Letter from the Chair - October 31, 2022
The news makes it truly feel like Halloween, and not in a good way. Remember that old saying, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me”? However, if the words are part of a Conspiracy theory or a political diatribe about an opponent - “the enemy,” some folks seem to think they have a mandate to use violence! We are, indeed, a democracy in decline.
Wake up, America!
Monroe County Election Update!
As of 5 pm Sunday, October 30, 21.6% of the vote is in.
Early Voting continues through 5 pm Saturday, November 5. The Keys Dems have 18 Poll Watchers on duty for the five polling locations throughout the Keys in addition to our attorney on duty.
Election day is November 8, from 7 am to 7 pm.
The Keys Dems are fielding 29 Poll Watchers who will be moving from Polling location to Polling location from Key West to Key Largo. They are trained to observe and report anomalies to our attorney on Duty. (there are 26 polling locations for our 33 precincts)
If you still have your mail-in-ballot, mail it NOW or drop in the Secure Ballot Intake Station, AKA, the DOP BOX available outside all early voting locations. These boxes are monitored all day and taken in after the polls close. Unlike Arizona, we do not have armed vigilantes scaring the crap out of voters who merely want to drop off their ballots.
Note – if you get a call from the Supervisor of Elections to let you know that the signature on your mail-in ballot does not match the signature on file, she is trying to help you “cure” that ballot so your vote will count. She does not have to do this. She is trying to help YOU! Don’t be an ASS!
For all things election and voting, click on this link: https://keysdems.com/voting/
Yesterday I was fortunate enough to happen to have the TV on and the voice I heard made me stop and watch. Pres. Obama was in Michigan rallying with Gov. Whitmer and others. I had forgotten what a great speaker he was! He is still the “Hope and Change” guy. And he cut right to the chase! Pres. Joe Biden is doing the same thing, in his own way, going from state to state and calling out the GOP BS! He will be in Miami on Tuesday for a rally with Charlie Crist, Val Demings, and others!
The Keys Dems have been busy as well.
We started a separate Fundraising initiative in 2021, the Seahorse Society, to help us raise money to support candidates. This year we have directly contributed a little over $20,000 to local & state level candidates. If you are interested in learning more about this initiative, click here: https://keysdems.com/join/
We have also invested in a digital marketing campaign that allows us to reach people in ways that door to door canvassing does not, and in the language of the voter! This initiative drives over 500 people a day to our website for information about candidates and other issues on the ballot. If you would like to support this effort, click here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/2022digital
We have addressed and mailed about 5000 postcards to voters in the last 2 weeks and our texting team has been busy reaching out to thousands of voters about the issues.
We could not have done any of these things without the support of our volunteers, donors, and Precinct Leaders!
THANK YOU!
Request for Election Day Sign-holders
You know how much you love seeing those folks on the corner waving the signs for their favorite candidate! Now is your chance to be one! See below for info on the person to contact for individual candidates.
Kim Highsmith – 954-249-4078
Adam Gentle – 305-709-9881
Sam Dorr for Robert Asencio – 786-417-0514
Charlie Crist – Bert Sise/Key West – 305-747-4569
Laurie Swanson – Marathon - 973-508-8741
Debra Walker – Key Largo – 305-394-5001
Hurricane Ian Recovery Info
If you have been impacted by Hurricane Ian and need help, you can apply for assistance in 2 ways.
1. Sign up online - https://www.disasterassistance.gov/get-assistance/address-lookup?isMap=false&address=33040
2. Call this number between 7 am and 11 pm 800-621-3362
November Events
Wednesday, November 2
- Key West Drinking Liberally will meet in the back room of Sally O’Brien’s at 5:30 pm.
Tuesday, November 8
- The Keys Dems will meet in the back room at VFW Post 3911, 2200 N Roosevelt Blvd in Key West, to watch the Election Returns starting at 7 pm.
Wednesday, November 16
- Key West NOW will meet at 5:30 pm in the back room at Sally O’Brien’s, on the corner of Flagler and Bertha. Guests will be the founders of Queer Keys.
Thursday, November 17
- The Keys Dems will hold their November meeting at 5:30 pm. This will be the only meeting of the month and will be a hybrid in-person/Zoom event from the Community Room at the Marathon Public Library. We will be showing the results and stats from the Election.
If everyone VOTES to restore sanity to our Democracy, we just might have something to truly be thankful for on Thanksgiving. Let’s make it happen!
I hope to see you soon!
Bert Sise/Chair
KeysDems
PS – Please feel free to share my Newsletter with like-minded friends and neighbors!