Cville Dems Executive Committee Meeting (January 29, 2024)
2024-01-29 18:30 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Central Branch — Jefferson-Madison Regional Library, 201 E. Market St, Charlottesville, VA, 22902, United States
The meeting will begin at 6:30pm on Monday 1/29 in the Madison Room of the at the Jefferson Madison Central Library. The agenda will be shared a few days before the meeting.
NOTE: this meeting was previously announced as 1/22, but had to be pushed back a week because the election of officers was pushed back a week due to the City’s weather-related closing of Key Rec where we were to meet.

Meet the 2024 5th District Candidates!
2024-02-03 15:00 - 17:00 | Potters Craft Cider, 1350 Arrowhead Valley Rd, 1350 Arrowhead Valley Road, VA, 22903, United States
Please come and meet the Democratic House of Representatives candidates running
against Rep. Bob Good in the 5th District.
Learn about their vision for the 5th district and find out what you can do to support their efforts!
Live music and cash bar (and food).

Virginia "Super Tuesday" Presidential Primary — Early Voting now through Saturday March 2
2024-02-23 08:00 - 2024-03-02 17:00 | City of Charlottesville Registrar’s Office (Office of Voter Registration), 120 7th Street NE City Hall Annex, Room 142, Charlottesville, 22902, United States
Early voting is underway, and ends on Saturday March 2! Early in-person voting is the safest and easiest way for most people to vote (the deadline to request a ballot for mail-in voting has already passed).
Here’s election information taken from the City’s Election webpage:

Vote at the Registrar’s Office (City Hall Annex,120 7th St. NE, Room 142 — 434-970-3250)
Voting began January 19 and can be done Monday through Friday until Friday, March 1 from 8:30am-4:30pm
The office will also be open on two Saturdays, February 24 and March 2, from 8:30am-5:00pm
Curbside voting from a car is available to anyone with a disability, limited mobility, or who is over age 65; just call 434-970-3250 when you arrive at the Registrar’s Office
Bring your ID (for Virginia’s voter ID policies, see this overview and list of acceptable forms of ID)
Sample Ballot

Full Committee Meeting (February 26, 2024)
2024-02-26 18:30 - 20:00 | TBA
Every Cville Dem and potential new Dem is welcome to attend (bring a friend if you want!), please mark your calendars to join us on Monday, Feb. 26, 6:30pm and see what we’re up to (and learn how you could plug into working to win this November’s pivotal election!). The agenda will be publicized a few days before the event.
Location for this one meeting:
Jefferson School African American Heritage Center
233 4th St NW
Charlottesville, VA 22903-4593

Tuesday March 5 "Super Tuesday" Presidential Primary — In-Person Precinct Voting
2024-03-05 06:00 - 19:00 | Local Polling Locations (see Interactive Map), Charlottesville, VA, United States
Election Day is Tuesday March 2! In-person voting is the safest and easiest way for most people to vote (the deadline to request a ballot for mail-in voting has already passed).
Here’s election information taken from the City’s Election webpage:

Vote from 6am-7pm at your local polling place (many precinct’s were changed in 2023, use the City’s Interactive Precinct Map to find your current Polling Location).
Bring your ID (for Virginia’s voter ID policies see this overview and list of acceptable forms of ID)
Sample Ballot

Orientation Meeting for Cville Dems Voter Registration Team
2024-03-10 14:30 - 15:30 | Kardinal Hall, 722 Preston Ave #101, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, United States
Just before the first “Democracy on Tap” event (this Sunday 3/10 at 2:30pm at Kardinal Hall), join the Cville Dems Voter Registration Team for its annual kick-off orientation. Suzanne Michels will provide an overview of how things work and how you can join in. New people will be warmly welcomed, and if you’ve done it before this is a great time to reconnect with the team and see old friends!
About 85% of Cville voters vote blue, so registering someone in our area helps really helps in statewide and District races.
Questions? Contact Suzanne at suzemichels@gmail.com .

"Democracy on Tap" Speaker Series Launches this Sunday (3/10) at 3:30 pm!
2024-03-10 15:30 - 17:00 | Kardinal Hall, 722 Preston Ave #101, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, United States
The Cville Dems and the Albemarle Dems are hosting our first “Democracy on Tap” speaker series event this Sunday at 3:30pm at Kardinal Hall. Miles Coleman, Associate Editor for Sabato’s Crystal Ball (a comprehensive, nonpartisan political analysis and handicapping newsletter published by the University of Virginia Center for Politics) will share information about the crucial upcoming elections.
Light snacks will be provided.
“Democracy on Tap” events featuring great speakers and camaraderie among local Democrats will be held monthly at Kardinal Hall. For all the old-timers, think of this as a revival of the always-popular Democratic breakfasts of the past.

