Thurston County Democrats

Well, we know Mike is running, so...:

DeBolt will see a rematch from Democrat Mike Rechner, whom he defeated handily in 2006. Despite that, former Chehalis Mayor Fred Ryder said Rechner presents legitimate competition and implored the crowd to put big checks in the envelopes placed at each table.

“The gentleman that’s running -- and I use that term loosely -- he’s going to come on hard, and Richard needs your help,” Ryder said, adding that the clout built by District 20 legislators is important for the area. “We have a good team, so work hard to keep these guys there.”

Damn right he's coming out hard. 

 

From HQ:

Thank you to all the wonderful volunteers who have been helping this week with data entry of 11,000 caucus attendees!

We’re about half way to completion and we need to keep pushing to get done early next week. If you can spare the time this weekend or next week, please come to the office at 2120 Pacific Ave. (between KRXY Radio and Capital City Stove and Fan) and help us make a dent in the data!

It’s easy work, not a lot of typing, and most importantly, highly paid...free coffee, tea, pop, etc.

We have 5-6 computers but if you have a notebook computer with wireless access, you can work from that computer, too.
It’s a big job and every hour you can give to the effort is helpful.

For more information, you can call the office at 956-0235.

How exactly local parties should live with the Top Two is the topic. In Thurston County we have the very real possibility that we could end up with two Dems or two Republicans in a county commission election in November.

So, how should the Thurston County Dems live with this? The Olympian:

Thurston County Democratic chairman John Cusick said he hopes there is some way the party's precinct committee officers could be allowed to nominate more than one candidate in situations such as the race between Romero and Halvorson.

"I want to hold out that possibility," Cusick said.

Failing that, he said the party's precinct committee officers might nominate one candidate, and the party might endorse two. Or, the party could bypass all of the nomination problems by just letting the top two play out the way its sponsors intended, letting candidates run regardless of party support.

But Zack Smith, an Olympia resident who serves on the Democrats' executive board from the 9th Congressional District, predicted his party will do nominating conventions separate from the ongoing presidential caucus process.

"As far as I can see it's open and shut," Smith said of the nominating conventions. "What we need to be able to do is let people know which candidate is the choice of the party."

The Pierce County Democrats have already sort of dealt with this by deciding how they're going to live in a post-IRV world. They're going to allow up to three candidates for county offices to advance with the bold "Dem" lable attached to their candidacies. This move allows choice, but also avoids the "nomination" fight.

Rather, it simply says that "these people are Democrats." The local Democratic organization decides who carries the lable, but it doesn't limit the label to just one candidate either.

Stewart Henderson, one of the co-chairs of the platform committee, just sent an email to encourage platform committee members to get in last minute comments on the draft platform:

If you have comments, WE NEED YOUR COMMENTS BY END-OF-DAY THIS
THURSDAY (TOMORROW)!  We promised to get this to John Cusick Friday,
so he could send it out to all the delegates.  We will give the
delegates a week to respond with comments, and then we will have a
work session the weekend after next to review their input and finalize
ideas for resolutions.

Thanks for all your hard work and input!  I think we're on track to
have a great product here!

You can view the draft agenda here.

View responses from platform committee members here.

Delegates elected during the precinct caucuses will approve a final county platform at the April 19 county convention. 

The Thurston County Democrats is opening up their (our, I guess) platform writing process this year. Anyone can watch as our hard working platform committee puts pen to paper (or finger to key board).

The platform committees emails to eachother are public, and available here. While they are meeting in person, they're doing much of their document sharing and discussion via email.

I've been trying to keep track of their emails to each other, and this is the most recent version of the platform.

You can also let the committee know what's on your mind. Use these forums to discuss issues you think should be in the platform or what resolutions (if you want to go that far) the Thurston Democrats should consider this year.

I'll keep track of what's going on in their email group and on the forums and write updates on the blog as things change. 

Via email:

This is a reminder our next monthly meeting is Monday, February 25, at 7:00 PM in room 152, building 1 at the Thurston County Courthouse.

Following a brief update on the tremendously successful caucus and convention cycle we've now entered, we will consider the proposed revisions to our Campaign Services Policy and Procedure, as well as the three resolutions introduced last fall and the "Priorities for a Healthy Washington" resolution introduced last month . New business includes adoption of our 2008 budget and recommendations from the Campaign Services Committee.

The full draft agenda for the meeting is available here. The draft minutes of last month's meeting are available here.

