Prescott Indivisible’s GOTV Effort – the Voter Values Project
and other volunteer opportunities
So many people ask us how we keep going because they are so depressed by the current administration and the relentless blows to our democracy to do anything. I personally give them all this answer: first of all, I am an optimist and secondly, Volunteer! Volunteer!
You will meet like-minded people whom you can talk to! You will know that you did your best to turn things around! So, what to do?
- Assist the grassroots “Voter Values Project” that Prescott Indivisible has formed. The goal of this effort is to contact Independents and find out what their issues are. Then there will be follow up with information on candidate’s views on their issue and reminders to vote. To volunteer with this effort, please fill out this Survey form. After submission, you see a thank you screen and receive a copy of your form. Mavis Brauer, the Volunteer Coordinator, or a member of this team, will be in touch with you. A huge thanks to the many Prescott Indivisible members who have volunteered. We will need many more to make the Voter Values Project effective.
- Help the 2020 candidate campaigns–you can volunteer for John Lutes, running for Yav Co. Board of Supervisors or Judy Stahl, LD1 candidate for the AZ House.
- Every item in this issue of Persist and Resist offers you something positive to do. Think about how fortunate we are to have such an entree of actions. Take advantage of it–Volunteer!
Presidential Preference Election Information
Presidential Preference Election Ballots – You should have received your ballot by mail this week. If you did not receive it, make sure that you are registered as a Democrat. If you are, contact the Yavapai Co. Board of Elections,1015 Fair Street, Prescott. Call: (928) 771-3250.
The ballot is cumbersome and many candidates have dropped out, but it was required by law, that they be printed by Dec. If you have questions, go to the AZ Sec. of State website.
- A new state law requires all in-person voters, including people who vote early in-person, to show acceptable identification. A list of acceptable identification options is available at this link: https://azsos.gov/elections/voting-election*
- Voters should also note that candidates who have publicly suspended their campaigns for president are listed on the ballot. For a list of withdrawn candidates, visit http://go.azsos.gov/k4y7*
- *These are external links, if you get a message box, select azsos.gov.
- For more information on the 2020 Presidential Preference Election, visit Arizona.Vote.
- It is recommended that you wait until the results are in from Super Tuesday before making your ballot selection.
Help Outlaw Dirty Money – collect petitions during the Presidential Preference Election on March 17.
Please contact Diane McQueen – diane@outlawdirtymoney.com to volunteer. Diane will put together a schedule so you can show up to gather signatures, etc. at various vote centers. All needed tools and training, plus a partner (should you want one) are provided. You will be given a green ODM t-shirt to wear since it’s St. Paddy’s Day. She will be at the Democratic Women of the Prescott Area’s monthly luncheon meeting on Wed., Feb. 26, 11am-1pm at the Centennial Center, 1989 Wineglass Rd., Prescott. If you want to come to the meeting and sign up, please do so. Reservations are required.
Important – AZ Legislature Crossover Week
February 24th begins crossover week at the State Legislature. Few Committees will meet but there will be mega Floor Sessions to get Bills passed in their Chamber of origin. The Legislative Weekly gives a complete description of how Crossover works and how to stay active. The bills to be voted on in the Floor of the House and Senate are not be posted until the night before. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights check back to the AZ Legislative Weekly Update link for their recommended bills, and decide which ones to call about. RTS does not operate for Floor votes, so calls and emails must be made with little notice.
WHAT IS NEEDED ARE CALLS TO OUR LEGISLATORS’ OFFICES.
Sen. Karen Fann – (602) 926-5874
Rep. Noel Campbell – (602) 926-3124
Rep. Steve Pierce – (602) 926-5584
If a bill has not been assigned to committee by now it is considered dead (although they have a workaround for that, you can learn about zombie bills here) and each chamber is beginning to hear the other chamber’s bills that have passed through their committees. Which means we get a second chance to support the really good bills we have seen this session, as well as a second chance to stop the really bad ones. These are also covered in the AZ Legislative Weekly Update.
SAVE OUR SCHOOLS
THE LD1 SAVE OUR SCHOOLS TEAM (JoAnne Chaffeur, Nicky Indicavitch, and Marta Samuelson) ask you to read the SOSAZ’s Weekly Legislative Brief.
- They request that you contact Sen. Pres. Fann at 602-926-5874 & KFann@AZLeg.gov and thank her for pulling SB1224 from Monday’s agenda, and ask her to not allow a full vote to take place. (Suggested script: “Hi, my name is ______. I am calling to thank President Fann for pulling SB1224 from this week’s agenda and I ask that she not allow a full vote to take place. We need to keep our taxpayer dollars here. We need to invest and fund the schools we have in our own amazing state. Thank you!”
- Please contact Senate President Karen Fann at 602-926-5874 & kfann@azleg.gov and ask them to oppose SB1224 should it come to a floor vote.(Suggested script: “Hi, my name is __________ and I live in LD 1. I have been watching SB1224 and was thankful to learn that it had been pulled from this week’s agenda. Should it come to a floor vote, please ask Senate President Karen Fann to oppose SB1224, keep AZ taxpayer dollars in AZ, and focus on funding and investing in Arizona schools. Thank you!”
Local Happenings of Note – Week of Feb. 24th
- Tues. Feb. 25, 6pm Yavapai Co. CAN Phone Bank to talk to voters here in the Prescott area and invite them to the immigration screening of Stories Beyond Borders on Feb. 26. Prescott College (310 Grove Ave), free pizza.