University Democrats "Meet the Candidates" Event TODAY (Wed. 3/13)
2024-03-13 18:00 - 19:30 | University of Virginia (UVA) – Nau Hall, Charlottesville, VA, United States
The event will take place at 6:30pm in Room 101 of Nau Hall, which is on the south side of Jefferson Park Avenue just behind Old Cabell Hall. A small reception begins at 6pm, and at 6:30pm the candidates will be introduced, UDems members will ask some questions about issues affecting students at UVA and statewide, and the event will end with closing statements and an open Q&A.
UDems officers will be outside the building to guide those unfamiliar with Grounds. Public parking is a challenge—the best options are Newcomb Parking Garage or the lot by Scott Stadium.
All of the candidates are in the process of building out their campaigns and would very much appreciate your support – whether that is in terms of volunteer time or campaign funds. We have the raw talent to beat Bob Good in November, but the candidates need your help to make this a reality! The candidate websites are:

Gloria Witt — https://www.gloriawittforcongress.com/
Paul Riley — https://paulrileycongress.com/
Gary Terry — https://garyterryforcongress.com/
Toby Johnson — https://sites.google.com/view/toby-for-va5/home

Come to the "Meetings of Opposites" Program on March 16
2024-03-16 13:00 - 15:00 | Gordon Ave Library, 1500 Gordon Avenue, Charlottesville, VA, 22902, United States
The “Meetings of Opposites” programs bring together people with opposing views on politics and other issues. Henry McHenry will lead the Saturday March 16 program taking place at the Gordon Avenue Library meeting room from 1-3pm. The workshop will be timely given today’s perception wars:
After a video demonstrating the mechanism of perception which produces optical illusions and prevents accurate assessment of visual information, we notice that the same mechanism seems to be at work in the ways we interact with each other. We are swamped in perception wars, because the assumptions that keep us in our positions, Us-Against-Them, reside in narratives that own us and that we can’t see out of. To experience a way of being together different from the one perception enables and enforces, we will engage with each other in physical exercises and activities, some as simple as a handshake.

State Senator Danica Roem's VA Book event (3/23/24)
2024-03-23 10:30 - 11:30 | Paramount Theater, 215 E Main St, Charlottesville, 22902-5231, United States
[https://cvilledems.org/events/state-senator-and-now-author-danica-roem-at-book-festival/]

Next "Democracy on Tap": April 7 with Local History Expert Sterling Howell
2024-03-29 08:00 - 17:00 | Kardinal Hall, 722 Preston Ave #101, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, United States
Second “Democracy on Tap” Speaker (4/7/24) will be Historic!

Sen. Kaine's 2024 Campaign Launch comes to Charlottesville (4/4)
2024-04-04 11:00 - 13:00 | Revealed Upon Signup
Senator Tim Kaine is launching his 2024 re-election campaign with his “Standing Up for Virginia” tour! And he’ll be coming to Charlottesville on April 4th!
With so much at stake, we need Senator Kaine to keep standing up for Virginia, as he fights to promote good paying jobs, protect our democracy, and safeguard our fundamental rights!
Join Senator Kaine, elected officials, & community leaders in Charlottesville and learn about ways to get involved. Together, we will re-elect Tim Kaine & help deliver victories for Democrats up and down the ballot in November!
Further information will be provided upon RSVP. See you there!

Second "Democracy on Tap" Speaker (4/7/24) will be Historic!
2024-04-07 15:30 - 17:00 | Kardinal Hall, 722 Preston Ave #101, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, United States
For our second “Democracy on Tap” event, Sterling Howell, Programs Manager of the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society, will describe the changing role of the society since its founding in 1940, and discuss the value of local history and why it should be supported in our time when history, books, and other institutions are under attack.
“Democracy on Tap” events are held monthly at Kardinal Hall on first Sunday of each month starting 3:30pm.

