
Down Ballot Races
The down ballot race for Texas House District 2 is one of the MOST important races for Van Zandt County.
If you support keeping our public schools funded, accessible rural healthcare, and an economy that works for every Texan, you and Bill Brannon agree on the issues.
Another down ballot race that impacts our teachers and public schools is State Board of Education (SBoE), District 9.
Brenda Davis is a retired teacher who wants to represent teachers and rural school districts.
The SBoE has veto power over new charter school applicants. "Big-Ed" charter schools vacuum-up Texas tax dollars to benefit out-of-state corporations. Brenda Davis wants Texas tax dollars invested in Texas public schools and teachers.
As our representative to the SBoE, Brenda Davis would champion a curriculum that replaces standardized test-taking skills with one that teaches critical thinking skills.
Don't Stop at the Top!
The General Election Ballot WILL NOT have a straight-ticket Democratic Party option. Vote for EACH & ALL of these great Democratic Party candidates.
United States President/Vice President
Joseph R. Biden/Kamala D. Harris
United States Senator
Mary "MJ" Hegar
United States Representative District 5
Carolyn Salter
Vote for ALL Down Ballot Candidates
Railroad Commissioner
Chrysta Castañeda
Chief Justice Supreme Court
Amy Clark Meachum
Justice Supreme Court Place 6
Kathy Cheng
Justice Supreme Court Place 7
Staci Williams
Justice Supreme Court Place 8
Gisela D. Triana
Judge Court of Criminal Appeals Place 3
Elizabeth David Frizell
Judge Court of Criminal Appeals Place 4
Tina Clinton
Judge Court of Criminal Appeals Place 9
Brandon Birmingham
Member State Board of Education District 9
Brenda Davis
State Representative District 2
Bill Brannon
I VOTED
for the
Democratic Party!
How to vote the equivalent of a straight-party ticket:
It is OK to print this sample ballot, bring it to the poll location, and use it as a reference when you vote.
Barack Obama 2008 - "Yes We Can"
VOLUNTEER
Election Workers' Training
The County Clerk's office has posted a Training Schedule for election workers. Training will be at Old Canton City Hall. Contact them at 903-567-6503 to reserve a seat. No walk-ins.
Day Date Time
T Oct 6 6:30 PM
Sat Oct 10 10:00 AM
M Oct 12 10:00 AM
T Oct 13 6:30 PM
T Oct 20 6:30 PM
Election Workers Needed
What: General Election
Paid by VZ County: TBD (approx $100/day)
Where: VZ County Poll Locations
When: November 3, 7 AM - 7 PM
Register with the Texas Democratic Party: Election Day Worker
Use the Information Request Form to contact us with your name, phone number, & best time to call.
Phone-Bank: Congressional District 5
Volunteer for Chrysta, Texas Railroad Commission
Call/text for Texas candidates:
TDP Phone-Bank: Texas
Beto's Powered by People Texting Team
Join Team Joe - Joe Biden for President
Biden's Text-for-Joe
We need election workers for Nov 3. Register with the Texas Democratic Party: Election Day Worker
COVID-19
Stay Safe, Wear a Mask, Social Distance
The Lincoln Project: Sep. 2020 "Nobody"
"If you're over the age of 65, Donald Trump doesn't care whether you live or die."
"Trump Kills Texas"
Are you, like 25% of the people in Van Zandt County, 60+ years old?
"It affects virtually nobody," Trump says of the coronavirus, which has now killed 200,000 Americans and counting - Aaron Rupar
In Texas, over 16,000 people have died from COVID-19.
At his rally just now President Trump told supporters the coronavirus “affects elderly people...people with heart problems and other problems. That’s what it really affects. That’s it.” - Weijia Jiang
In Texas, 80% of COVID-19 deaths are people aged 60+; by race/ethnicity, 56% of the deaths are Hispanic.
The Lincoln Project: Le Creimos
"Donald Trump’s mismanagement of the COVID-19 pandemic has had an outsized impact on our nations’ Hispanic communities. That’s why we’re #UnidosContraTrump."
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 800 confirmed and probable cases, 28 deaths.
East Texas Community - Join
Dr Salter and Dr Gorby for their Facebook Live COVID-19 medical updates (Mondays and Fridays at 1:30 PM).
BALLOT TRACKING
The Texas SoS website has early voting turnout information, by day, including received and dropped-off VBM ballots.
