Momentum in Action: October is All Hands on Deck
The time for talking is over—October is about showing up. From the streets to the phones, from canvassing doors to candidate forums, we’re turning energy into action. Every call made, every sign painted, every crowd gathered builds the momentum our candidates need to win.
Across the nation, we see what happens when Republicans cling to power: voting rights gutted, women’s health under attack, public schools politicized, and billionaires protected while working families are squeezed. Now we’re watching the President deploy the National Guard and ICE into American cities, bypassing local authority and shredding due process. Authoritarianism is not creeping in—it’s marching down Main Street with sirens blaring.
The contrast couldn’t be clearer. Democrats fight for fairness, freedom, and the power of communities to govern themselves. Republicans push fear, division, and a crown-for-a-king style of politics that undermines democracy itself.
That’s why this October matters. This month, we’re fighting back with protest and power: a sign-making session on the 10th, the No Kings Rally on the 18th, and a full calendar of GOTV phone banking and canvassing. We’ll support our candidates at the forum, build community at Shoutfest, then close out the month with a Halloween Phonebanking Party—because a low voter turnout is SCARY.
Momentum only matters if we move. Let’s move together, all in, all hands on deck.
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Attend the Aiken City Council Candidate Forum – October 16
Instead of our usual monthly meeting, we’ll be gathering at the Aiken City Council Candidate Forum hosted by the Aiken Standard. This is the most impactful place for us to be that night—listening, showing support, and engaging directly with the candidates on the November ballot.
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Where: South Aiken High School, 232 East Pine Log Road
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When: Doors open at 5:30 pm for a candidate meet-and-greet; program begins at 6:00 pm.
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Moderator: John Boyette, Executive Editor of the Aiken Standard
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Format: Q&A with equal time for all candidates, plus opening and closing statements
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Cost: Free to attend, no RSVP required
Several of our Democratic candidates will be on stage—including Lessie Price (District 2), Jacob Ellis (District 4), Braylen Waldo (District 5), and Lisa Smith (District 6)—your presence makes a difference. Let’s fill the room, ask thoughtful questions, and show that Aiken Democrats are engaged and ready.
Reminder: Early voting runs from October 20 to 31 at the Ronnie Young Aiken County Government Center, 1930 University Parkway, weekdays from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.
Momentum means showing up. See you at the forum.
For more information click HERE.
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Become an ACDP Poll Watcher Today
This year, the City of Aiken will be electing City Council members in Districts 2, 4, 5, and 6, and New Ellenton will also be electing members of their City Council. For the first time since the Aiken City Council districts were reorganized in 2011, Democrats are running in all the districts.
We need your help as an ACDP Poll Watcher during Early Voting, Oct. 20 - 31, and on Election Day, Nov. 4 to make sure that every registered voter can cast a ballot.
To be a Poll Watcher, you must be a registered voter in Aiken County and attend a training session scheduled by the Aiken County Democratic Party.
Below are the sign-up options for Early Voting, the City of Aiken, City of New Ellenton.The training sign-up is listed separately. State law allows up to 2 Poll Watchers at a time in the polling place from each party. If you have a preferred Poll Watching Partner, please note it on the sign-up page. Both watchers must sign up.
If you sign up for Early Voting Poll Watching, you will select the day(s) and 3- hour shift(s) between Oct. 20 - 24 and/or Oct. 27 - 31. All Early Voting will be held at the Aiken County Elections Office in the County Government Center, 1930 University Parkway between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on those days.
Please select one of the training times before Early Voting begins.
| If you sign-up as a New Ellenton Poll Watcher, you will have a 4-hour shift at the New Ellenton Community Center, 212 Pine Hill Ave., New Ellenton on Nov. 4, 2025. | If you select City of Aiken, you and a partner will be assigned as a RovingPoll Watcher on a route of 4 – 5 nearby polling places for Election Day, Nov. 4. You will visit each location to check on how voting is going and to report back to ACDP on turnout. You will then move on to the next polling place. You should visit each polling place 2 or 3 times during your half day shift. | If you cannot attend any of these training options, please contact Ann Willbrand, annw@gforcecable.com, 803-645-8042 for alternatives. | |
Join the No Kings 2.0 Rally - October 18th
50501 Aiken and the ACDP have been called to join the No Kings 2.0 Rally at the State House in Columbia as part of the national “50 States, 50 Capitals” protest organized by 50501SC and Indivisible SC. This is our moment to stand shoulder to shoulder with thousands of South Carolinians and say loud and clear: We don’t do kings in America.
Our Plan:
- Meet-Up: ACDP Office, 410 Richland Ave West
- Departure: 11:00 a.m. sharp—we’ll caravan and carpool to Columbia
- Event: Protest and march at the State House
What to Bring: Comfortable shoes, water, and your best protest sign.
This is more than a rally—it’s a march for democracy and a stand against authoritarianism. Add your voice, bring your energy, and be part of history.
Sign up today to save your spot in the caravan or meet us there. Together, we’ll show South Carolina what democracy looks like.
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Protest Sign Making Party for No Kings with 50501 at the UU Church of Augusta!
No matter where you'll be on October 18th for No Kings, join us for a sign-making party to prepare for the big day. We're partnering with 50501 Augusta and 50501 SC on a statewide party to create new No Kings-themed signs via Zoom on both party days.
Bring your creative fury and channel it into signs showing that we bow to NO KINGS.
RSVP below for more details!
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Phone Bankin’ for Aiken
Join us at the Aiken County Democratic Party office during regular office hours to make calls to voters on behalf of our City Council candidates.
What to bring:
Charged cell phone
Laptop (if available)
Light refreshments provided. Every call helps shape Aiken’s future.
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Come volunteer with the ACDP at Shoutfest Unityfest! Shoutfest Unityfest is coming to Generations Park on Saturday, October 18th.
We’ll have a table at the festival, but we need you to help make it a success. Sign up to cover a shift at our table—chat with neighbors, hand out info, and keep the momentum going.
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Meet the ACDP Slate — Five Leaders, One Mission
Together, these candidates represent the strength, diversity, and shared vision of a better Aiken. Each brings unique experience and commitment, but they’re united in the fight for an honest, people-first government.
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Braylen Waldo — Aiken City Council District 5
WEBSITE:
https://waldo4thepeople.org/
FACEBOOK
Donate to Braylen Waldo HERE.

