We've Moved!

Same address, same phone number, but just down the hall

From now on, visitors will have to walk to the front of the building from the parking lot and enter through the front glass doors. Our new suite (still #195) is down the hall to the left. Come by and visit our new digs!!

Thanks to all the wonderful volunteers for the help with the move! BTW, most of the old furniture is available for purchase - let us know if you or someone you know is interested in any of it.

February 1, 2024

Newsletter

Black History Month

African Americans and the Arts



Please note: our newsletters contain a lot of links to make viewing the source easier - just click on images or linked text to explore

IN THIS ISSUE:

• Black History Month
• Go Texas Parade - Feb 17th
• TDP Talking Points - Black History Month and Save the Dates
• Check Voting Location and Sample Ballot
• Important Ballot by Mail Information
• Primary Election - Key Dates
• What Goes on at a County Convention?
• Convention Committee Volunteers Needed!
• County Executive Committee Meeting
• Final Friday - February 23rd
• Bridge Issues - Voting
• Immigration Information and Resources
• Texas Senate Bill 4 - process explained
• Democratic Party Events Around the County
• Joe and Kamala's Corner (click on an image to open)
• Tweets (click on an image to open)
• Texas Blue Store
• Democratic Party Calendar of Upcoming Events
• Other Groups and Community Events

This newsletter is published on or about the 1st and the 15th of every month.

Email content for consideration to communications@mcdptx.org

no later than 3 days before publication.

VOLUNTEERS/PARTICIPANTS WANTED FOR

GO TEXAN PARADE

The Montgomery County Democratic Party is going to have a float in the Go Texan Parade in downtown Conroe on February 17, 2024 and we really want to have a crowd come walk with us. All of our local candidates have been invited to join us and they would love to have you there too!

This year’s theme is “HATS, HORSES, AND HEROES”. We are focusing on “EVERYDAY HEROES”, so dress-up or wear a hat that represents a hardworking Texan, such as: first responders, veterans, doctors, nurses, trade workers, teachers, farmers, ranchers, etc. Kids are especially welcome! When we all walk together we look happy, energetic, and welcoming!  

We would also love to have you help us decorate the float, beginning at 9 a.m. under the overpass across from the Conroe Main Library. Or you can just join us there at 11 o’clock for the 1 p.m. step off.   

Parking is easy at the Park-and-Ride lot under the overpass across from the Conroe Main Library on the I-45 Feeder or at Sacred Heart Church on Frazier Street in Conroe. We will be in line on Metcalf Street between the I-45 feeder and North Frazier St and we will be hard to miss!  

To volunteer to help decorate, or to find us on parade day, text Laurie McSpadden at 806-690-7470.

Today marks the first day of Black History Month -- a time reserved for the celebration and amplification of the continual impact of Black Americans on our nation’s history and our future.

Through innovation, culture, public service, advocacy, and so much more -- Black Americans are central to the success of our country. Despite centuries-old disparities, we continue to break through systemic barriers set before us. Every American today over the age of two has experienced a “first” for Black Americans in their lifetime. This is a reminder that there are still heights we have yet to reach. 

Right now, in 2024, we have the chance to fight back against those same inherent inequities that oppress us. It is our duty to honor the giants that came before us by uplifting their resilience and exercising what so many Black Americans fought to secure -- the right to vote. With our vote, we have the opportunity -- and the obligation -- to shape the future that we seek for this state by electing leaders who actually represent Black communities and reflect the values we hold so dearly.

Black history is Texas history -- no matter how hard MAGA Republicans in power want to erase it. Elected GOP officials worked to effectively erase Black literature, including the works of Dr. Martin Luther King, from our classrooms. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs are now banned on Texas colleges and university campuses. Donald Trump’s Supreme Court decimated affirmative action practices. 

It’s abundantly clear that the extremist MAGA agenda to subtract rights and practices protecting Black Americans, and other historically underserved communities, is a top priority for them. Democrats in Texas and across the country are the only party committed to actually advancing the rights of all Americans. Period. 

We’re working to mobilize our coalition of Black Democratic voters to secure a future our next generation can be proud of. Let us all use this time to reflect and honor all those who have paved the way for our present and future so the next generation can live in a world where Black history is honored -- not erased.



Shay Wyrick-Cathey

Vice Chair, Texas Democratic Party

Odus Evbagharu

Treasurer, Texas Democratic Party

You have until Monday, February 5th, to send in your voter registration application or address confirmation form.

Check Your Voter Registration, Voting Location, and Get a Sample Ballot!

