Young Democrats

YDA Elects New Officers in Dallas

Thu, 02 Aug 2007 16:26:18 GMT

At the YDA National Convention new officers were elected for 2007-2009.

Co-hosted debate watch party with state Dem party

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 23:39:09 GMT

(via email from http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/massfuture)

Do you want to watch this week's Presidential candidate debate with fellow Massachusetts Democrats?

YOU'RE INVITED TO A….

DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE WATCH PARTY

THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 2007

PORTERS BAR & GRILL
173 Portland Street
Boston

8:00PM
MDP/YDM debate watch party starts. Introduction by Chairman John Walsh.

9:00PM-10:30PM
Democratic Presidential candidate forum at Howard University broadcast on PBS stations, moderated by Tavis Smiley. Debate introduction by Governor Deval Patrick.

Those with questions about the event can contact Rose at the Massachusetts Democratic party at RoseStaram@massdems.org or 617-776-2676. For more information on Thursday's debate, visit www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley/special/forums/

Event sponsored by the Massachusetts Democratic Party and

Mass. Democratic Future/The Young Democrats of Massachusetts.

www.massdems.org and www.massachusetts.yda.org

Fundraiser for ... - Complimentary Admission for Young Dems

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 14:59:44 GMT

Editor's note: a great way for candidates to engage young people and for young people to get to know candidates is to do complimentary admission for Young Dems.

(via email from ydmaryland.org)

We would like to thank Comptroller Peter Franchot and his staff for providing complimentary admission to Young Dems. If you are interested in attending, please make sure you RSVP to Tim Daly and let him know that you are a member of YDM.

************************************

MR. JONATHAN ALEXANDER
CORDIALLY INVITES YOU TO AN EVENING RECEPTION IN SUPPORT OF

Hon. Peter Franchot
Maryland State Comptroller

Sunday, July 1, 2007
4:00 – 6:00 PM
At the Home of Jon & Kristin Alexander
5802 Roosevelt Avenue
Bethesda, Maryland 20817
Requested Contributions:
$1000 Host
$500 Sponsor
$250 Individual

Back from my trip to Atlanta (Southeast Regional meeting)

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 04:45:20 GMT

(cross-posted from: http://davidsoncountyyoungdemocrats.blogspot.com/search?q=Atlanta)

Today I am back in the DCDP headquarters working away for democrats in Nashville but this weekend I put on my Tennessee Young Democrats Prez hat and headed to Atlanta for the YDA Southeast Regional meeting.

We are the strongest region of YDA (which each state in the region will swear to if you ask us.) We met to coordinate efforts, learn what other states are doing, what works and what doesn’t, to have a general meeting and then of course to network…aka socialize.

We started off the day talking about best practices and what each state organization has been doing. We then moved into credentials (we are all looking forward to chartering before the National Convention in Dallas.) If I seem frustrated and stressed out between our Spring Convention in Omaha and our National Convention in Dallas this could be the culprit. Don’t want any penalties against our great state! We then moved into our training session with our National YDA Political Director Tony Cani. It was an always important topic. Chapter building: How to grow our chapters; the types of people that make up organizations and chapters; how to motivate; how to retain members; and then how do we become an organization that is recognized and taken seriously.

We ended the day with general session. We elected new officers for our region and the winners are:

Regional Director: Robert Hooks from Mississippi
Deputy Director: Nikema Williams from Georgia
Secretary: Benson Manica from Georgia
Treasurer: Pat Grayson from Alabama
Judicial Council Representative: Kirk Miller from Georgia
Judicial Council Rep Alternate: Seannalyn Brandmeir from Tennessee

We ended the evening with a party at Shout! in Midtown Atlanta. All and all it was a great event with a great group of dedicated young democrats.