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Lisa Smith — Aiken City
Council District 6
WEBSITE:
HERE
FACEBOOK
Donate to Lisa Smith HERE.

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Early voting runs from October 20 to 31 at the Aiken County Government Center, 1930 University Parkway, weekdays from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.
Election Day is November 4th.
For more information or to find your polling location go to scvotes.gov or call us at
803-648-6595.
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Councilwoman Geneva Jackson -
New Ellenton City Council
Get in touch with Geneva HERE.
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Take Action: Become a Democracy Builder!
Democracy Builders is the South Carolina Democratic Party’s new year-round organizing program. Whether you’ve been involved for years or are brand-new to politics, this is your invitation to get off the sidelines and help build Democratic power from the ground up!
What Does a Democracy Builder Do?
Democracy Builders take on one of the most important roles in the movement. You become the bridge between your community and our movement. Democracy Builders are responsible for connecting at least three times over the next year with 35-50 voters who live in your community. You will help your community get involved and elect Democrats. From family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors, your role is to connect, inform, and engage them with the Democratic Party.
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GET INVOLVED. STAY READY:
OCTOBER AT A GLANCE
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Need a handy copy for the fridge? Click the image to download and print this month’s calendar.
Want to be the first to know when action is needed on local issues?
Join our Civic Engagement & Rapid Response Team to take action when it matters most. Sign up HERE.
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Fuel the Fight
We are in the final stretch of this year. The stakes have never been higher—every dollar you give fuels our candidates, powers our organizing, and pushes us closer to a historic win this November. Stand with us. Give today.
Scan the QR code or click HERE to donate.
We’re in this together.

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We are living through a moment that demands courage and persistence. From the White House to the State House, authoritarian power is tightening its grip, but here in Aiken we refuse to be silent or sidelined. Every call, every door knock, every sign in the street is a declaration: democracy belongs to the people.
This October, let’s prove it. Together we’ll build the kind of momentum that cannot be ignored—momentum that carries us through November and beyond.
All hands. All in. Let’s win this.
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AIKEN COUNTY
DEMOCRATIC PARTY
410 Richland Avenue West,
Aiken, South Carolina 29801
803-648-6595
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