As always, please remember the less fortunate in our community and bring one or more non-perishable items for donation to the Thurston County Food Bank.

I look forward to seeing you next week!

The 35th LD blog asks:

Are you voting in the primary? Why or why not? Leave your comments below.

Go on over there and let them know. 

The turnout for the precinct caucuses on Saturday throughout Thurston County was 10,956.

To compare that, the turnout in 2004, a year that everyone back then called "historic" was just under 5,000 throughout the county. Yeah, we had some loud and crowded rooms.

UPDATE: Then again, if you look at the turnout in the 2006 and 2004 primaries, turnout on Saturday was about a third of what we would have expected.

So, if you assume there are about 135,000+ registered voters in Thurston County, our turnout for the Democratic caucuses was under ten percent. If you assume equal turnout for the Republicans (and you can't) turnout was still under 20 percent.

More than 80 percent of the voters in Thurston County did not voice their preference on Saturday.

At Slog and the Capitol Hill Blog, they write about the caucuses, and why things go the way they go (crowded). I responded in the comments at CH blog, but I thought it would be worth reposting here at home:

We had a similar problem in Thurston County. At least down here, this is why we stuff a number of precincts into large rooms, rather than splitting them up into classrooms or private homes:

1. Student privacy. School districts are wary about letting a bunch of people they don't know into class rooms because students leave materials behind. So, for outside groups reserving school facilities, they prefer they use the common areas, such as gyms or cafeterias.

2. Americans with Disabilities Act. With public buildings you can be pretty sure that they're ADA compliant. Private homes, not so much.

3. Magnitude of the job to organize caucuses and the lack of people involved in local parties. Did you know that parties were organizing caucuses six months ago? Not many people did, and the volunteers that were, were likely too busy to call you to see if your home was available.

Just getting one gym nailed down for 20 precincts is hard enough. Getting 20 private homes would be insane. Unfortunately, the on the ground work needed to organize caucuses is being left to fewer and fewer dedicated people.

I'm sorry if this next sentence sounds blunt (I don't intend it to be blunt or rude). If you had a problem with how the caucuses were organized, either make sure we use the primary to allocate delegates in four years or help out with your local Democratic organization.

We talked about caucuses (seriously, we did), putting some resolutions on the February meeting agenda and other stuff. You can read our draft minutes from our awesome secretary here.

From K-Lynn on flickr:

More caucus flickr shots here and here.

What happens when your (you being the Thurston County Republicans) website crashes the day of the caucus? You lose caucus goers to the other party.

I kid you not. This person apparently couldn't find her caucus location on the Republican website (did I say it crashed? It crashed), so she just went to a Democratic one. Gives us in the hyperpartisan area a different view of partisanship.

Karan has a great report from her caucus here.

Speaking of great reports, there are some other ones over at Olyblog in their caucus open thread.

Olympia 18

Olympia 49

Tumwater 1

Woodard Creek 047

Olympia #2, #19, #43

Chime on in over there.

Here's a thought or two on why the county Republicans website crashed this morning and our's didn't.

1. We have an awesome webmistress. I don't know about the Republicans, but our's is awesome.

2. The state Republicans website points to the county party's website as the resource for caucus locations.

Instead of hanging our website out to dry, the state Democratic party took it upon themselves to develop a database on which anyone in the state can look up their location.

I wonder how many other Republican county websites were sold down the crash and burn river today by the state Republicans?

Democracy crashed the county Republicans website. Cross our fingers for our website.

Stopped by county headquarters to pick up some filled out proxy forms for my site, and a fellow came in to ask some questions about caucuses. Mostly had to do with how long it would take (you can sign in and leave, takes about 20 minutes at least)and how late he can show up (don't show up later than 1:30 or you're toast).

This is all information that was available online in a dozen or so locations, but he decided to stop by the county party headquarters to find out. Just reminds me that people like to get information in a myriad of ways.

I've been home for two hours sweeping and mopping, and I've gotten two robo calls. This is added to the three I got earlier this week.

I was talking to one of my work mates all week about the caucus. We talked about where he should go, what he should expect and how to get the most out of the process. Late yesterday as I was leaving he tells me that it turns out he can't go, his roof is leaking and he needs to take care of it. Leaks happen.

Also, if you're asked to be a caucus secretary or if you're going to ask someone to be a caucus secretary, here are some good thoughts.

For the folks that are interested in the three resolutions (here, here and here) that were introduced and were scheduled to be voted on last week, they've been held over until the February meeting.

