Florida Democrats,
Happy New Year! 2024 is already set to be a huge year, and we’re kicking things off with a jam-packed January.
As Republicans head back to Tallahassee to do absolutely nothing to solve the problems Floridians face, our Democrats in the House and Senate are prepared to fight each and every single day for the 22 million people who call the Sunshine State home – and we’re ready to have their backs.
Just this past week, the initiative to get reproductive freedom on the 2024 ballot reported that they had reached the number of verified signatures required to make it onto the ballot. This is huge! Major shoutout to the organizers and organizations who have made this happen. Next, the Florida Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on February 7, 2024.
We also have an extremely important special election for State House District 35 on January 16, 2024. The Florida Democratic Party has proudly endorsed Navy Veteran Tom Keen in this race. Please see more below on ways you can help Tom get to the finish line.
We’re keeping an eye on municipal elections coming up in March and following the impact of “Form 6” on local elected officials resigning across the state. DEC Chairs – our team will be reaching out to discuss any impact this may have on your county.
Nikki Fried
Chair
Florida Democratic Party
Annual DEC Compliance
In order to maintain compliance with Florida Statutes and FDP Bylaws, your DEC needs to submit documents to both your county Supervisor of Elections (SOE) office and the Florida Democratic Party.Chairs, please watch your inbox for a full compliance briefing from Party Affairs, and be sure to review the breakdown of requirements and due dates at the link below:Annual DEC Compliance
Please email your documents to partyaffairs@floridadems.org.
Take Back HD-35!
We have just 9 DAYS to elect Tom Keen to the Florida State House on January 16th! President Joe Biden carried this seat by 5 points in 2020 and Democrats are going to Take Back HD-35 in 2024. We are asking Democrats statewide to rally for our Weekend of Action – whether you can join us in Orange and Osceola counties or virtually.
Here’s how you can join us:
GOTV Phone Bank
Monday, January 8 & Friday, January 12 @ 6:30 PM
Young Democrats Phone Bank w/ Rep. Eskamani
Tuesday, January 9 @ 6:30 PM
Democratic Black Caucus Phone Bank w/ Rep. Bracy Davis
Thursday, January 11 @ 6:30 PM
GOTV Textbank
Tuesday, January 9 & Thursday, January 11 @ 5 PM
Join Democrats across the state for our Weekend of Action
Joining us on the ground? Register HERE for Canvassing
Joining us virtually? Register HERE for phone banking
Election Day: SIGN UP TO BE PART OF THE ELECTION DAY TEAM
HD-35 Volunteer Hub
As always, you can find all the information you need to join our grassroots movement through our Volunteer Hub! Access volunteer opportunities such as phone banks, text banks, and canvasses all in one place, with regularly updated election information. Updated Weekend of Action Schedule and Election Day Info will be posted here!
If you have any questions about HD-35, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Christopher, at christopher@floridadems.org.
Get in Democrats, we’re going shopping!
It’s officially Election Year, so now is the perfect time to stock up on Florida Dems merch! Whether it’s a sweatshirt for our infamous cold fronts, a hat for our sunny days, or a Mugshot Mug to drink a café con leche, we have everything you need to rep democracy in style.Check out the merch store today: https://store.floridadems.org/
Voter Registration
Your Voter Registration team is ready to hit the ground running in 2024. There are two major voter registration opportunities this month.
MLK Day – Monday, January 15, 2024
- Our team will be reaching out to DECs, Clubs, and Caucuses participating in MLK events across the state to ensure we are utilizing the opportunity to register voters at these events.
FDP Day of Action – Saturday, January 20, 2024
- We are pushing a voter registration day of action on Saturday, January 20, and are looking for DECs, Clubs, and Caucuses to join us in going to an event or high-volume traffic area in your county to register voters.
- Fill out the FDP Event Bank Form to let us know about your MLK events. (Bookmark this form as we will be using this throughout the year)
- Sign up for our Organizing Call to discuss MLK and Day of Action events for January. We will be hosting this call with special guests to be confirmed on Weds, Jan. 10, 2024, 7pm EST – 7:45pm EST. RSVP HERE.
Registering Voters with REACH
NEW REACH Training Video Series: Click Here
REACH Monthly Trainings
Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month at 6pm EST
FDP Reach Trainer Group: This group is open to anyone interested in becoming a member of our FDP Reach Trainer Group in the DEC who will be in charge of leading training in their county. This can be the Voter Coordinator, Data Coordinator, Reach Admin/Lead for your county or it could be one or all or another person altogether. Please email kris@floridadems.org if interested.
Download Reach: Download the Reach App by going to your App Store/Google Play and searching: “Reach – Progressive Organizing” (OR click here on your phone: https://www.reach.vote/download)
- Campaign Key: Obtain your county campaign here: https://flade.ms/joinreach
DEC/County Leads: If your DEC has not sent over information on who your Voter Registration Coordinator, Reach Admin, and Data Coordinator is for your county, please do so by Friday, January 19, 2024. Email their name and contact information to kris@floridadems.org
Data/VAN Updates
- The latest voter file update went live in VAN on December 13th.
- Statewide abortion petition tracking activist codes live in VAN for about 90% of counties. The FDP will continue requesting this data from each county SOE & updating VAN, then we plan to continue the same process for marijuana & clean water. You can find more information about how to utilize these activist codes in our Guide for Using Activist Codes here.
- The Early Voting bucket in VAN is being updated daily with vote by mail data for the HD35 Special Election on 1/16.
- Sign up for our first VAN Basics/New User Training in January here!
- Join Team Data with any questions you may have at our weekly office hours by signing up here.
- Join the Florida Data Director Council by completing their new member contact form.
Chairs Community Champion – To Launch January 2024
Nominations are open for the 2024 Chair’s Community Champion Award! Entries will be reviewed on a rolling monthly basis. Monthly in 2024, the Chair’s award will recognize community leaders and/or active volunteers, honoring individuals who focus on celebrating unsung heroes serving our party and making significant contributions to their communities.
Examples include but are not limited to:
- Exemplifies the Democratic Values: Showcases vital leadership qualities, even in the absence of formal titles or roles, including modeling excellence, valuing the perspectives and input of others, being open to criticism and dialogue, and being an exemplary advocate for community service and engagement.
- Demonstrates the insight and courage to collaborate across lines that usually divide people.
- Impact: Widely connected with concrete examples of lasting influence on the community.
- Knowledge sharing: Makes resources that are free and available to the community.
- Mentorship and coaching: Actively mentors/coaches others in building their skills and supports others at all levels.
- Connects communities: Brings together communities. Helps to create connections that otherwise wouldn’t have happened.
Note: This individual does not have to be a member/volunteer of your DEC, Club, Caucus, or Elected. We’re looking for everyday people helping within your community.
For additional nomination criteria, please review the nomination form below.
Click Here to View Nomination Form
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