Want to come to the next event? Register for the YDA Spring Convention in Omaha, NE May 18-20th. www.yda.org

Seanna Brandmeir
President, Tennessee Young Democrats
Also, just up on the web. www.ydasoutheast.org

Thank you to everyone the came to Nashville for the 2007 Convention

Tue, 19 Jun 2007 23:46:09 GMT

by Seanna Brandmeir, TN YD President

We have an aggressive plan for the 2007-2008 term and we will work hard to organize and mobilize Tennessee Young Democrats. If there is anything we can do to help your individual chapter, please let us know. We plan to contact each chapter to assess needs such as rebuilding, training and retention of members. If you are in an area that does not have a chapter, start one! We can help!

During the 2007 Convention we elected our 2007-2009 Executive Committee:

Seannalyn Brandmeir, President
Chris Anderson, Executive Vice President
Claudia Weaver, Secretary
Priscilla Norman, Treasurer
Lindsay Barrett, National Committeewoman
Anooj Pate, National Committeeman
Lakisha Watson-Moore, Membership Director
Deidre Wood, East TN Divisional Vice President
Sean Braisted, Middle TN Divisional Vice President
Logan Combs, District 1 Male Congressional Representative
Kim Savage, District 4 Female Congressional Representative
Eric Patton, District 4 Male Congressional Representative
Lynet Payne, District 5 Female Congressional Representative
Jeremiah Garretson, District 5 Male Congressional Representative

Special congratulations and thank you to Michele Mize, our 2004-2006 Secretary. She served as Convention Chair and is the 2007 recipient of the Bobbie Caldwell Young Leader Award. Thank you Michele for all of your hard work and dedication to the TNYDs!

Politically active since age 18, Michele Mize is the newly elected Treasurer for the Sumner County Democratic Party and is a member of Sumner County Young Democrats. She moderates the SC YDs email group. She was named 2003's Outstanding Young Democrat from Middle Tennessee by the Tennessee Young Democrats. She served several terms as Secretary of the Davidson County Young Democrats, and represented Tennessee as National Committeewoman of Young Democrats of America.

Wood County (WV) YD's Awarded for 3,000 Crosses Visibility Program

Tue, 19 Jun 2007 17:26:11 GMT

By Rod Snyder (WV)

APRIL 21, 2007, HUNTINGTON, WV – The Wood County chapter of the West Virginia Young Democrats received an award today for Most Outstanding Project or Event hosted by a local chapter during the 2006 calendar year. The group planted over 3,000 white crosses on a large hill visible from Route 50 in Wood County. Each cross symbolizes a soldier who has died during the war in Iraq.

John Gainer, immediate past president of the Wood County Young Democrats, was on hand to accept the award at the WVYD 2007 state convention in Huntington. He referred to the hillside as a “peace memorial,” which nearly two-dozen local Young Democrats helped erect last year. More crosses continue to be added as the death toll climbs.

The memorial has garnered significant media attention from around the state, including several newspaper and television reporters on hand last fall during the dedication ceremony.

Montgomery County (MD) Forum on Green Building

Tue, 19 Jun 2007 17:02:15 GMT

(via email)

The Young Democrats of Maryland (YDM) were proud to join the Montgomery County Young Democrats (MCYD) as they presented their “Ready, Set, Go Green!” Forum on Green Building.

The event brought together a panel of experts, practitioners, and elected officials to discuss what individuals can do to make their homes more energy efficient and green. Participants learned that the Montgomery County government is increasing its efforts to provide financial incentives to county residents who begin using alternative energy sources. State Delegate Bill Bronrott spoke of state initiatives for tax incentives to encourage residents to go green at home and on the road.

In addition to the changes in energy use, attendees were updated on the green building industry. Jason Holstine, owner of Amicus Green Building Center, explained that going green at home is not necessarily more expensive, especially in the long-run. Jason shared that as more builders and contractors within the industry learn the tools, the learning curve shrinks and green building is becoming no more expensive to implement at home then high-end home improvement products. David Pratt of the U.S. Green Building Council of Maryland discussed the LEED Certification program, including the development of a residential program.

