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For 2020 election results, click here to access the Polk County Board of Elections results page.
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We held our Virtual Fall Rally on Sunday, September 28. It featured multiple candidates, lots of fun videos submitted by Polk Democrats, and a little music. Andy edited everything into 9 separate videos, which are shared below. Enjoy them!
 The Polk Dems Virtual Fall Rally will take place this Sunday, September 27 at 4:00pm, and it's gonna be a blast!
We'll be showing video messages from at least 9 candidates, including Governor Roy Cooper, Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, and Agriculture Commissioner candidate Jenna Wadsworth, as well as our local and regional Democratic candidates. We'll also have brief messages from about 20 of our local Dems and their pets, a Pledge of Allegiance featuring Dems from all over the county—plus maybe a surprise or two along the way. How To Participate in the Virtual Fall Rally: This will be a big, fun Zoom meeting. It's easy to join. Email Pat Salomon for a link that you can use to join the meeting. At 4:00pm on Sunday, go to the link. As the host, I will admit participants one at a time, so be a little patient. You will NOT need a password to attend the meeting. Feel free to share the meeting info with your friends—as long as they're Democrats. The more the merrier! If you've never participated in a Zoom meeting, you might want to watch this video to learn how.
How fortunate we were to have the gentle, powerful force of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg among us for so long. She was a tiny giant, a naturally shy woman with a voice that roared truths that will echo across the generations. Now it's up to us. Now, more than ever, we must work and fight and strive to be worthy of her towering example.
Update regarding absentee voting in Polk County, NC: The Polk County Board of Elections has announced that it will NOT be able to send staff members outside to pick up absentee ballots from voters who do not want to enter the Womack Building. This video gives you two alternative ways to deliver your ballot.
ALSO: To check the status of your absentee ballot, go to NorthCarolina.BallotTrax.net. Q 1: Where are the signs for Democrats?
We have stocked up on signs in the headquarters building. NC law forbids posting political signs along public roads until September 15 this year. You have no doubt noticed that not everyone abides by this restriction, but we do. Q 2: How can I get signs and stickers? Please do not put out any signs on public roads until September 15. We have lots of signs for some candidates (with more on the way), and a limited number for some others. Because we have to purchase the signs for Biden, Cooper, and Cunningham, we are asking for a donation of $10 per sign to offset our costs. Bumper stickers are coming as well. The HQ building will be open from 10am to 2pm Tuesdays through Saturdays beginning Tuesday, September 8. Q 3: Is the headquarters building open? The HQ building in Columbus is now open for four hours on Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 10:00am to 2:00pm through Election Day. If you're interested in taking on a shift, email Pat Salomon. Q 4: Can I vote as soon as I receive my absentee ballot? Absolutely. As soon as you get your absentee ballot, you can fill it out and return it to the Polk County Board of Elections, either by mail or in person. We have a brand-new video on how to fill out and return your absentee ballot. Scroll down to see the video, and share it with your friends. We recommend that you return your completed ballot to the Board of Elections office as early as possible. That way, if there's any issue with your ballot or the return envelope, it will give the elections staff time to contact you so you can correct it. If you haven't requested an absentee ballot but would still like to, there is a new online portal for you to make your request. Click here to do it now. DO NOT WAIT. Q 5: Which method of voting do you recommend? All three voting methods—absentee, early in-person, and on Election Day—are equally valid. However, we do recommend that you vote as early as you can. Most of your executive committee members are voting absentee because it's the earliest way get your ballot into the system—as long as you do it early enough. (If you're unsure about the security of voting absentee, check out this video.) Early voting is another good option. It starts on October 15. In our opinion, voting on Election Day should be your last option, because last minute snafus might possibly cause problems that would make it difficult for you to cast your ballot. If you can vote early, do it. If you need any assistance — or know anyone who does — email Andy or call him at 828-817-2999. We are here to help.
For North Carolina voters only: All this talk about problems with the Postal Service may have you worried that your absentee ballot will get lost or delayed. Here's how to vote by mail without having to rely on the mail.
Polk County Democratic Party Chair Andy Millard had a Zoom conversation with Director of Elections Cliff Marr. Cliff agreed to let Andy make it into a video This info applies to all Polk voters regardless of your political leanings.
How and Why to Request an Absentee Ballot This Year
The Polk County Democratic Party is recommending that all voters vote absentee this year. This video will walk you through it. The video is broken down into chapters:
1 - Introduction 2 (2:02) - How to obtain a request form 3 (3:18) - How to fill out the form 4 (7:34) - How to return the form to the Board of Elections 5 (8:49) - A request, and why this is important 6 (10:02) Conclusion  by Andy Millard
A longtime Polk Dem just called me with the news that his neighbor, a lifelong Republican, had finally gotten fed up and switched over to our side. And he was pleasantly surprised at the warm welcome he had received from Democrats. People all over America are suddenly going through this same process. It’s been a long time coming, and it's got a name: Trump Fatigue. One of our jobs as Democrats is to turn opponents into supporters. But that's an impossible task. Each person must have their own change of heart. Their mind—and their vote—will surely follow. That's where Trump Fatigue comes in. The sheer volume of self-serving, law-breaking, nausea-inducing behavior coming out of the White House over the last three-and-a-half years has opened the eyes of many GOP voters. At the same time, a continual stream of videos showing Black citizens suffering abuse at the hands of law enforcement has exposed a brutal truth that can no longer be ignored. Slowly, imperceptibly, people of goodwill tire of the shenanigans. Then comes the last straw—one more heartbreaking video or sad MAGA rally—and it tips the scale. Suddenly the viewer sees things in a whole new light. What looks like a snap decision is just the inevitable end of a long road. Hearts and minds are changing in our favor every day, and we need to greet converts with open arms. I always say there are more of us than you think; that’s getting more true every day. |