It is important before each election to check your voter registration to determine where to vote and to be sure your registration is current. Note that Precinct lines have changed for many precincts because of the growth in our county. You may now be in a different precinct than you were in when you last voted in November 2023.

Also be sure to check where you can vote for early voting and for Election Day Voting. It will probably be different! Only a few voting locations are open for early voting and you may vote at any of them. However, on election day you must go to your precinct or the one open for your precinct.

You may also download a copy of your ballot for the March 5th Primary on this page.

Always Check!!

Check Your Registration and Location

Ballot by Mail Information

Texas GOP legislators love to be creative in getting things done…..like making it harder to vote. The law now requires eligible, registered voters to reapply every year to receive mail-in ballots for elections in that year.

Application forms are available from your local elections office or the Secretary of State, or may be downloaded, printed, completed and submitted by mail or in person. 

Important note: when filling out the application, it asks for your SSN or your driver license number, which you used when you registered to vote. We recommend putting down both if you don’t remember. If you put down the wrong one, your application will be rejected. 

Applications must be received by 2/23/2024 for the

March 5, 2024 Primary Elections. 

Click here for the application and more information

In a recent publication on Community Impact:

“Texas law requires eligible registered voters to submit an application to vote by mail starting Jan. 1 each year. Voters can mark "annual" on the application and receive a mail-in ballot for the pertinent 2024 elections in their jurisdiction, according to the release.”

For the full article click here

For comprehensive voting information check out Vote411

What Goes on at our Local Democratic Party Convention?

If you have been a Democrat for a while now, but you have never attended a local Democratic Party Convention, this may be the year for you to try it out. Our local County/Congressional District Convention is being held this year on March 23, 2024, at 10 a.m. at Lone Star Community Center, 2500 Lone Star Parkway, Montgomery, Texas, and if you are a Democratic Voter in Montgomery County, you are invited and encouraged to attend.

Election of Delegates

First, the local Convention is the bridge that connects the local precincts, the County, Senatorial Districts and the Congressional Districts to the State and through the State, to the National Party. It brings all of the smaller geographic districts together as a whole, in one location, all at one time, to elect their region’s delegates to the State Convention. Electing and sending our own delegates forward to the State and National Conventions is the way we make sure that our voices are heard all the way through to Washington, D.C.

During the Presidential Election Cycle, we elect delegates to the State and National Convention who pledge themselves to certain presidential candidates. As delegates to the local convention, we express our presidential preferences by voting for delegates to go to the State and National Conventions that are pledged to the candidates we choose.  That’s how “The great Lone Star State of Texas, home of oil wells and wind farms, pledges 20 votes to Hilary Clinton and 18 votes to Bernie Sanders” on National TV during the Democratic National Convention.

Resolutions

At the Convention, in addition to electing our delegates to the State Convention, we also debate resolutions on policies and issues such as women’s rights, protecting the environment, social justice reform, and so on. If any resolutions are passed by our members at the local level, our local resolutions are then sent forward to the State Convention for consideration. And from there, the resolutions from each of the States are gathered together for consideration at the National level.  In this way, our local issues and concerns make their way forward into the National Party Platform and future legislation.

 Other Committees

While the main convention business is going on several other party infrastructure Committees are at work taking care of internal Party business such as the Rules Committee and the Nominations Committee. If you are interested in the inner workings of the Party, you can campaign to become a delegate to the State and National Convention, serve on some of the governance committees, and more.

Meet the Candidates

Many Federal, State, and local candidates visit the County Conventions and are given an opportunity to speak. There is usually an inspiring opening ceremony and a rousing and informative keynote speaker at the beginning of the Convention to help us remember why we are Democrats and who will unify us in our efforts to get out the vote! You can also pick up candidate campaign information, political swag, and lunch before things run out!

 Okay, I am sold! How can I Participate?

So, you see, participation in the County Convention is both important and interesting! You may participate as a delegate, which means that you must first vote in the Democratic Primary that begins with early voting on February 20^th. You must not vote in the Republican Primary, or, if you do, swear an oath of allegiance to the Democratic Party and meet other credentialling criteria. You may also attend the convention as a visitor with no voting privileges. If you are visitor you are welcome to listen to all proceedings, as by principle, all Democratic Party meetings are open to the public.

We also encourage Young Democrats of any age to come. It is early exposure to the values of the Democratic Party and the notion of voting as a part of every citizen’s duty that will keep Democracy strong now and in the future. 