Full Committee Meeting (VERY Abbreviated, 4/22/24)
2024-04-22 18:30 - 19:00 | Central Branch — Jefferson-Madison Regional Library, 201 E. Market St, Charlottesville, VA, 22902, United States
We’ll have a brief full Cville Dems meeting followed by a Caucus in Charlottesville on Monday, April 22, in the Swanson Room, Central Library branch (explained below). Doors will open at 6pm, followed by the meeting 6:30-6:50pm. Registration for the Caucus will begin at 7pm, and the Caucus will begin at 7:30pm.

Call to Caucus
2024-04-22 19:00 - 20:30 | Central Branch — Jefferson-Madison Regional Library, 201 E. Market St, Charlottesville, VA, 22902, United States
The Caucus is an event to elect Charlottesville delegates and alternates to attend both the Fifth Congressional District Democratic Convention (May 18 in Fluvanna County) and the DPVA State Convention (June 22 in Richmond). If you’d like to be elected as a Charlottesville delegate or alternate, you must pre-file (explained here and here). We need to elect 14 delegates plus three alternates at the Caucus – yes, we need 17 people to volunteer for this important Democratic representation of Charlottesville at both the Fifth District convention and the DPVA State convention in Richmond. Delegates must attend both conventions. It is satisfying and enjoyable to be part of this political process, which goes all the way to determining the next President and Vice President.

"Democracy on Tap" May 5 Will Be a District 5 Candidate Forum
2024-05-05 15:30 - 17:00 | Kardinal Hall, 722 Preston Ave #101, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, United States
On Sunday May 5 at 3:30pm our “Democracy on Tap” program will present all three Fifth District candidates – Paul Riley, Gary Terry, and Gloria Witt – discussing their platforms and viewpoints as they work to defeat and unseat Rep. Bob Good. This event is shortly before they compete in the June 18 Primary for a position on the Congressional ballot in the fall, so come with questions for your potential representative.
Our April 7 “Democracy on Tap” meeting featured Sterling Howell discussing Charlottesville history. He’s pictured here chatting with Bobbie Williams. Thanks, Sterling!

Get Out the Vote Thursdays Resumes 6/28
2024-05-25 00:00 | VA
Get Out the Vote Thursdays will resume on Thursday, June 27 at IX Park. We’ll then meet every Thursday to canvass, phone bank, text bank (new for us), and/or write postcards.
We’ll be reaching out to specific potential voters we identify in the City of Cville and the 5th District, and also coordinating with the campaigns to help them reach their targeted individuals.
Together we can reach out to thousands of registered voters and turn them into actual Democratic votes this November; we hope you’ll join us to make this happen!

June 7 Cville Dems Summer Bash is nearly here: Silent Auction, Live Music, and more!
2024-06-07 18:00 - 20:00 | Jefferson School African American Heritage Center, 2nd floor (JSAAHC), 233 4th Street NW, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, United States
Our third annual Summer Bash is coming soon Friday, June 7, 6-8pm, on the lawn of the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center at 233 4th Street NW, Charlottesville, VA 22903-4593, (with a rain date of Saturday, June 8, 6:30-8:30pm, inside the Carver Recreation Center (same building as the Jefferson School).
Sponsorships and tickets are still available. Our goal is to raise $20,000 and we still need $4,000 more to reach that goal.
Full info is at the registration page:
https://cvilledems.org/event/2024-cville-dems-summer-bash-june-7-6-8pm/
Our guest speaker will be Dr. Cameron Webb, plus appearances by our 5th District Candidates, Paul Riley, Gary Terry, and Gloria Witt, and State Senator Creigh Deeds and State Delegate Katrina Callsen.
Brought back by popular demand, there will be some live music and a silent auction. Silent auction items include a scone-making workshop with Minhee and Josh Throneburg, computer help with Kendall Dawes, genealogical help from Mike Cameron, movie nights at the home of Fred and Nancy Damon, plus more to come. Many of the auction items will be sign-ups, so a number of people can enjoy each fun event.
The Soul Food Joint will provide a chicken dinner option and Pearl Island Catering will provide a vegetarian option; we’ll send out an email to confirm which option you’re choosing. We’ll need help with set-up; putting tablecloths on already set-up tables, checking in attendees, and hypers to drum up enthusiasm for the silent auction items and events. Please email Nancy Damon at nancycdamon@gmail.com if you can help.
Details, including food options and ticket and sponsorship cost levels and access, are at the link above.
Please support and attend this community-building event. We can have a lot of fun while we do vital work to elect candidates who will work positively towards the future of our democracy. Consider a sponsorship, buying tickets for friends and family, or coming solo and meet like-minded Dems. You may even get inspired to join one of our volunteer teams!
To help with planning purposes, please purchase your tickets and sponsorships as soon as possible!

