WHAT... THERE'S AN ELECTION? BALLOTS ARE NOT SCARY

For the nearly 80% of Maricopa County voters who are on the Active Early Voting List (AEVL) and receive their ballot in the mail you should’ve received it by now. If not or you are amongst the 20% who like to cast the ballot in person, early voting has already started at 12 voter centers throughout the county with another 39 opening on Oct 28th – and three of them are in LD2! To review the list of vote centers, go to: Locations.Maricopa.Vote

We know there are many things on your ballot and we don’t want you to sit this one out because there is too much at stake. At our October LD2 meeting, we had Melinda Merkel Iyer, Co-Leader of Civic Engagement Beyond Voting, explain the ballot propositions and some of the judges. In case you missed it, you can visit their website at: www.cebv.us and look at the 2022 Election / Ballot Guide for their rationale as to their recommendations.

A few tips regarding your ballot…

Q: Do I have to vote for every candidate and proposition for my ballot to be counted?

A: NO! It is not a requirement to respond to every candidate and proposition. This is perfectly legal.

Q: When it says to “Vote for not more than 2” – can I vote for only 1?

A: YES! In fact, in the case of ensuring we re-elect our Representative Judy Schwiebert, we are telling everyone to Vote for ONLY Judy Schwiebert. This is called an “undervote”. The same is true for the Central AZ Water Conservation District where you can “Vote for not more than 5” – just vote for the 4 Democrats: Aguilar, Arboleda, Graff, & Pederson.

Q: What if I mess up? What if I used my ballot as a placemat and spilled food all over it?

A: No worries, just go to a Vote Center where they will void out your original ballot and issue you a new ballot which you can complete at the Vote Center.

Q: How do I know the Elections Department received my ballot?

A: Text JOIN to 628-683 for text alerts regarding the status of your ballot or visit: BallotStatus.Maricopa.Vote

For a first-time voter regardless of your age, ballots can be intimidating and seem scary. Hopefully these tips will make you feel comfortable about voting. If you have questions, you can email us at: chair@azld2dems.org because we want to ensure everyone participates in the process because every vote counts!

HELPING OUR LD2 CANDIDATES CORNER

Ready, set, go!!! Ballots have dropped. Each of the LD2 Organizers are available in the evening Monday to Friday from 4-7pm to work with you individually to erase any trepidation you may have with canvassing. To sign-up, visit the mobilize link found below.

Special highlight of upcoming events:

10/22 PM – GOTV Canvass with Lauren Kuby & our LD2 candidates. Meet at a home in the Norterra precinct at 1-4pm, talk with voters in the surrounding precincts SIGN UP

For a comprehensive list of volunteer opportunities and events, visit: https://www.mobilize.us/ld2democrats/

LD2 ONLINE VOTER GUIDE

Voting has begun with early vote centers and ballots have dropped. Visit our Election Guide on our website to help you complete your ballot: LD2 Website. This website is tailored specifically for registered Democratic and Other like-minded voters in Legislative District 2.

Our Election Guide webpage currently includes the following:

Links to very useful election tools from the Maricopa County Recorder's office and others.

Proven election winning strategies like Single Shot.

A current election calendar showing the date ballots will be mailed, the last day to return them, and more.

A gallery of most every candidate you’ll see on your LD2 ballot (both Democrats and down ballot, like-mind, people running for other positions including the incredibly important school boards). This section includes links to the candidate’s websites and social media accounts. Don’t forget to donate to them or volunteer for them soon!

Please send this link azld2dems.org to all your LD2 friends and neighbors and ask them to do the same.

ELECTION STATS & TRIVIA

Call this section our kitchen sink of Election Stats & Trivia for this year’s election…

Ballots received at the County Elections Department by November 5th will be included in the vote tallies reported on Election Day at 8pm.

How does this year’s election compare against the last mid-term election in 2018? As of 10/19, in Maricopa County, they have received far less ballots (92,000 compared to 55,000)

Did you know there’s a YouTube channel where you can listen to the Board of Supervisors & Elections Department discuss all things pertaining to the 2022 elections at: www.YouTube.com/maricopacountyaz

There are 2.43 million registered voters in Maricopa County. This is the first time in quite some time where there are more registered Independents at 842,634 vs. 841,142 Republicans, 731,792 Democrats, and 19,829 Libertarians

MARICOPA COUNTY BALLOT PROCESSING OBSERVER

The county party is looking for 4-5 volunteers to help observe at MCTEC. Half-day and full-day shifts starting soon. Virtual training to be provided.

BECOME A POLL OBSERVER

Get Trained

Help with ensuring our elections proceed without incident. Become a Poll Observer and get trained. Trainings are

conducted Mon, Wed, and Thursdays from 5-6:30PM

BECOME A POLL WORKER

Get Paid

You can be a paid poll worker (several positions available) for the general election by applying online with the Maricopa County Elections Department.