The forum was well attended by Young Democrats from around the state, community activists, and the public. Excerpts and pictures from the forum will be available soon on our website: www.mcyd.org

Easy and helpful hints included:

Purchasing LED Light bulbs, although even better technology will soon be released. LED light bulbs produce almost no heat providing incredible energy savings, including utility bills.
Unplugging utilities when not in use, including entertainment units. Put all of your entertainment units onto a surge protector and just turn off the surge protector when you are not using the appliances, especially when you leave for the night.
Have an energy audit conducted on your home. Many utility companies can conduct one for you, even online.

Young Dem Action for Food Service Workers

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 19:40:37 GMT

On Wednesday, May 30, 2007, the Ann Arbor School Board is scheduled to approve the outsourcing and termination of 73 long-time food service workers. They are considering outsourcing to a foreign company Compass group the largest food service provider in the world.

MYD is encouraging members of the community to attend the school board meeting on Wednesday, May 30^th2007 and contact the board members. MYD is urging the board to reject the outsourcing proposal. As the board seeks to balance the budget, MYD has learned that the district's proposal has a disproportionate impact on the women in the food services department. The district is asking the women to take a 30% reduction in wages and benefits to avoid privatization. While other departments get raises, the lowest paid employees are being crushed and fired. They will lose their pension if the privatization proposal is approved.

School Board President Karen Cross, Helen Gates-Bryant (former union leader), and Glenn Nelson (grey panther) are Democrats. Democrat Susan Basket is committed to opposing the proposal. The community must convince these 3 Dems that privatization is not the best option. The Teamsters Lunch ladies, who are also members of the Michigan State AFL-CIO, are willing to negotiate 10% reductions in benefits and wages. They are team players. But asking for 30% cuts is too severe and unfair.

The community must also stand up for the students in Ann Arbor. Food quality, health and safety are compromised when you lose long time employees to privatization. MYD believes the board should retain workers we know and trust to interact with children.

MAKE A STAND AGAINST OUTSOURCING!

DO NOT FIRE THE FOOD SERVICE WORKERS!

Stand with the Young Democrats, Teamster 214 Food service workers, Rev. Charles E. Williams II, Women's right's activists, parents, teachers, clergy, and community members!

Wednesday May, 30th, 2007
Ann Arbor Board of Education Meeting
Arrive between 6:15 pm and 6:30 pm
Board meeting begins at 7:30 pm
District Library, 4th Floor Board

343 South Fifth Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI

RSVP to <email>
or call 313-530-3082 for more info

Action Steps -

1. Call and e-mail Karen Cross, Board President at 734-741-4480 and <email>
(very important - she is key)

1. Call and e-mail the other 6 board members - urge them not to outsource the lunch ladies, urge them to balance the budget in a more even handed way (please review talking points)

2. Please mobilize people to attend rally and board meeting on Wednesday, May 30th - each us need to ARRIVE with FIVE!

3. Forward this information to all your friends and contacts -

Here is some info/talking points about the proposal: Privatization will costs schools more. There are hidden costs and indirect costs. Contractors often price-gouge in future contract negotiations. Food workers supervisor children in one on one situations. The Schools will have to hire additional supervisors. Richmond , VA schools lost $900,000.00 during the first year of their contract with Chartwells in 2005. Privatization is not good for student health and
safety – with outsourcing, high turnover and substandard wages and inadequate benefits - Ann Arbor Schools will lose experienced, qualified workers and children supervisors we know and trust with our children. Food will be served by inexperienced employees who can't afford health care. Not only will food quality be adversely affected, but children will be exposed to unnecessary and destabilizing staff turnover.

The Chartwell experiment of 100% privatization with low-wage workers failed in nearby Ypsilanti . The Washtenaw County Inspector reported life-threatening safety violations by the outside vendor. This was reported in the Ann Arbor News. This is a health and safety issue.