- Tues. Feb. 25, 5-8:30p Two films sponsored by Slow Food and Prescott College Sustainability Program – Dive! – 5-6 pm Follow Jeremy Seifert and his circle of friends as they dumpster dive in the back alleys and gated garbage receptacles of L.A.’s supermarkets. The Need To Grow, 6:30-8:30 pm. With an estimated 60 years of farmable soil left on Earth, look into the hearts of activists and innovators in the food movement. Held at the Prescott College Crossroads Center, 215 Garden St., Prescott.
- Wed. Feb. 26 5p Prescott Grand Old Broads for the Wilderness will meet at the old café tables at the Prescott Pubic Library. Let Barbara Jacobsen know you are coming and she will save your seats in the Founders Room for the filming of Stories Beyond Borders. Text: 928-848-3914 or email: bajacobsen@yahoo.com
- Wed. Feb. 26 6-8 pm Screening of Stories Beyond Borders ** Screening of five short films to spark dialogue and action on immigration ** Prescott Public Library, Founders Rooms A&B. Sponsored by: Prescott Area Immigration Coalition, Prescott Indivisible Immigration Team, Keep Prescott Together, and Yavapai County Community Action Network.
- Think about this as you watch Stories Beyond Borders: “The wilderness and the environment are intricately connected to immigration issues. For the former, it’s all about the wall and how that is affecting fragile ecosystems down in southern Arizona not to mention Texas, New Mexico, California. There’s also the issue of wildlife migration which will be impeded, made impossible, by any kind of wall. Now, for climate change. There is a very strong link between the significant droughts that have been affecting Central America and the increased exodus of people from that area to come to the US. Their subsistence economy is no longer viable nor sustainable.”
- Thurs. Feb. 27 noon Julia Watson of Prescott Indivisible’s Education Team will present “Why Public Schools are Struggling” at OLLI’s Munch and Learn at the Yavapai College Community Room, the Library, Bldg. 19.
- Fri. Feb. 28 and Sat. Feb. 29 6:30 pm doors open, 7 pm performance of the Vagina Monologues. Judy Stahl will be there on the 28th at 6:30. Prescott Indivisible and DWPA will be tabling, so look for our volunteers. Held at the Crossroads Center, Prescott College, 215 Garden St., Prescott.
- Sat. Feb. 29 5-7 pm 7th Annual Share the Love Benefit for the Launch Pad Teen Center, Holiday Courtyard on Whiskey Row, Prescott. Please RSVP by 2/25 to Courtney Osterfelt, 928-632-2996. There is no ticket price for this event. You are invited to “share the love” and give from your heart. Please consider that wine, food and entertainment is provided.
Sign Mark Kelly’s Petition for AZ Senate
Mark Kelly’s petitions are on line. Please help him out along with all the other Democratic candidates of our districts. Here’s how:
- Go to AZSos.gov (this link brings you to Elections)
- Click Sign Candidate petitions
- Click on Candidate Nominating Petitions.
- You will need your driver’s license or Voter ID & last 4 of your SSN. If you have already signed the petition(s), it will tell you.
- You can sign one petition for AZ Senator, one for CD4 House of Representatives, two for LD1 State House (please, only pick one candidate here – Judy Stahl) and three for the Corporation Commission (Democratic candidates – Bill Mundell, Shea Stanfield and Anna Tovar.) If you have signed before, you will be alerted. If you want to give $5’s to the Clean Elections candidates, you can also do that..
- Petitions can also be signed at the Yavapai Co. Democratic Headquarters, 1555 Iron Springs Rd. Suite A, Prescott. Open 11a-3p M-F.
Assist #StahlForAll (Judy Stahl for LD1 AZ House)
Do you know folks in Tucson? Let them know the #StahlForAll 60 for 60 ‘Down South’ Campaign Kickoff party will be held on Sunday afternoon,March 1st, from 2-4 pm in Tucson at the historic Rillito Park Foundation venue at the J. Rukin Jelks Stud Farm, centrally located on River Road near the Catalina foothills. They are very excited to be at this spectacular venue to bring folks together who support Arizona Democrats and their momentum for the 2020 election. They are delighted and honored to welcome Arizona Democratic Leader, Representative Charlene Fernandez as our main speaker! To assist them in creating a wonderful, successful event, please RSVP by Wednesday, February 26th at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/downsouth.
Upbeat Music and Political Commentary
Join Rockin’ Robin Radio, free internet radio,live365.com – every day listen to Implausible Denial, hosted by Eric Nadelberg, Talk with a Progressive Viewpoint.
Scholarship Opportunities
PFLAG Sedona/Verde Valley has announced its 2020 scholarship program is now open for applications. Up to three $500 scholarships are available for students residing in the Sedona/Verde Valley area. Applications and supporting material are due by February 28 and the awards will be announced on April 14, 2020. Go to Details and application requirements are available on the PFLAG Verde Valley website.
DWPA Scholarship Program – The Democratic Women of the Prescott Area offer two $1,000 scholarships to high school students and one $1,000 to a DACA student. More information here.
**Prescott Resist Rallies – 1pm every Tuesday on the corner of Gurley and Montezuma, Prescott Courthouse Plaza
** Peace Vigil – Grandmothers for Peace and others meet at the corner of Cortez and Montezuma every Friday at 4pm.
AZ Resist has the latest information on progressive meetings and actions around the state.