If you are interested in being a delegate or helping on any of the committees, look for volunteer sign-up opportunities throughout this newsletter and go to the link below to preregister for our County Convention and to indicate your interest in being a State Convention Delegate! We hope to see you at both!! 

County and Texas State Convention Pre-Registration Form

It’s Time for Us to Plan the County Convention

and We Need Your Help!

In March of the even numbered years, after the Primary Election, the Texas State Democratic Party mandates that the County Party hold a County/Congressional District (CD) Convention. The Convention is held on the same day of the week, across the whole state, for the purpose of selecting Delegates to the State Convention, and fulfilling the duties of the Credentials, Rules, Nominations, and Platform and Resolutions Committees. 

2024 is a Presidential Election year. In presidential years, delegates are elected proportionately to the number of supporters for a presidential candidate or uncommitted status at the County/CD Convention and if there are remaining slots unfilled, those may be filled by any presidential preference. The Delegates selected at the County/CD Convention will be eligible to go forward as Montgomery County delegates to the State Democratic Convention at the El Paso Convention Center on June 6-8, 2024.

This year, the County Convention is set for March 23, 2024. 

Because it is a Presidential Election Year, this year will be an especially exciting and interesting year to serve on the County/CD Convention committee. Any Democratic voter in our County can register to come to the County Convention and we hope to have at least 300 attendees. We need to organize guest speakers, select a venue, prepare a program, provide for convention officers, solicit chairpersons for each of the required convention committees, setup registration and credentialling, arrange for refreshments, signage, media, and a myriad of other details. Serving on this Committee is a great way to learn about Party operations and contribute to a critical County event.

If you are interested in joining the Convention Committee, send an email to office@mcdptx.org or call at 936-273-5841. If you have never served on a committee with us, this will be a great place to start. We need every curious, talented, eager, interested Democrat we can muster to help with this amazing event!

Join the Team! Yes, We Can!

County Executive Committee Report

By Ginger Blair

Chair, Montgomery County Democratic Party

The Montgomery County Executive Committee Democratic ended 2023 and began 2024 by performing several mandatory and statutory functions of the Party as required by the Texas Secretary of State and the Texas Democratic Party in preparation for the Democratic Primary Election season.

The purpose of the Statutory CEC meeting on December 12, 2023, was for the purpose of establishing the time and place of the County/Congressional District Convention on March 23, 2024. The purpose of the mandatory meeting on December 21, 2023, was to establish the order in which the Primary candidate’s names would appear on the Primary Ballot.

Interestingly, according to Texas Election Law, the names are to appear on the ballot in random order. At our meeting on December 12^th, in accordance with the rules, numbered ping pong balls equal to the number of candidates running for an office were placed in a large bowl. As the candidate’s name was announced, a numbered ping pong ball was drawn from the bowl and that number then determined the candidate’s place on the ballot.   Various individuals in attendance drew the numbers which were then recorded on a sheet provided by the Texas Democratic Party and sent to the Secretary of State.

The results were as follows:

PRESIDENT

1.      CENK UYGUR

2.      JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

3.      DEAN PHILLIPS

4.      GABRIEL A. CORNEJO

5.      ARMANDO "MANDO" PEREZ-SERRATO

6.      STAR LOCKE

7.      MARIANNE WILLIAMSON

8.      FRANKIE LOZADA

U. S. SENATOR

1.      HELI RODRIGUEZ PRILLIMAN

2.      COLIN ALLRED

3.      MARK GONZALEZ

4.      MERI GOMEZ

5.      THIERRY TCHENKO

6.      STEVEN J. KEOUGH

7.      AARON ARGUIJO*

8.      A "ROBERT" HASSAN

9.      ROLAND GUTIERREZ

10.   CARL OSCAR SHERMAN

*withdrawn

US REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 2

PETER FILLER

US REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 8

LAURA JONES

RAILROAD COMMISSIONER

1.      BILL BURCH

2.      KATHERINE CULBERT

JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT, PLACE 2

1.      DASEAN JONES

2.      RANDY SAROSDY

JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT, PLACE 4

CHRISTINE VINH WEEMS

JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT, PLACE 6

1.      BONNIE LEE GOLDSTEIN

2.      JOE POOL

PRESIDING JUDGE, COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

HOLLY TAYLOR

JUDGE, COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS PLACE 7

NANCY MULDER

JUDGE, COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS PLACE 8

CHIKA ANYIAM

STATE SENATOR, DISTRICT 7

1.      MICHELLE GWINN

2.      NASIR H. MALIK

COUNTY CHAIR

1.      GINGER BLAIR

2.      NATALIE WARD

The last major thing to report is that our lease expired at the end of the year and because of all the improvements the new owner has made to the building, the proposed new rent was approximately double our current rent. After negotiating with the landlord, we are working on securing a new two year lease for a smaller suite of offices in a different part of the building at a rate just slightly lower rate per square foot as it does not include a kitchen or bathroom.

