| |
THE VOICE
Volume 28 . Issue 10 . October 2026
| | |
SUSAN DOLLAR
President
In only 30 days, we will be watching the results of the mid-term elections, hoping and praying for change. Big, beautiful change!
Democrats enter this final month in a strong position, heavily favored to retake control of the House of Representatives and increasingly competitive in the battle for the Senate. Forecasters and election models, including the Cook Political Report and prediction data from the New York Intelligencer, give Democrats roughly a 92% chance of winning a House majority, needing a net gain of just three seats. Recently, dozens of competitive and traditionally red districts have shifted toward Democrats, as public dissatisfaction focuses on the president and the Republican Party.
In these 'almost' fall afternoons, I sit in my office and look out the floor-to-ceiling windows and admire the changing of the seasons. There are lots of migrating birds. The monarchs are passing through. We've gotten some good rain. It's slightly cooler. And it gets dark earlier now, so the seasons are changing ever so slowly.
These afternoons lead me to think about change in general. Any change can bring opportunities for new strategies, new perspectives, and new leadership. Change can be good because it stimulates new ideas and new goals and can pave the way for a better future. Change can also be somewhat disruptive. There can be an increase the level of anxiety and uncertainty. Any change requires adjustment and adaptation. Politically, we are all ready for some good changes! And we've all worked hard to make those changes happen!
But there will also be some changes within the Boerne Area Democrats. Many of you know that I have been in the president's position from 2017-2020 (after four years, that's when I proposed changing the bylaws to include three-year term limits per office), and again from 2022-24, and again this year, 2026. It has been a great ride but it's time for a change.
At our October BAD meeting, the paid membership will be presented with a proposed slate of new officers. After the 30-day review period, the slate, including any additions or write-ins, will be voted on at our November meeting. New officers will begin their duties in January 2027.
It will be a new year! And we'll have new leadership in our country and in our club! There's so much to look forward to. We just need to persevere through the next 30 days, keep our fingers crossed for a smooth transition of power in the House and the Senate, and then throw our full support behind our new leaders, so here's to changes for a better future for all of us!
| |
OCTOBER 8 BAD MEETING
11:30 a.m. Longhorn Cafe (upstairs)
BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER:
EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW
ABOUT THE MID-TERM ELECTION PROCESS
Our guest speaker will be Kendall County Elections Administrator, Staci Decker. Come learn all about how elections are managed.
Bring your questions and concerns!
| | |
AN IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT OUR MEETING LOCATION
Most of you know that we have a very hard time finding a meeting location that is large enough (and willing) to accommodate us. We've been meeting at the Longhorn Cafe on-and-off for several years. They have new management that has expressed concerns about two things. First of all, when we have large attendance at our meetings, we tend to fill up the parking spaces and other customers can't find parking. Secondly, they feel that they may be losing business because of the parking issue and because there are not sufficient food sales from our group. So...for us to keep the management happy and to be able to continue to meet at the Longhorn, please: 1) carpool if at all possible or park in the grass on the east side of the cafe, and 2) order a meal to eat before or during our meeting (get there early!). Thank you!
| | | |
NOVEMBER BAD MEETING
Our next meeting will be on
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2026
11:30 a.m. at the Longhorn Cafe (upstairs)
| |
POWERED BY PEOPLE
Beto is traveling throughout Texas to visit every major college campus before Election Day on November 3rd. His goal? To reach, register, and turn out as many new Democratic voters as possible alongside our dedicated team of volunteers.
Here's why this matters:
- Texas has the second-youngest median age of any state.
- There were roughly 1.3 million Texans ages 18 to 24 registered to vote in 2020.
- Powered by People does the work that works. In 2024, 79% of voters in our network cast their ballots, compared to the 39% average statewide.
But staying on the road takes serious resources. If we’re going to keep up the fight through Election Day, he needs help putting gas in the tank (literally) so we can make sure these campus visits are a success.
Watch a video of the action here (and donate, if you can!):
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/pbp-em-20260922?akid=241080.72124.9ixQep&c0=pbp-em-20260922.8pVeIi&rd=1&refcode=ema20260922-241080&refcode2=241080_72124_9ixQep&t=3e
| |
INSPIRATIONAL SONG OF THE MONTH! | | |
REVOLUTION
by The Beatles
You say you want a revolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
You tell me that it's evolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
But when you talk about destruction
Don't you know that you can count me out
Don't you know it's going to be alright
Alright, alright
You say you want a real solution
Well, you know
We'd all love to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution
Well, you know
We're doing what we can
But if you want money for people with minds that hate
All I can tell you is brother you have to wait
Don't you know it's going to be alright
Alright, alright
You say you'll change the Constitution
Well, you know
We all want to change your head
You tell me it's the institution
Well, you know
You better free your mind instead
But if you carrying pictures of Chairman Mao
You ain't going to make it with me anyhow
Don't you know it's going to be alright
Alright, alright
Alright, alright...
Listen here: https://youtu.be/BGLGzRXY5Bw
| |
|
October 5 - Last Day to Register to Vote!