Workers should make a living wage – the privatization proposal put workers below the poverty line. Ann Arbor Schools are balancing the budget by breaking the backs of the women in food services, many who are seniors. These women are the lowest paid employees in the district. The workers are providing leadership and are willing to make concessions of 10% in wages
and benefits. Ann Arbor Schools should not unfairly target groups they perceive as having the least amount of political clout. The Schools want a 25 to 30% reduction in wages and benefits. That's too severe. Ann Arbor Schools is considering outsourcing to a foreign company, Campass group. Chartwell is a subgroup of Campass group. There is an adverse economic impact on communities when school districts contract out to other parts of the country or overseas. The employment base is eroded when good jobs are replaced with poor jobs. Resources are also drained from the local economy as profits are transferred outside the community.

MI YD's Push for YD School Board Candidate

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 19:30:35 GMT

(via email)

... members of the Michigan Young Democrats and the Pontiac Area Young Dems will go door to door in support of Kermit Williams for Pontiac School Board Trustee. Williams is a Key young dem leader in the Michigan Young Democrats. He is endorsed by key labor groups, is active in civil rights efforts, and has a strong record of working with and mentoring young adults.

Volunteers from across the state will meet this Saturday outside of the Pontiac City Hall parking lot at 1 pm.

For more information about this action please call Kermit Williams...

RI YD: Downcity After (work) Hours: Join Us for Dinner and a Movie

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 15:51:42 GMT

(via email)

On Thursday, the RIYD will continue its "Summer Series" of events to organize new members and, as usual, have fun doing it! Upcoming events include a beach clean up and barbecue in Westerly during July and the end of summer bash in Newport to celebrate the end of the RIYD's board's term.

But Thursday, please join us at
6:00 p.m.
at Tazza
250 Westminster Street, Providence

for a night of networking, FREE appetizers, cocktails, and conversation. And following our event, we will shut down the street for a free outdoor screening of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon at 9:00pm. Fun young Democrats, free food, drinks at a great spot, and a free movie. What's better than that?!

Holt Makes an Appearance at the NJYD Convention

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 00:51:03 GMT

Congressman Rush Holt (D-NJ-12) dropped in the New Jersey Young Democrats Convention. Competence and confidence. According to Congressman Holt, that's what all voters, in particular young voters, are looking for in their leaders today. He reminded us that young voters have the numbers to actually demand this through their vote.

Congressman Holt was asked about the failed bill regarding funding for the war in Iraq. Voters young and not-so-young are upset that the Democratic congress has not been able to get us out of Iraq. Holt mentioned that this was one of many expectations that voters want out of the Democratic Congress. He felt that even if the Dems didn't have the votes to over-ride the presidential veto on this, they are still changing the tide, including the direction of the war. He noted that Speaker Pelosi is committed to ending the war and that it will happen eventually.

The Congressman was asked about the viability of a single-payer health system. Holt noted that the best health care system we have right now is Medicare, proving that single-payer universal coverage does work and he feels that eventually we will have it in this country.

One young dem bemoaned the political apathy on his college campus - the College Republicans had two members and the College Dems didn't exist. Holt responded without hesitation: "So you have a tremendous opportunity there!"

NJ: Young Democratic Candidates Successful at School Board Elections

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 00:16:19 GMT

(via email)

The following young Democrats were successful in their elections to this year’s school board races.

Christian Estevez Plainfield Board of Ed
Ralph Humphrey Hillside Board of Ed
Jason Jones Neptune Board of Ed
Francie Joseph-Keating West Paterson Board of Ed
Richard Liguori North Brunswick Board of Ed
Andrew Sayeigh Paterson Board of Ed
Vincent Strumolo Belleville Board of Ed
Louis Venezia Bloomfield Board of Ed
Sam Yodice West Paterson Board of Ed

YDWA Campaigning and Advocating

Sat, 16 Jun 2007 00:10:46 GMT

by Aaron Belenky (WA)

With extensive service on campaigns, doorbelling, and phone banking, the Young Democrats of Washington were involved in the successful election of numerous Democrats across the state. Our efforts touched the elections of U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, State Senators Chris Marr, Derek Kilmer, Rodney Tom, and a close call with Congressional Candidate Darcy Burner. In all, YDWA knocked on more than 6,000 doors and placed nearly 20,000 pieces of campaign literature. In addition to being a crucial election year, it was one of the most active campaign cycles for YDWA.