Final Friday

February 23, 2024

Making Plans for your Extra Day

Don’t look now, but you are about to be given the gift of an extra day this year, and we are here to help you plan for it! Our Final Friday event for February is devoted to guiding you through all the things that you can do on your 2024 Leap Day that will make it a day well spent.

Our panel of speakers will:

• Take you through your sample Democratic ballot for the primary election, guide you through the Primary process, and debunk the urge to vote for the “lease worst” opponents on the other side.

• Show you how you, yourself, can impact your local voting site by becoming a secret “Sign Shifter” in your neighborhood.

• Explain how to register to become a delegate to our local Democratic Convention on March 23, 2024, in Montgomery, Texas.

• Help you directly impact the Democratic Party Platform by giving you the tools to write a Resolution to be read and voted on at our local convention so your voice on your important issues can be heard.

• Make sure that you are well connected with the other Democrats in your neighborhood so that you too can be part of the State Democratic Party Blueprint for Success in 2024. We will be United, Focused, and Ready to turn our County Blue.

               As usual, our Final Friday Social and Speaker Program is held the last Friday of the month at Montgomery County Democratic Headquarters, 704 N. Thompson St, Suite 195, Conroe, Texas, 77301. You may also watch it on Zoom.

           The link to watch virtually is highlighted in blue below. You may also watch on Facebook Live.

,

Topic: Making Plans for Leap Day 2024

Time: February 23, 2024, 6:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85874090628?pwd=RFNJVDRnM3N4aFJ1cFFBQlk1Smlpdz09

Meeting ID: 858 7409 0628

Passcode: 41243

+1 346 248 7799 US Houston

Bridge Issues



Each month in 2024 we will focus on a different Bridge Issue

February's Issue is Voting!

One of the best sources for understanding a party's position on any issue is their platform. To that end we are providing links here to the national and state parties' platforms. We suggest bookmarking these pages and referring to them throughout this election cycle to see where the parties stand. It's informative! (these links are to the most current platforms available online). (NOTE: we have added a link to Project 2025 which is essentially the Republican Party's plan for our country should the win in 2024.)

Texas Democratic Party Platform

Texas Republican Party Platform

National Democratic Platform

National Republican Platform

Project 2025

We do not believe the majority of Texans supports the position of the majority party in Austin.

Voting Security

Voting and polls are essential components of a democratic society, and

it’s natural to be concerned about their security. Fortunately, there

are many measures in place to ensure that your vote is protected and

that the election process is secure.

Many Republicans and Democrats in Montgomery County TX are involved in

working with Montgomery County TX Election Central, as Poll Workers,

Judges, and Alternate Judges. during the various elections held in

Texas.

According to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, every state and

local jurisdiction utilizes common-sense procedures and tools to

safeguard the voting process. Common best practices include using

locks, tamper-evident seals, security cameras, system testing before

and after elections, audits, and physical and cybersecurity access

controls (1.) These measures help to ensure that the voting process is

secure and that your vote is protected.

We certainly use these Common best practices here in Montgomery County

TX as any poll worker, Judge, or Alt. Judge can attest to.

It’s important to note that while there have been instances of

election fraud in the past, they are relatively rare. According to a

Pew Research Center survey, 45% of Americans say they are at least

somewhat confident that U.S. election systems are secure (2). While

this number may seem low, it’s important to remember that the vast

majority of elections are conducted without incident.

In conclusion, the security of voting and the polls are taken very

seriously, and there are many measures in place to ensure that your

vote is protected. While there have been instances of election fraud

in the past, they are relatively rare, and the vast majority of

elections are conducted without incident.

Democrats working with their Republican counterparts in local

elections is the backbone of a free society.

1: https://www.eac.gov/voters/election-security

2: https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2018/10/29/election-security/

Read More about Immigration - January's Bridge Issue

What Would You Do? DAN RATHER AND TEAM STEADY FEB 1, 2024

Houston is experiencing a serious lack of immigration lawyers, a trend seen nationwide Houston Landing by Anna-Catherine Brigida February 1, 2024

Five Biggest Border Lies Debunked Robert Reich

Texas Border Crisis: Rhetoric, Revolution, and Russia Lone Star Left by MICHELLE H. DAVIS

And Here is a Bit More

The Silent Revolution in American Economics Robert Reich

Trump's Chaos Agenda Robert Reich

Democratic Party Activities Around the County

psst: you're missing a lot of fun if you aren't joining us!!