The Kendall County League of Women Voters will have voter registrars available all day on Monday, October 5, to register residents of Kendall County. Drive-up registration will be available from 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. in the parking lot of the Kendall County Elections Office, 221 Fawn Valley Drive. Early voting runs from Monday, October 19-Friday, October 30.
| |
TEXAS TRIBUNE
Here's your 2026 Texas ballot for the November election:
https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-general-election-ballot-november-2026/
| | |
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
Looking for interactive, personalized election info on the go? On October 6th, check out Vote411.org, a one-stop digital hub for nonpartisan voting information. Simply enter your address to build your custom ballot, compare candidate profiles side by side, verify your registration status, and find polling locations. More info here:
https://www.lwvtexas.org/#gsc.tab=0
| |
THE PARENTS ARE MAGA. THE KIDS ARE LIBERAL.
CAN YOUTUBE HELP?
“The Necessary Conversation,” a podcast and YouTube show, is a very public example of the political disputes families are having all across the country. Read the artcile here:
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/20/headway/the-necessary-conversation-political-argument-podcast.html?unlocked_article_code=1.FlE.WH_f.qeDfy4CEEmD1&smid=url-share
| | | HEADS UP!
Fall at the Center for Refugee Services means that it is time their annual warm clothing and blanket drive! Every year they provide their client families with coats, sweaters and other items before the weather turns cold. The client families are large, many with six or more children so keeping everyone adequately clothed for the cold season is a big expense.
If you would like to help, please bring coats (of all sizes, kids through grown-ups) and/or blankets to the October 8 BAD meeting.
| | |
AN UPDATE FROM FROM CRS:
FIVE YEARS LATER: FROM EVAUATION TO A NEW LIFE IN SAN ANTONIO
On a hot August day five years ago, the Taliban took control of Afghanistan after the withdrawal of US forces. Over the next several months, thousands of Afghans who fled the country in fear for their lives would be resettled in San Antonio. The Center for Refugee Services, for the first time in its history, had a line out the door of people looking for help. Amidst the need and the chaos, CRS never turned anyone away who needed help.
Religious and civic organizations in San Antonio partnered with us to distribute hygiene kits, towels and bed linens. At the staging site for in-kind donations, pillows were stacked to the ceiling, waiting to be distributed to refugee families.
The past five years have been a difficult period of adjustment for the families we assisted in those days. They are raising large families on low incomes. Families with six children live in three-bedroom apartments. People found that their skills and experience from Afghanistan did not translate into similar careers in the US. Many people are still waiting for green cards.
Despite these struggles, there are bright spots for our clients who arrived after the fall of Afghanistan. This summer, we awarded a scholarship to a young woman whose family arrived in September 2021. She had the highest grades in her math class senior year and is now starting college. Her goal is to study gastroenterology. Some clients have started businesses such as trucking companies and restaurants. A few clients have even purchased homes.
The fall of Afghanistan changed the lives of thousands of our clients. It also changed our agency as we adapted to this sudden influx of many new and very needy people. Prior to August 2021, CRS served about 900 clients per year. Now, we have over 6,000 active clients in our database. We moved to a larger office and expanded the number of paid staff. We were able to grow to fill this new need thanks to our donors and supporters like you! As always, thank you for your support.
| | |
BOERNE MARKET DAYS
October 10-11
Come by our Democratic booth this weekend and visit with us!
Many thanks to all the volunteers that braved the heat during the September Market Days! Kudos to Rachel and Jim Kilgore, Liza and Tracy Holmes, Robin Prescott, Cindy Fitzpatrick, Shawn Bonner, Marilyn Tremper, Martha Barker, Marilyn Harrington, Richard Caldwell, Richard Dopierala and Janet Wright, Brenda Schmidt, and Troy Gideon!
We had 83 people stop by and actually talk with us and
34 of them signed up for our mailing list!
| |
| |
BAD BOOK CLUB
The BAD Book Club will meet on Wednesday, October 14, at 5:30 p.m., at the Democratic office. The book selection is Who is Government? by Michael Lewis.
For more information, contact Lynn at bellowmom@yahoo.com
| | | |
THIRSTY THURSDAY
Thursday, October 22
5:00 p.m.
Paid BAD members will receive an email with more information and an RSVP link.
| | | | | |
A SINCERE THANK YOU TO THE BOERNE AREA DEMOCRATS, THE KENDALL COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY, AND THE COMFORT AREA DEMOCRATS, INDEPENDENTS & OTHERS!
Several hundrd pounds of food were donated to local food banks in support of the Team Talarico Love Thy Neighbor Grocery Drive.
| |
Lots of good food and fun at
Saturday Night Supper Club on September 26!
| | |
We had a full house at our September 10 BAD meeting. Guest speakers were Katie Padilla Stout, candidate for U.S. House Texas District 23, and Tom Luck, candidate for TX House District 21. | | | |
NEWS FROM
CIBOLO CREEK INDIVISIBLE (CCI)
| | |
ELECTION PROTECTION PROGRAM
Sign the pledge to protect the 2026 elections! Our democracy depends on every voter having an equal chance to cast a ballot and have their vote fairly counted. That’s why Indivisible is launching the Election Protection Program.