There’s training is available online HERE.

Get involved and don’t sit on the sidelines!

NEW LD2 BUSINESS CARDS & NAME BADGES

We’ve received inquiries from some of our active volunteers who are not PCs but want to take advantage of this opportunity. By all means, please feel free to purchase these items and wear/use them proudly! We validate the information before sending them to the printer. You can order LD2 business cards at $30/box of 100 cards & name badges at $15/badge.

Please use this link to submit and pay for your order: http://azld2dems.org/order/

The turnaround is pretty quick.

If you have any issues with ordering them, please contact Whit at whit@azld2dems.org

DONATE TO LD2 AND WIN A GIFT CARD!

If you’re reading this newsletter, you know the importance of voting in all elections and understand the process. However, not all of our LD2 neighbors do, so one of the uses of our funds is for the purpose of creating literature and mailers to help educate the voters of LD2 about the importance of elections – especially down ballot local races. Consider becoming a recurring donor to LD2 and you will be automatically entered to win a gift card for your recurring donation!

Anyone can donate - you don’t have to live in LD2.

How about $22 for LD2 in 2022?

If you have any questions, please contact LD2 Treasurer Truly Bone at Treasurer@azld2dems.org

Easy-peasy with the button below!

MAKE A DONATION

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

BEYOND VOTING

HAPPY HOURS

Civic Engagement Beyond Voting happy hours are back for the election season!

Join them on Zoom every Sunday at 4pm for camaraderie, trainings, and phone banking.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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Oct 25: Propositions! Judges!, Zoom, 6:30PM

Join Melinda Iyer for an explanation of the propositions on the ballot and Cathy Sigmon for a review of the judges on the ballot. Bring your questions. RSVP

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Oct 26: Latino Outreach GOTV Canvass events, locations vary, 5:30PM-8PM

Help out the Latino Outreach Committee with canvassing precincts with historically high voter drop-off percentages. LD22 / Stump & Cordes precincts on this evening.

MORE INFO

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Oct 30: Propositions! Judges!, Zoom, 10AM

Join Melinda Iyer for an explanation of the propositions on the ballot and Cathy Sigmon for a review of the judges on the ballot. Bring your questions. RSVP

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NOV 1: LAST DAY TO MAIL YOUR BALLOT!!!

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Nov 16: LD2 Monthly Meeting at Paradise Valley Community College Conference Center, 6:30PM

LD2 will hold their monthly meeting at the PVCC Conference Center (17811 N 32nd St) on November 16th at 6:30pm. Agenda TBD. The PVCC Conf Center is located off 32nd St, just South of Grovers. You’ll see a separate parking lot from the main campus. Agenda will be sent to PCs in advance of the meeting. Reminder: LD 2 has resumed our monthly food drive to be donated to a local Food Bank. Please bring your non-perishable donated items. We will also be collecting non-perishable pet food. Meet your LD2 neighbors. Get informed. Get involved.

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Nov 30: LD2 Biennial Reorganization Meeting, Zoom, 6:30PM

LD2 will hold our biennial reorganization meeting via zoom. Details forthcoming. Will be discussed at the Oct LD2 meeting. Think about how you might want to take the next step with your level of engagement. It takes an army. Questions? Send to: chair@azld2dems.org

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Dec 9: LD2 Holiday Party, 5-9PM

LD2 PC Ron Owen has graciously offered to host this year’s LD2 Holiday Party. In year’s past, this has been a pot luck. More information will be provided during the Oct LD2 meeting.

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Dec 10: MCDP Biennial Reorganization Meeting

Hold the date! Elected PCs will vote for the MCDP Executive Board.

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD

Paradise Valley USD – District Administrative Center / 15002 N 32^nd St; Phoenix – Typically the first and third Thursday of the month. Governing Board | Paradise Valley Unified School District (pvschools.net)

Deer Valley USD – 20402 N 15^th Ave; Phoenix – Typically the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Governing Board / Governing Board (dvusd.org)

Glendale Union High School District – 7650 N 43^rd Ave; Glendale – Typically the first and third Wednesday of the month. Meeting Dates 2021-2022 - GUHSD (guhsdaz.org)

Washington Elementary School District – 4650 W Sweetwater Ave; Glendale – Typically the second and fourth Thursday of the month. In-person seating will be limited to 40 people. Meetings are live streamed.

Governing Board / Governing Board Meeting Schedule (wesdschools.org)

A recurring monthly donation of $5, $10, or more to AZ LD2 Democrats will go a long way toward helping us finish the job of turning Arizona blue!

MAKE A DONATION