We voted to hold them over because we expected the training for the upcoming caucuses to take up most of the meeting. Which it did, so see you at the end of the month!

Thurston County PCO and union activist Joe Nilsson just launched his blog. Check out his first post:

France requires workers receive a minimum of 30 days of paid leave.  Germany requires 20 days of paid leave, as does the U.K. and Australia.  Canada and Japan require workers be given a minimum of 10 paid days of leave.  This excludes paid holidays.

What is the required number of days in the United States? Zero. Nada. Zilch.  What is wrong with this picture?   Where are our family values? Are we intent on working ourselves to death? Where's the sense in that?

...

San Francisco became the first city in the nation to require that employers within it's boundaries provide paid sick leave, not annual leave, to their employees when voters approved Proposition F, the Paid Sick Leave Ordinance, in 2006.

Washington State's Legislature enacted a very modest, limited scope paid family leave program for new parents this year

Happy blogging Joe!

Email from John Cusick, county chair:

Welcome to all members of the Thurston County Democrats!   With the recent change in our bylaws, all 2007 dues-paying members are invited and encouraged to participate along with Precinct Committee Officers in our monthly meetings.  

The July meeting of the Thurston County Democrats (TCD) will officially convene Monday, July 23, at 7:00 PM in room 129, building 2 (the "large courtroom") of the Thurston County Courthouse.  

We will devote the first hour to learning more about the 6 candidates for Olympia City Council to whom we've granted campaign services:

    Meta Hogan and Doug Mah, candidates for Mayor
    Matthew Green and Craig Ottavelli, candidates for Olympia City Council Position 2
    Rhenda Strub and Jeanne Marie Thomas, candidates for Olympia City Council Position 3

Each have kindly confirmed their participation in a mini-forum.   We will be able to hear each of them talk about why they're running and what they hope to accomplish, and respond to up to six moderated questions.  If you have a question you'd like to submit, you may email it to me by replying to this email before midnight Sunday (July 22) or by completing a card at the meeting.

We will also consider two resolutions introduced at our previous meeting:

- A resolution concerning immigration (available here)

- A resolution concerning recent actions by the US Attorney's Office (available here)

The full draft agenda for the meeting is available here.  The draft minutes of last month's meeting are available here.

As always, please remember the less fortunate in our community and bring one or more non-perishable items for donation to the Thurston County Food Bank.

I look forward to seeing you next week!

John Cusick, Chair
Thurston County Democrats

Last night the executive committee re-introduced the open membership bylaw amendment. Here is some information from a presentation on the amendment.

The changes from the current bylaws:

Article II, Section 1: Governing Body

The TCDCC governing body consists of the duly elected or appointed Democratic Precinct Committee Officers (PCO) in accordance with RCW 29A.80 and other members as outlined in this article.

Article II, Section 2: Membership

A.  All elected and appointed Democratic Precinct Committee Officers (PCOs) registered to vote in Thurston County shall be members.  

B.  Any other registered voter residing within Thurston County who declares him/her self a Democrat may become a voting member upon payment 30 days following receipt of annual dues.  Renewing members shall maintain their eligibility to vote upon payment of current annual dues. 

C.  Members who are not PCOs are allowed to fully participate in the Thurston County Democrats except for those welcome and entitled to participate in discussions, but cannot elect TCDCC officers or state committee representatives, fill vacancies on the Democratic Party ticket or perform other duties limited to PCOs by State statute or by the charter and bylaws of the Washington State Democratic Party.  

This blog, "Thurston County Blue" (http://thurstondemocrats.org/blog) is the blog of the Thurston County Democrats. We put it up last summer to create an open forum for local Democrats and to give other folks a window into our group. For example, you can now read and comment on a post by Debby Pattin on why she supports a presidential primary ( http://thurstondemocrats.org/node/408).

The first thing you need to do is create an account at http://thurstondemocrats.org/user

Last night the Thurston County Democratic Central Committee (Precinct Committee Officers and their proxies) pass a resolution in support of holding a presidential primary next year. Currently, the state party chooses our delegates to the national convention by a caucus system, but an open primary would allow more people to participate.

The resolution passed with 25 votes. I didn't catch the exact number of nay votes, but it seemed about less than half of the yes votes.

This coming weekend, the state central committee will meet and decide whether we'll choose our delegates through a primary, caucus or a combination of the two.
One thing I did learn last night, Washington is the largest state that still chooses delegates through a caucus system.