The Program is a grassroots network of volunteers and organizations located in Alaska, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, and Texas dedicated to protecting the right to vote before, during, and after the 2026 election.
By signing up now, you’ll receive strategic updates via email and text, training opportunities, and critical calls to action during key election protection moments in your state. Please find the link below:
https://indivisible.org/campaigns/battlegrounds-2026-texas/
CCITX MONTHLY MEETING
Wednesday, October 14
6:00 p.m.
Speaker is Reverend Paul Raushenbush, President and CEO of Interfaith Alliance in Washington DC. He will join us virtually to discuss his organization’s advocacy and pro-democracy work and the upcoming bus tour "The Vote Is Sacred 2026." Paul is an ordained American Baptist minister, a longtime interfaith leader, and a renowned advocate for civil rights and religious freedom. Contact ccitx2025@gmail to receive location.
CCITX DEMOCRACY VOTES!!
Saturday, October 17
11am-2pm
Amphitheatre at the Boerne Library
We’ll celebrate our sacred right to vote. We will verify registration for voters, share early voting information, poll locations, and day of election information for both Kendall and Bexar County. There will be food trucks, family activities, music, and a walk-through town with signs encouraging early voting to get everyone fired up! Plan to join us for this fun, impactful community day!! RSVP here: https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/1032260/?referring_vol=12251804&rname=Georgia&share_context=event_details&share_medium=facebook
| |
NEWS FROM THE
COMFORT AREA DEMOCRATS, INDEPENDENTS & OTHERS (CADIO)
| |
|
The next CADIO meeting will be on Tuesday, October 13,at noon at the Comfort Library. This will be the last time we gather before the Election! Kathy Turner, president of the Kerr County Democratic Women, will be our guest speaker.
Cheryl Wilson has joined in an effort called Postcards to Swing States to help send postcards to voters throughout Texas. The program sends the postcards and the address labels, then you write a message on the postcard, add a stamp and mail them. More postcards will soon be available in the Dem office.
CADIO members continue to fight the good fight by participating in area protests! They would love to have you join them if you are free at 11:30 a.m. on any given Saturday morning between now
and Nov. 3. If you want to join them, contact
Jane at jbincomfort@yahoo.com.
| | | |
A huge thank you to CADIO and the Comfort News for their weekly ads!
| | |
NEWS FROM THE
KENDALL COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY
| | |
From KCDP Chair, Suanne Pyle:
-
Last day to register to vote – Monday, October 5, The Kendall County League of Women Voters will have voter registrars available all day on Monday, October 5 to register residents of Kendall County. Drive-up registration will be available from 7:00 am - 6:00 pm at the parking lot of the Kendall County Elections Office at 221 Fawn Valley Drive. For more information contact Peg Layton at Layton.peg@gmail.com
-
Join us as we label and stamp postcards for Kendall County voters, and stuff bags with information to hand out to canvassers (block walkers). Bring your own drink, snacks will be provided. Tuesday, October 6, 1:00-3:00 p.m. Sign up here: https://www.mobilize.us/kendalltxdems/event/1012166/
-
Sign up for a shift at the tent we have at Early Voting. We are there all the times Early voting is happening. That is 63 two hour shifts. So far we have 22 shifts covered. Please consider signing up for a shift or two. https://www.mobilize.us/kendalltxdems/event/1037094/
-
Young Democrats of Kendall County - open to everyone age 18-40 in Kendall County, For more information, contact gkcyoungdems@gmail.com.
-
There are still plenty of candidate yard signs available at the Dem office. Office hours have been extended, thanks to volunteers. In addition to being open daily from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., afternoon hours from 2:00-4:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and evening hours on Wednesday from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. have been added.
| | |
BOERNE AREA DEMOCRATS BOARD
President: Susan Dollar
Vice President: Rachel Kilgore
Secretary: Shawn Bonner
Treasurer: Melinda Huff
Membership: Robin Prescott
Publicity: Kelly Skovbjerg
Webmaster: Andy Wine
At Large: Martha Barker
At Large: Lynn Bellow
At Large: Richard Caldwell
Ex Officio member: Suanne Pyle, KCDP Chair
| | |
Connect with us!
JOIN THE BOERNE AREA DEMOCRATS
Membership Form
Email: BAD@boerne-area-democrats.com
Web: boerne-area-democrats.com
Facebook: facebook.com/boerne.area.democrats
Notice Regarding Photography and/or Audio/Video Recording
The Boerne Area Democrats captures photographs and/or audio/video recordings during our events.
Such photographs and recordings may be used in BAD's advertising and social media relations to let others know of our events. In addition, local news organizations may hear of our events, and BAD may allow them to record events for news reporting. If you do not wish to be in photos/videos,
please let the photographer/videographer know in advance.
This newsletter is intended for people interested in the work of the Boerne Area Democrats and the Democratic Party in general. To be removed from this mailing list, please click on Unsubscribe below
or email us at bad@boerne-area-democrats.com.
| | | | |
