Volume 2, Issue 11 – May 23, 2020
THE WEEK IN REVIEW
ICYMI – 2020 Legislative Session Overview
The whirlwind 2020 Legislative Session ended last Friday and we’ve got all your highlights:
- A repeal of Clean Missouri will be on the ballot in November as Republicans hope to keep their gerrymandered districts just as they are.
- A narrow expansion of absentee voting passed mostly benefitting voters who are 65+ or high-risk who will have more options to request and return their absentee ballots with no notary requirement.
- Passed the Sexual Assault Survivor’s Bill of Rights sponsored by Sen. Jill Schupp which requires all hospitals to provide rape kits and prohibits victims from being charged for rape kit testing.
- Democrats blocked a dangerous new “Guns Everywhere” bill from making it into law.
Election Model Predicts Missouri Could Flip Blue this Year
An Oxford Economics election model has predicted that key battleground states, including Missouri, could flip blue in November if the national economy continues to tank. The report states that Missouri, Ohio, Iowa, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and North Carolina could “experience significant economic contractions and traumatic job losses that would likely swing pocketbook vote.”
Rep. Hartzler: Yes on PPP Loans to Her Family Businesses, No on HEROES Act?
Representative Vicky Hartzler (MO-04) is no stranger to taking advantage of government programs to help her family businesses, but when it comes to providing the continuing relief her constituents need to cope with the long-lasting effects of the COVID pandemic, she’s a “no” vote, dismissing the HEROES Act as a “spending spree” that “does nothing to help working Americans.” Our nation is in its worst economic shape in recent history – expanded unemployment benefits, mortgage and rent assistance, and relief funds directly into Americans’ pockets could be the difference between making ends meet and falling short. Missouri’s fourth congressional district deserves a representative who’s looking out for them, not one that turns a blind eye to their needs after collecting her check.
Read more about Hartzler’s hypocrisy on the HEROES Act here.
Missouri Democrats Announce New Director of Statewide Coordinated Campaign
We are so happy to welcome Austin Lyle as our new Coordinated Campaign Director. He comes to us from Montana, but has a long history of running field programs and fighting for Democrats all over the country, most notably, Sen. John Tester, Rep. Beto O’Rourke, Sen. Kay Hagan, Sec. Clinton, and in party organizations and state-level elections in Florida, Virginia, and New Jersey. Our statewide coordinated campaign called “Show Me Change” is dedicated to electing Democrats up and down the ticket from Nicole Galloway and Jill Schupp as our next Governor and Congresswoman to flipping House and Senate seats in suburbs across the state.
Check us out and offer your support here!
Get ready for State Convention & National Convention!
We’re holding Missouri’s 2020 Democratic State Convention virtually with a live, digital Welcome Night event on Friday, June 12th and the full meetings and caucuses on June 13th. Voting will occur both online and by mail until June 19th. We’ll be joined by several guest speakers, candidates, and elected officials!
As of right now, the Democratic National Convention is planned to go forward in-person in Milwaukee the week of August 17th, but importantly, all delegates will be able to vote even if they are not physically present. Sign up to stay informed on state and national convention news!
Welcome to Newest Staffers Sadie Jess & Izabella Vadovicky
We are so excited to bring on two outstanding individuals to our full-time team! Sadie and Izabella began as Fellows and moved up to Junior Staff roles over the past year. Upon graduating from college just last week, they have joined us full-time working in Digital and Operations, respectively. Please be sure to follow Sadie over on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
What’s Your Plan to Vote on June 2nd?
So much of what affects our daily lives happens on the local level. Take simple precautions and have a safe and healthy Election Day – wear a mask, wash your hands before and after voting, bring your own pen/pencil, stay six feet apart, and follow the guidance of election workers. Find your polling place at the top of our Show Me Votes page.
MDP Data Resources & VAN Help
Have questions about VAN or any data and tech needs? Check out MDP’s Data Resources page or email vansupport@missouridems.org. Interested in improving the data, analytics, and technology infrastructure for Democrats in our state? Get more info and sign up here!
Missouri Democrats taking on Voter Registration Project
We’ve identified 154,000 likely Democrats in every part of this state. Visit our interactive map and click on your county. Zoom in and find your neighborhood or precinct. There may be 20 folks unregistered or there may be 200. Every $2 raised means we can mail a postage-paid, pre-filled registration form to your likely Democrat neighbor and all they have to do is sign and drop it in the mailbox. Since the forms are tracked, we have the unique ability to follow up with each individual and ensure it makes it to their election authority and they are added to the rolls. Get your neighbors registered today!
Missouri Democratic Party Partners with “It Starts Today”
Your support can go twice as far and reach all corners of the state with the Blue Missouri project, a partnership between the Missouri Democratic Party and It Starts Today. You can fund every Democratic nominee running for the Legislature and support a strong state party at the same time with a single monthly contribution. Our philosophy is to leave no Democrat behind – join us today!
IMPORTANT DATES & EVENTS
- 6/2 – Municipal Elections (in many counties and cities across the state)
- 6/12 – Virtual State Convention “Welcome Night”
- 6/13 – Virtual State Convention
- 8/4 – Primary Election
- 8/17 – Democratic National Convention – Milwaukee, WI
- 9/12 – Quarter 3 State Committee Meeting – St. Louis
- 9/12 – Truman Dinner – St. Louis
- 10/7 – Last day to register to vote
- 11/3 – Election Day!
We look forward to seeing you for State Convention on June 12th & 13th!
Wishing you a healthy holiday weekend – remember to wash your hands often and wear a mask in public.
Lauren Gepford
Executive Director
Missouri Democratic Party