UPDATE: I added some thoughts here.

Register here

Have you ever thought about taking your activism to the next level, but don't know how to take the next step?  Have you ever considered becoming a candidate for public office, but don't understand what is needed to run an effective campaign?

Then, this training is for you! Join our expert trainers as we explore how to run for legislative, county, or local office and discuss the basic fundamentals of being a candidate: 

    * Making the decision to run for elected office
    * Raising money for campaigns
    * Contacting voters
    * Developing your message
    * Organizing grassroots and field campaigns

The deadline for filing for public office in Washington State is Friday, June 8. More than 70 positions are up for election in Thurston County this year, including city council, school board and port commission positions.

When: Sunday, May 13th
1pm-4pm (snacks will be provided)

Where: Thurston County Courthouse
Room 152, Courthouse Building 1
2000 Lakeridge Drive, Olympia, WA (Map)

This event is Free. However seating is limited to 50 people. So register now.
 
Sponsored by Progressive Majority Washington, Thurston County Democrats

Via email:

TC Pro-Net announces…

LEFTIES’ NIGHT OUT
Movie night:  LAST KING OF SCOTLAND

Thursday, April 5th  @ 6:30 p.m.

WHAT:  

A Progressive Community-Building Event:  This time we are going to the movies!  THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND is about a young doctor who goes to work in Uganda on a whim and ends up serving as the personal physician/trusted advisor to the genocidal dictator, Idi Amin.  This film shows how brutal dictatorships happen, how megalomaniacs can seduce their countrymen and unwitting accomplices, and how otherwise well-meaning individuals can deceive themselves about the evils of absolute power.  “At its heart of darkness, this film is about the lure of power.”  Oscar-winning performance by Forest Whitaker.

WHY?  

Why be a progressive activist in isolation?  Let’s build community and solidarity and all go to the movies together at the Capitol Theater downtown. EVERYONE IS WELCOME!  BRING A FRIEND!

WHEN:  Thursday, April 5th   @ the 6:30 showing.  After the movie, we can head on over to THE FISHBOWL BREW PUB for snacks, drinks and social networking.

WHERE:  Capitol Theater, downtown Olympia   416 Washington St SE, then to THE FISHBOWL BREW PUB (515 Jefferson St SE).

WHO:  All of us!  You, me your family, friends, friends from work, folks in your grassroots groups, Blues, Greens, Dems, Contemplators, fence sitters, All!  This is a great opportunity to bring new folks to the progressive community.

In addition to the list below of counties that have some sort of open membership, there is also more than a dozen legislative district organizations that do. This includes two of the LDs that make up Thurston County (35 and 20). Here is a list. This isn't a complete list, of course, because some LDs don't post their bylaws online.

Washington State law outlines specific roles for Prencinct Committee officers. The bylaw change that we're considering to allow members to vote in our organization can't change this, members will never be allowed to take on these actions as long as state law remains the same.

What Roles are Provided for Precinct Committee Officers by statute?

• Electing a chair and vice chair of opposite sexes during a county party reorganization (RCW 29A.80.030)
• Electing a state committeeman and state committeewoman to the state central committee. (RCW 29A.80.020)
• Electing a chair of a legislative district chair (RCW 29A.80.061)
• Filling a vacancy on a major party ticket (RCW 29A.28.011)
• Nominating qualified polling place workers (RCW 29A.44.430)

 

In addition to a number of legislative district organizations that have open membership, several counties do as well:

• Island County
• San Juan County
• Mason County
• Chelan County
• Whatcom County
• Clallam County
• Grays Harbor County
  

Admittedly, not every one of the counties has the exact sort of open membership that we're discussing. Many of them employ clubs, that along with limited role central committees, act as a sort of open membership.

Statements for an against allowing members to have a vote on Thurston County Democratic issues were recently sent out on the PCO email list. This will come up for vote on February 26.

Statement in support of proposed amendment to Article II re membership
By Emmett O’Connell, PCO, Olympia 48

There is an active discussion going on at the PCO email list about a proposal to change the bylaws in some fashion to allow voting by members. The bylaw change will come up for a vote during the Central Commitee meeting on February 26.

Here are some posts that I've done in my research on the topic:

• Last Monday and roles of PCOs provided by statute
• Other counties and their membership
• Membership compromise discussion
• Open membership discussion (with a list of LDs with open membership)