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Select Election: 2020 Nov 3rd, Submit
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EV Turnout by Date: Select Date, Submit
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Look for Van Zandt County, Click Here (it is on the far right), which will download a list of received mail-in ballots in a spreadsheet format.
Van Zandt County has 38,968 registered voters
2020 General Election Turnout
EARLY VOTING, MAIL-IN, DROP-OFF
Total
Date In-Person Mail-In Total
Oct 4 9 9
5 12 12
9 146 146
12 --- 151 151
13 861 308 1169 ( 3.00%)
14 880 699 2440 ( 6.26%)
15 813 774 3328 ( 8.54%)
16 997 1000 4551 (11.68%)
17 895 1003 5449 (13.98%)
CLICK ON <dd> TO DOWNLOAD LIST
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Military and/or overseas voters, use the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) Ballot Tracker to track your ballot.
October 5, 2020
Voter Registration Deadline for
November 3 General Election Voting
VZ County Clerk
Early Voting - Check for Updates
Sample Ballots for General Election
Elimination of Straight-Party Voting - County Clerk's Office:
"House Bill 25, passed during the 85th Legislative Session, eliminated straight-party voting effective September 1, 2020.
If you wish to vote for all of the candidates affiliated with one party,
you should select each candidate one at a time on your ballot."
How to vote the equivalent of a straight-party ticket:
It is OK to print this sample ballot and use it as a reference when you vote.
October 13, 2020
First day of Early Voting
Old Canton City Hall
290 E. Tyler St.
Canton, TX
Early Voting Days and Times
T-F Oct 13 -16 8 AM - 5 PM
SAT Oct 17 8 AM - 5 PM
M-W Oct 19 - 21 8 AM - 5 PM
TH Oct 22 7 AM - 7 PM
F Oct 23 8 AM - 5 PM
SAT Oct 24 8 AM - 5 PM
M-W Oct 26 - 28 8 AM - 5 PM
TH Oct 29 7 AM - 7 PM
F Oct 30 8 AM - 5 PM
October 23, 2020 by 5 PM
Vote-by-Mail Applications must
be RECEIVED by the County Clerk's Early Vote Office
October 30, 2020
Last day of Early Voting
November 3, 2020
General Election
Last day (see rules) for ballot by mail.
GENERAL ELECTION
REGISTER TO VOTE
Are You Registered to Vote?
With all the Covid-19 disruption of our normal lives, many of us have had to put several things on the back burner to take care of later.
One of those things may be registering to vote. If you are not registered yet, but would like to be, we can help.
We have certified Van Zandt County Volunteer Deputy Voter Registrars available right now. Text 903-275-1064 to make arrangements to meet with one of our registrars to get you registered to vote in November.
October 5 is the deadline for registering for the November 3 general election.
Are You a Texas Student Voter, Living Away from Home?
If you are a student voter and living away from home, voting in November will take a bit of advance planning.
1) If you are registered at your parents' or guardian's address, one option is to request an absentee vote by mail ballot from the County Clerk, to be sent to your away from home address.
Applications to vote by mail must be received by Oct 23 at the County Clerk's Election Office. Send your application in as early as possible.
2) Or, plan to vote in person, either during early voting or on Nov 3, at the location corresponding to your voter registration address.
3) Or, change your registration to your new location. The deadline to change your registration is Oct 5.
Texas Secretary of State Information
Register2Vote will send you an application and a stamped envelope addressed to your County Voter Registrar's office.
Mail your application! You are not registered until your County Voter Registrar's office receives it.
Verify your voter ID document.
For voter registration questions, contact the Van Zandt County Clerk's office.
VOTE BY MAIL
How to request an application to Vote by Mail (VBM)
Vote by Mail (VBM): Request a ballot by mail application.
Protect your Vote by Mail ballot. Ensure your vote is counted. See VoteTexas for "Helpful Hints on Voting Early by Mail".
Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) for service members, their families, and overseas citizens
Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) ballot tracker for military and/or overseas ballots
Are You Concerned about Using the USPS to Return Your VBM Ballot?
The Governor of Texas recently issued a proclamation expanding VBM ballot drop-off options.
If you are concerned that there will not be enough time (allow AT LEAST 5 days) to mail-in your VBM ballot for the Nov 3rd election, you may drop-off your ballot (see instructions) at the County Clerk's Election Office.
You may drop-off your ballot anytime after you receive & complete it. You will need a valid ID, and you may only drop-off your own ballot.
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