After November’s election, we turned our political focus to the Legislature. Over 80 Young Democrats traveled to the February 20th YDWA Lobby Day in Olympia to meet and lobby legislators on a variety of bills. The day began with a lesson in Lobbying 101 from WFSE’s Dennis Eagle, which was quickly applied. Our members lobbied on a array of issues, including online and same day voter registration, free press rights for students, simple majorities for school levies, and medically-accurate sex-ed.

The day wrapped up at the Washington State Democrats’ Crab Feed, where, along with our fellow Democrats, we heard from Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer about Democratic success in his state.

YDWA banquet shows young electeds and Congressional hopeful

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 22:27:13 GMT

by Aaron Belenky (WA)

YDWA has seen many of its members run for and serve in elected office, including U.S. Senator Warren Magnuson and Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels. At this year’s Banquet, the grand finale to our annual convention of 160 young democrats from across Washington, we welcomed two newly-elected County Commissioners under the age of 30, Kitsap County Commissioner Josh Brown and Cowlitz County Commissioner Axel Swanson.

Having graduated for the University of California at Berkeley, Josh Brown returned to his home in Kitsap County and jumped in the political arena to beat a conservative Republican in a growing, swing county. He overcame a post-election legal challenge by Republicans, and has been serving the residents of Kitsap County tirelessly ever since.

Axel Swanson, having compiled an impressive resume serving in the Marine Reserves and obtaining both Masters’ and Law Degrees in quick succession, decided to run for Cowlitz County Commissioner in 2006. He knocked on thousands of doors and hit the campaign trail hard, handily beating a Republican incumbent in a tough race. Since his election, he has proven to be an ardent public servant, stepping forward as an advocate in his county of a range of tough issues.

Josh and Axel spoke about their experiences running for office as young candidates and the importance of young people’s perspective in the political process.

YDWA also was pleased to welcome George Fearing, a candidate for the U.S. Congress from Central Washington’s 4^th Congressional District. An attorney, longtime active Democrat, and former intern for Senator Warren Magnuson and Rep. Tom Foley, George is challenging the 4^th District’s Rep. Doc Hastings, pledging to fight to fund education, expand health care coverage, and protect our economy.

WV Young Dems Tap New Leadership Team

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 00:18:21 GMT

(via email)

HUNTINGTON, WV - The new President of the West Virginia Young Democrats (WVYD) announced today that the statewide political organization elected a new leadership team during its annual convention on Sunday in Huntington.

“I am honored to have such widespread support from the West Virginia Young Democrats, and I’m ready to get to work to grow the Democratic Party and elect more Democrats to public office throughout the state,” said newly elected president Rod Snyder, a 26-year-old from Jefferson County. “Our organization is not only influencing elections today, but also we are giving the next generation of Democratic public servants the tools needed to lead West Virginia throughout the 21^st century.”

Snyder has been active with the Young Democrats of America at the local, state, and national levels since 2003, when he founded the Jefferson County chapter. He was a candidate for the West Virginia House of Delegates in 2004 and is the son of former State Senator Herb Snyder who served the in the 16^th senatorial district from 1996 – 2004.

In addition to Snyder, the following Young Democrats were elected to office: Tyler Oyler of Jefferson County, Vice President; Noah Barnes of Monongalia County, Secretary; John Gainer of Wood County, Treasurer; Margaret A. Chapman of Cabell County, National Committeewoman; and Daniel Tompkins of Kanawha County, National Committeeman.