"Democracy on Tap" Avery Chenoweth on our local Latino Community
2024-06-09 15:30 - 17:00 | Kardinal Hall, 722 Preston Ave #101, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, United States
Our June monthly “Democracy on Tap” event will feature Avery Chenoweth, author and documentarian, who will talk about the Latino community in Charlottesville. He was executive producer for the new bilingual documentary, “Sometime, Somewhere/Algún día, en algún lugar,” by local (Argentinian-native) director Ricardo Preve. Avery is also a Spanish interpreter for Habitat for Humanity International and a volunteer with Sin Barreras. Sunday, June 9, 3:30pm, at Kardinal Hall.

Jefferson School African American Heritage Center (JSAAHC) 2024 Juneteenth Celebration
2024-06-15 09:00 - 15:00 | Jefferson School African American Heritage Center, 2nd floor (JSAAHC), 233 4th Street NW, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, United States

Senator Raphael Warnock is coming to Virginia!
2024-06-22 19:00 - 22:00 | Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 W Broad St., Richmond, VA, 23220-2057, United States
Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock
Join Democrats from across Virginia at this year’s Blue Commonwealth Gala in Richmond, June 22 at 7pm. The Gala is the annual fundraiser of the Democratic Party of Virginia and is the premier gathering of elected officials, candidates, community activists, and Democratic Party leaders.
Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock of Georgia will be our featured speaker, but the Gala will also include other notable Democratic leaders like Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky, as well as most of the elected leaders here in the Commonwealth. There will be live music, food and drinks, speeches, and much more! The Gala will be held at the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond and starts at 7pm. Tickets are $250 per person, unless you get the early bird discount at $200 per person. You can register at https://secure.engageraise.com/event/donate/bcg_2024_tickets/

Next Dems' Full Committee Meeting is June 24 (with speaker from Sin Barreras)
2024-06-24 18:30 - 20:00 | Forest Hills Park, 1000 Forest Hills Park Ave., Charlottesville, VA, 22903, United States
It’s a fired-up Election Year, and we can use your help, energy, and ideas. Join us at the next meeting. Monday June 24 at 6:30pm, at Forest Hills Park in the outdoors shelter.
A representative of the Latino/Hispanic advocacy group Sin Barreras (Without Barriers) will discuss local concerns at the meeting. Sin Barreras’ mission is to empower immigrants and their families in Central Virginia, by educating, advocating and supporting their needs. It also sponsors the big Cville Sabroso cultural festival (music, dance, food, artisan crafts) which will be Sept. 21 this year; over 4500 people attended last year! Visit the Sin Barreras website for more information. And as a special summer bonus, we’ll have a limited supply of delicious Mexican popsicles from La Flor Michoacana!!
At the last meeting, Cville Dems spent time coming up with fresh ideas and ways forward to help our group be its most productive in an election year and an ally to the entire Cville community. We welcome your ideas, so bring them to the meeting if you like.

Coordinated Campaign Launch and Debate Watch Party on Thursday, June 27 at New Office (Incarnation Drive)!
2024-06-27 19:30 - 23:00 | 2024 Charlottesville Democratic Coordinated Office, 1410 Incarnation Dr., Suite 203, Charlottesville, 22901, United States
Join us at the Grand Opening of the Charlottesville Democratic Coordinated Campaign Office! Both the Biden-Harris and Kaine campaigns will be there, from 7:30-11:00pm on Thursday, June 27. Stay to watch the presidential debate as President Biden takes on the presumptive GOP nominee, Donald Trump.
Sen. Tim Kaine has an opponent: Virginia Republicans have nominated MAGA extremist Hung Cao (anti-abortion, advocates pardons for January 6 insurrectionists, etc.).
Spread the word and sign up using this link:
https://mobilize.us/s/QMsaFD
We’ll have plenty of refreshments, Debate Bingo, and a fun time as we cheer on President Biden in his debate with Donald Trump.
And… the Cville Dems will use the office space, too!

