“Democracy on Tap” Speaker Series Launches this Sunday (3/10) at 3:30 pm!
Orientation Meeting for Cville Dems Voter Registration Team
News from the Executive Committee Meeting (1/22/24)
The first Executive Committee meeting of the year was a success. Much to do in this coming year!
Young people 22 and under – 76% vote Democratic. This has sparked some new ideas from our members, ranging from election stickers on scooters to using voter registration proof for entry to events. Two events suggested for free admission with a voter registration card were a women’s basketball tournament at Tonsler Park and/or possibly a play entitled It Can’t Happen Here (yes, the decades old Sinclair Lewis political play, updated with today’s urgency) if it were to be produced here.
Here’s a talking point for those who may lean for Republican Bob Good: “Did you know that he hasn’t gotten a single bill out of committee? He’s not being effective at working for his constituents.”
Coming in April: A Caucus in Charlottesville!
In addition to the March Presidential Primary, there will also be a caucus in Charlottesville on either Apr. 20 or Apr. 22 – more information to follow once the date has been settled!
Why do we have a caucus when there are already primaries? Glad you asked! We need to elect 14 delegates plus five alternates to represent Charlottesville at both the Fifth District convention in Fluvanna on May 18 and the DPVA (state) convention in Richmond on June 22. At both of these conventions, the Cville delegates will be voting on National Convention Delegates to represent Virginia in Chicago. The Fifth District convention is also responsible for electing the Democratic Electoral College member who will cast a vote for President Biden and Vice-President Harris after they win Virginia this November! The DPVA convention will also elect two Democratic Electoral College members, and elect five Virginia members of the Democratic National Committee.
Come to the Full Committee meeting on Feb. 26 for more information about the caucus/convention procedures, and what it means to be a “delegate” to the Fifth District/DPVA conventions here in Virginia versus being a “national delegate” to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. (If you can’t come to the Full Committee meeting, there are online information sessions with DPVA staff on Feb. 20 and Feb. 22.)
Presidential Primary Early Voting has Begun!
Early voting for the Presidential Primary is open. Vote here:
120 7th Street NE
City Hall Annex, Room 142
Charlottesville, VA 22902
Hours:
Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm (not open Monday, March 4)
Saturday 2/24 and Saturday 3/2, 8:30am – 5:00pm
Information:
https://www.charlottesville.gov/431/Early-Voting
Jefferson School Reparations Run/Walk (3/2/24)
The Jefferson School African American Heritage Center (JSAAHC) is ramping up for the next Reparations Run/Walk on Mar. 2 at 7am to celebrate Liberation and Freedom Day.
As in previous years, they are raising money for 101.3 JAMZ, African American Teaching Fellows, Albemarle-Charlottesville NAACP’s Youth Council, JSAAHC, Prolyfyck Run Crew, Tonsler League, and Vinegar Hill Magazine’s Black Business advertising fund. These organizations all have Black leadership and support the community directly. The near-8-mile run and 4-mile walk allow you to engage with some of the city’s important sites of African American history, while passing some of the African American businesses along the way.
In the past, Cville Dems have participated with their own team in this fun run/walk event. Please contact communications@cvilledems.org if you’d like to organize Dems for a team walk on Mar. 2.
Liberation and Freedom Day is a municipal holiday in Charlottesville, celebrated on March 3, to commemorate the day in 1865 when Union Major General Phillip Sheridan and his troops arrived in Charlottesville, liberating more than 14,000 enslaved people.