“The West Virginia Young Democrats are an important part of the Democratic Party,” said Nick Casey, Chairman of the West Virginia Democratic Party. “I am confident that President Rod Snyder and all of the Young Democrats will build on the past successes of the Young Dems as we head toward 2008.”

The convention in Huntington included speeches from U.S. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) and Congressman Nick Rahall (D-WV-3), as well as campaign training and general preparation workshops for the 2008 election season. The WVYD organization also agreed to several resolutions dealing with the war in Iraq; global climate change; and recognizing the efforts of two-term past president Derek Scarbro of Huntington.

The West Virginia Young Democrats consists of 37 chapters throughout the state, with more than 700 members. It was first chartered with the Young Democrats of America in 1936.

Young Dems appointed to state party Affirmative Action and Rules Committees

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 16:59:55 GMT

The Young Democrats of Maryland is proud to announce that two members of their organization, President, Jennifer Kramer, and Executive Vice President, Stephen Thibodeau, were selected to sit on the Affirmative Action Committee and Rules Committee as the Maryland Democratic Party (MDP) drafted their Delegate Selection Plan for the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado. The plan is available for your review at www.mddems.org, and it is now open for public comment.

As part of this year's plan, in addition to the traditional gender equity, and representation from all racial groups, the MDP Rules Committee has suggested an aspirational goal for the inclusion of 13 youth delegates from Maryland to next year's convention! This is a material change from the 2004 Delegate Selection Plan, where no such goal for youth delegates was included. As such, the Young Democrats of Maryland is strongly urging adoption of the draft Delegate Selection Plan.

This is a great step to ensure that youth have a voice in the upcoming Presidential race as well as encourage further participation and inclusion in the Maryland Democratic Party. We are so excited that MDP has taken this step, and our full support for this step should be voiced.

New Caucuses in Texas

Tue, 12 Jun 2007 07:22:43 GMT

by Shondra Wygal (TX)

The Texas Young Democrats is proud to announce the creation of two new caucuses. The Veteran's and Military Affairs Caucus and the Rural Caucus were both created at our last convention.

The leadership team of the Veterans & Military Affairs (VMA) Caucus look forward to starting a caucus within the Young Democrats of America. The Chair of the VMAC has served in Iraq and is currently a substitute teacher in the Ft. Bend County School District of Texas.

The Veterans & Military Caucus Leadership Team:

Joshua D. Beers
Harris County Young Democrats

The Rural Caucus Leadership Team:

Daniel Melder, Rural Caucus Chair
Lampasas County Young Democrats

North Carolina YD's working on in-person voter registration

Thu, 24 May 2007 18:30:05 GMT

(via email)

Below is a great op-ed that was placed in the Fayetteville paper this week regarding our In Person Registration bill.

Melissa Price
Vice President of the Young Democrats of North Carolina

Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Bill makes voting easier
By Phillip Hunter Gilfus
Fayetteville

I arrived in Mosul, Iraq, two months after the January 2005 elections, the nation's first free election in almost half a century. Despite the threats of widespread violence and terror, the Iraqi people went to the ballot box in droves, proudly displaying their purple ink-stained thumbs, symbolizing they had voted. Those purple thumbs were not only a source of pride for the Iraqis, but also for my fellow soldiers. They secured themselves a place in history by providing the opportunity for the people of Mosul and the larger Ninawah Province to take their first steps into a newborn democracy. The sense of accomplishment and hope for the future remained in the region, even after the ink had been washed off those thumbs.

Today in North Carolina, we have an opportunity to enhance our own democracy, which has served as a beacon of hope for the people of Iraq and for many nations in the world. This past March, the state House passed House Bill 91, a bill that provides for in-person registration at the "early voting" polling sites (usually the county Board of Elections). However, this bill has yet to be acted on by the state Senate. Many organizations, including Democracy North Carolina, Common Cause, the Election Boards Association of North Carolina and the N.C. League of Women Voters, support this bill and hope to persuade our own state Sen. Tony Rand to schedule this bill for a simple vote. Our other state senator, Larry Shaw, is the primary sponsor of the Senate's version of this legislation (Senate Bill 195).