"Turn Out the Vote Thursdays” Kicks Off July 11
2024-07-11 17:00 - 19:00 | Brazos Tacos, 925 2nd St. SE, Charlottesville, VA, 22902, United States
On July 11, 5-7pm, we’ll be all set to go with canvassing, phone banks, text banks, and postcard writing!
Please plan to join us on the lawn outside of Brazos Tacos! Since the picnic benches can fill up fairly quickly, please bring a blanket or chair to sit on the grass.
Postcard writing is an expensive undertaking! If you can contribute to the cost of printing and stamps, please do so by going to our Act Blue Page and clicking on postcards and stamps:
https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/charlottesville-democratic-committee-1

Saturday Coordinated Campaign Canvass
2024-07-13 13:00 - 16:00 | 2024 Charlottesville Democratic Coordinated Office, 1410 Incarnation Dr., Suite 203, Charlottesville, 22901, United States
Charlottesville Saturday Canvass (Saturday 1pm-4pm)
The new office address again is:
Charlottesville Democratic Coordinated Office
1410 Incarnation Dr., Ste. 203
Charlottesville, VA 22901
Check the weather to see if you’ll want to bring water, sun lotion, water, a hat, and maybe some water…

Charlottesville Canvass Launch with SENATOR TIM KAINE
2024-07-14 13:00 - 16:00 | 2024 Charlottesville Democratic Coordinated Office, 1410 Incarnation Dr., Suite 203, Charlottesville, 22901, United States
The Coordinated Campaign would really like to get a big turnout when Sen Tim Kaine comes to join canvassers on Sunday, July 14; Tim would love to see you there and knock some doors with you!

July "Democracy on Tap" with former US Attorney Tim Heaphy
2024-07-14 15:30 - 17:00 | Kardinal Hall, 722 Preston Ave #101, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, United States
On Sunday, July 14, our monthly “Democracy on Tap” co-sponsored with the Albemarle Dems will convene at Kardinal Hall at 3:30pm.
Our guest speaker, Timothy J. Heaphy, is a criminal defense attorney, law professor, and a former United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia. Tim served as the lead investigator for the House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack. Additionally, he’s one of the founders of The Fountain Fund, whose mission is to create economic opportunities for formerly incarcerated people. He’ll talk about the Jan. 6 insurrection and the ramifications of the recent Supreme Court decisions.
Join us at Kardinal Hall and invite some friends to come along!

"Democracy on Tap" with Laurent Dubois, Democracy Expert (8/11)
2024-07-23 15:30 - 17:00 | Kardinal Hall, 722 Preston Ave #101, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, United States
Our next “Democracy on Tap” will feature guest speaker Laurent Dubois at Kardinal Hall at 3:30pm on Sunday, August 11.
Prof. Dubois, the John L. Nau Professor of the History and Principles of Democracy, is Academic Director of the Karsh Institute of Democracy at UVA. He’ll speak about democracy and authoritarianism in countries around the world.
Please join us and invite some friends!
We had dozens of people at the past event, with former US Attorney Tim Heaphy speaking about the January 6 insurrection and potential ways to patch national divisions. His suggestions included starting with speaking with people who think differently and listening to their concerns, and perhaps mandatory national service for young people, such as serving in communities or in parks because different kinds of people working together can find common ground.

Get Out for "GOTV Thursdays" (7/25)
2024-07-25 17:00 - 19:00 | Brazos Tacos, 925 2nd St. SE, Charlottesville, VA, 22902, United States
Our “Get Out the Vote (GOTV) Thursdays” gatherings continue at Ix Park this Thursday, July 25. We meet on the lawn near Brazos Tacos unless the weather is bad, in which case we’ll be inside Brazo’s Tacos.
Every Thursday from 5-7pm, we’ll be sending out canvassers, making phone calls, sending texts, and writing postcards. Please plan to join us!
Since the picnic bench can fill up fairly quickly, please bring a chair or blanket to sit on the grass. If you plan to respond to texts, please bring a laptop or tablet and something to write on.
Hopefully, we’ll meet every Thursday thereafter through Oct. 31.
Buying and mailing postcards is expensive. If you can contribute to the cost of printing and stamps, please go to our Act Blue Page and click on postcards and stamps: https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/charlottesville-democratic-committee-1

Chihamba African-American Arts Festival
2024-07-27 10:30 - 19:30 | Washington Park, Preston Ave
Cville Dems will have a table at the Chihamba African-American Cultural Arts Festival on Saturday July 27 at Washington Park. The Festival (the 33rd annual, always the last Saturday of July) lasts from 10:30am-7:30pm and features music, dancing, and vendors; stop by, say hi, and have some fun!