Is Final Friday always Dull and Boring?? No Way!

On Final Friday night, January 26, 2024, twenty or so hearty Democrats gathered in our new streamlined office space to join twenty-five or more Democrats who zoomed in to hear from 10 of our Democratic Candidates who are on the upcoming Primary Ballot. And not only did 10 candidates join us, but there were two United States Presidential candidates who are running against Joe Biden, two candidates running for United States House of Representative seats, one candidate running for the U.S. Senate; two candidates running for other statewide positions, and four more local candidates present and making presentations! How often do you get that kind of attention from a Presidential Candidate? What a privilege!

A huge thank you goes out to the 10 candidates who took time out from their Friday evening to join us in Conroe, Montgomery County, Texas, for our Final Friday Program. Thank you to Gabriel Cornejo and Frankie Lozada Candidates for U.S. President; Laura Jones and Peter Filler, U.S. House of Representative Candidates; Heli Rodriguez Prilliman, Candidate for U.S. Senate; Bill Burch, Candidate for the Railroad Commissioner; Randy Sarosdy, Candidate for Texas Supreme Court Position 2; Holly Turner, Candidate for Presiding Judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals; and Ginger Blair and Natalie Ward, Candidates for Chair of the Montgomery County Democratic Party.

If you can’t identify all the folks in these pictures, you really missed out!  But you can join us next time.  

Special thanks to the Catering Committee who once again did a great job feeding us!

Volunteer Kick-Off Meeting

On January 27th, several new volunteers joined several seasoned volunteers to learn more about MCDPTX and how they can help. Led by Laurie McSpadden, Volunteer Coordinator, there was a lot of enthusiasm and interest in signing up for volunteer work!

Click here to fill out the volunteer form and join Team Tidal Wave!

On January 28th, members of our amazing Catering Committee provided scrumptious goodies for a team of young volunteers who collected and donated books to Children's Books on Wheels.  This was their service for the MLK Day of Service and they collected over 200 books that will be given away! Thanks to Diane and Bob Sullivan, Margie Kremer, Glenna and Jim Sloan, Betsy Burton, and Carol Ortiz for their baking skills and generosity. And for representing MCDPTX in our community so well!

Tweets!

Blue Texas Store

Visit headquarters or Facebook to shop and check out what's available. Thanks to Judy Trosvig for the creation of the Blue Texas Store and of many of the beautiful items available in it!

Democrats & Progressives of Montgomery County Area Meetup

Attend a Wednesday Evening Meetup - Dinner with Friends

Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024

6:00 PM to 8:00 PM CST

Cafe Express Woodlands

3091 College Park Dr Ste 290 · The Woodlands, TX

RSVP

OR Attend a Morning Coffee/Breakfast

Second Saturday of the month -

Saturday, Feb. 10, 2023, at 8:30 am

Start the new year right - with friends

The Whistle Stop Cafe

11133 Interstate 45 S · Conroe, TX

Hosted by Karen Cavanagh.

RSVP

Recurring meetings, and related events



MON FEB 5 - LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE, OR CHANGE ADDRESS ON REG.

TUE FEB 6 - MOCO COMMISSIONERS COURT, 9:30am, 501 N. Thompson 77301

MON FEB 12 to 16 - VILLAGE & RDRC ELECTION EARLY VOTING, 9:00am to 5:00pm, TWT

TUE FEB 13 - LS GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION BOARD, 6:00pm, 655 Conroe Park N

SAT FEB 17 - VILLAGE & RDRC ELECTIONS, 8:00am -6:oopm, 2801 Technology Forest Bl.

TUE FEB 20 - EARLY VOTING BEGINS

TUE FEB 20 - MOCO COMMISSIONERS COURT, 9:30am, 501 N. Thompson 77301

WED FEB 22 - WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP BOARD, 6:00pm, 2801 Technology Forest Bl. 77381

THU FEB 23 - LAST DAY TO APPLY FOR A BALLOT BY MAIL

FRI MAR 1 - LAST DAY OF EARLY VOTING

TUE MAR 5 - PRIMARY ELECTION DAY, 7:00am to 7:00pm

SAT MAR 23 - LWV: TOGETHER!, 1:00pm, SHSU The Woodlands Center