Many have called this legislation "same-day voter registration," but that description has led to some confusion. I encourage people to read the bill for themselves on the General Assembly's Web site: www.ncleg.net. Briefly, it would allow eligible voters to register to vote and then cast a ballot at an early voting poll site during the early "no-excuse" voting period, but not on Election Day itself. Voters must show proof of their addresses and sign a statement attesting to the given information. If this attestation is false, it would constitute a Class I felony. The county Board of Elections then verifies the registration information before Election Day, preventing any potential voter fraud.

Like other citizens of our community, and as one who was privileged to wear the Stars and Stripes on his uniform, I am proud of the sense of duty, honor and country in the uniformed members of Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base. However, as much as we make of the freedom they defend, it seems that we do not place the same emphasis of duty, honor and country in the exercising of that freedom through voting and participation in our government.
During France's recent presidential election, they had a voter turnout rate of 85 percent. Our state's average voter turnout rate is 47.8 percent, and in 2004, of those age 18 to 24 years old, only 38 percent of them made it to the polls. These statistics should ring as a call to action for us. In the six states that have in-person registration, the average voter turnout rate is 74 percent. We should strive to make our county and our state as among the best in voter turnout.

The most common concern with this bill is the potential for voter fraud. This bill has already been given support from the state Board of Elections. Gary Bartlett, the executive director of the state board, wrote in a Feb. 15 letter that "following the procedures described in the legislation, I believe we can preserve the security and integrity of the election process and provide additional access for citizens who miss the registration deadline." He further said that this bill would actually lessen the amount of work that local boards of elections must do by decreasing the number of provisional ballots. The states that already have this process in place have not reported any significant amount of voter fraud or any other concerns.

It should be our goal to eliminate all impediments to voting for all eligible citizens. It should not be easier to vote for "Dancing With the Stars" or "American Idol" than to vote for our elected leaders. Alexander Hamilton wrote in Federalist No. 1 that "it seems to have been reserved to the people of this country...to decide the important question, whether societies of men are really capable...of establishing good government from reflection and choice, or whether they are forever destined to depend...on accident and force."

Let us renew our commitment to our democracy and to our civic religion by promoting our fellow citizens' ability to reflect and choose. We should not allow the future of our community, state and nation to be determined by accident and force. It is up to us to contact our state senators through e-mails, telephone calls or letters to the editor and let them know that we want to increase the number of people who can be proud of those purple thumbs here at home.

Phillip Hunter Gilfus is the vice president of the Cumberland County Young Democrats. He can be contacted at ncpublicservant [at] gmail [dot] com.

--
Melissa Price
Executive Director of Wake County Democratic Party
Vice President of Young Democrats of North Carolina
Chair of Young Democrats of NC Women's Caucus

YDA Spring Conference and 1st Annual Revolution Roast

Thu, 24 May 2007 18:22:17 GMT

by Andrea Pagano (DC)

Young Democrats from across the country joined together in Omaha, Nebraska last weekend for a full weekend of trainings, speakers, and fun! From New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson's address to the Young Dems to the Roasting of YDA President, Chris Gallaway - Omaha was definitely buzzing with excitement. Click here to view a summary of the weekend with a video and photos!

Maryland Young Democrats host Blue Barbeque

Wed, 16 May 2007 18:19:40 GMT

(cross-posted from email)

BLUE BARBEQUE
Bowie Baysox versus New Britain Rock Cats

Prince George’s Stadium
Bowie, Maryland
Saturday, June 18, 2007
Gates open at 6 pm

Event will feature an all-you-can-eat buffet and
Democrats from Central Maryland

Sponsored by:
Anne Arundel County Young Democrats
Prince Georges County Young Democrats

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