GET INVOLVED
VOLUNTEER
We're Meeting In-Person.
2nd Saturday, 1:00 PM, American National Bank in Canton
TX SB#1, SB#8
OnTheDocket 9/3/2021:
Texas Voter Suppression Bill
"S.B. 1 bans these measures, which were particularly popular in urban, Democratic-leaning counties, and institutes a wide range of other restrictions which disproportionately impact low-income voters and people of color.
S.B. 1 also adds documentation requirements to vote by mail, makes it a felony for local election officials to proactively send mail-in ballot applications, empowers partisan poll watchers and more. "
Texas Extreme Abortion Law
"Texas’ new, extreme law (S.B. 8) bans abortion at about six weeks (before many individuals even know they’re pregnant) and allows private citizens to bring a civil suit against a person they believe helped someone get an abortion. Take action and donate to groups on the ground to support Texans who need help."
Marc [Elias]: "By refusing to grant emergency relief, Texas’ near-complete ban on abortions went into effect on Wednesday. Here’s the thing — Congress could pass a national law codifying Roe v. Wade, protecting the right to choose from further attack. They must do so and quickly".
Texas Planned Parenthoods Seek Restraining Order Against Anti-Abortion Group Over New Law
"Anti-abortion activists are already staking out our health centers, surveilling our providers, and threatening our patients,” said Helene Krasnoff, vice president for public policy litigation and law, Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “The physicians, nurses, and clinic staff at Planned Parenthood health centers in Texas — and at abortion providers statewide — deserve to come to work without fear of harassment or frivolous lawsuits.”
Link to donate to Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, Inc.
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.
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.
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."
The White House
President Biden
Victory Speech (Nov 7, 2020)
"This is the time to heal in America"
Vice President Harris
Victory Speech (Nov 7, 2020)
"I hope every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities."
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."
EVENTS
Come early to our Oct 9 meeting, and join us for lunch. Lunch provided, starts at noon. Meeting starts at 1 PM.
Monthly Meetings - In-Person!
Masks optional, but appreciated.
New Date - 2nd Saturday
New Time - 1 PM
New Location - ANBTX in Canton
Please join us on Saturday, Oct. 9 @ 1PM at the American National Bank in Canton (2nd Floor, Conference Room).
Agenda:
Meet Your State Democratic Executive Committee (SDEC2) Reps, Cristan Shamburger & Kendall Scudder
Constitutional Amendments Election
Oct. 9, 1:00 PM Monthly Meeting
Nov. 13, 1:00 PM Monthly Meeting
Monthly Meeting, 2nd Saturday @ 1 PM:
American National Bank in Canton
2nd Floor Conference Room
401 TX-243
Canton, TX 75103
Tyler, TX Women's March - Oct 2
Tyler Texas Women's March for East Texas
Saturday Oct 2, 2021, 9 AM - Noon
Register @ Women's March in Tyler, TX
Tyler Courthouse Square
T.B. Butler Fountain Plaza
149 W Erwin Street, Tyler
Women, men, & families welcome. Speakers, Music, Vendors welcome.
Mask up.
Women's March - October 2
Turn Rural Texas Blue: working to increase Democratic votes in non-urban & rural Texas.
ELECTION DATES
2021 Election Dates
Oct 4, 2021
Voter Registration Deadline for
Nov 2 Uniform Election Voting
VZ County Clerk
Oct 18, 2021
First Day of Early Voting
Oct 22, 2021 by 5 PM
Vote-by-Mail Applications must
be RECEIVED by the County Clerk's Early Vote Office
Oct 29, 2021
Last Day of Early Voting
Nov 2, 2021
Uniform Election Date
2021 Constitutional Amendments
Last day (see rules) for ballot by mail.
CANDIDATES
Justice of the Peace VZC Pct 4 Candidate
Sterilen Dean
Senate District 2 Candidate
U.S. House District 5 Candidates
Texas Attorney General Candidates
Texas Lt. Governor Candidate
Mike Collier for Texas Lt. Governor -
"For years, Democrats and Republicans alike have taken rural Texas for granted as the challenges facing rural Texans have continued to mount.
I kicked off my campaign in rural Texas for one reason: EVERY Texan in EVERY county deserves to have their vote earned.
I promise you this: I never have nor ever will take rural Texas for granted."
I VOTED
for the
Democratic Party!
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
Summer is here! Enjoy farm-fresh produce & support our local farmers & ranchers at the Canton Farmer's Market, the Heritage Park Farmers Market, & the Grand Saline Farmers Market.
Or donate by mail with a check:
Van Zandt County Democratic Party
P.O. Box 217
Canton, TX 75103
VOTE KIOSK
REGISTER TO VOTE
Are you registered to vote? Or need to update your voting address?
Register to Vote in 3 Easy Steps
For name changes or address changes WITHIN the county, update your voter registration on-line.
Fast, New, & Easy!
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.
A.
Change you voter registration to your away from home location (30 or more days before the election).
C.
Request an absentee ballot by mail from the VZ County Clerk's office, sent to your away from home location (as early as possible, but at least 10 days before the election).
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
5.
VBM ballots are sent out a few weeks before the election.Protect your VBM ballot from fraud with Helpful Hints from the Tx SoS.
6.
Complete your ballot and carefully follow the directions for its return. Sign the carrier envelope the same way as you signed your application in Step 3.
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?
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.
COVID-19
Stay Safe, Wear a Mask, Social Distance, Get Vaccinated
Texas COVID-19 Vaccinations
The Texas Department of State Health Services has the latest information about access to COVID-19 vaccinations.
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 58,000 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 6800 confirmed and probable cases, >1200 active cases, and 161 deaths.