For this Primary only, the Indiana Election Commission has waived requirements for Absentee-By-Mail voting. Therefore all registered Indiana voters can vote by mail in the 2020 primary. All voters are encouraged to use this option as we don’t know what the situation will be over the next few weeks and months. This will protect not only the voters in the county, but our county workers as well.

  Click on the button to access a printable application to receive an absentee-by-mail ballot

Print out the form, fill it out and sign it. Then scan the form and return it by email to[email protected] or mail it to Voter Registration, 401 W 7th Street, Suite 100, Bloomington, IN 47404.
Note that the application to vote absentee-by-mail does require a valid signature but does not require the applicant to upload a voter id. 
After the office receives your application it will be verified and a ballot will be sent out by mail with a pre-printed, postage-paid envelope to return the ballot. Ballots must be received in the office by noon on June 2 (Primary Day) so don’t wait until the last minute to mail it back in case the mail is delayed. 
Questions may be directed to the voter registration office by calling 812-349-2690 but be aware that the office may not be open all the time.

If you are staying at home and are unable to print out an application form - email us at[email protected] with your name and address and we will work with the MCDP to get you an application asap.

Stay safe, learn something new every day, stay politically active and let’s get ready to come out of the lockdown with sleeves rolled up and ready to work for Dems up and down the ballot!

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: 

DWC ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPDATES:

Are you creative, skilled at writing, a social media expert?? - THE DWC NEEDS YOU!! We trust you like our communications and rely on them to help keep you informed of political happenings and DWC operations. Those communications are not magically self-generating-they are an essential function of the DWC and we have a small crew of creative women who make it happen. We are looking for women to join that team and help create the Monday Morning News and our Social Media messages. It is not time consuming, and it is not difficult. Plus, for those of us who like to write and craft messages, it is actually fun! If anyone reading this newsletter has a few scant hours a month to help us out, please let us know by sending an email to [email protected]

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ENDORSED CANDIDATE NEWS AND EVENTS:

Candidates, especially new candidates, often have a hard road to victory - but this year may be especially difficult - raising money, contacting voters and getting the message out is all going to be different in the age of coronavirus.
The list of DWC endorsed candidates with their websites and contact information can be found at: https://www.democraticwomenscaucus.org/candidates. We are continuing to work to make this page a comprehensive site for our candidates so please check back frequently.

Volunteer for Cheryl Munson: Who knew that County Council would be such a hot race this year? Cheryl is running for re-election to an At-Large seat in a crowded primary. If you would be interested in phonebanking for Cheryl or hosting a yard sign, please contact Olivia Reed at [email protected]. You can contact Cheryl at [email protected]. More info about Cheryl's Council accomplishments and future goals WWW.CHERYLMUNSON.US

Volunteering for Shelli Yoder: If you are interested in volunteering to help get Shelli to the State House, join their team by emailing Ashley Pirani at [email protected]. There are several ways for you to get involved. They'd love to have you join them!
Join the Friends of Shelli Virtual Challenge! They’ve created a special giving portal for you, your friends, families and networks at actblue.com/donate/shellichallenge. The amount is less important than the contribution itself, because it will take everyone chipping in to get Shelli to victory.

Note: The DWC’s mission is to recruit, fund and support pro-choice, progressive women candidates in Monroe County. For more information about candidates, candidate events and other political information that does not fall within this mission, check out, among others, the Monroe County Democratic Party Website, The Indiana Democratic Party Website and the Indiana Secretary of State's Election Division. If you don't currently get the Monroe County Democratic Party Dispatch, you can send a note to[email protected] to sign up.

UPDATED CAMPAIGN FINANCE AND PRIMARY INFORMATION:

ALL CANDIDATES PLEASE NOTE: UPDATED CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORT CALENDAR

Friday, May 8, 2020
End of pre-primary campaign finance reporting period (Report should cover Jan 1, 2020 - May 8, 2020).
Saturday, May 9,2020 - Sunday, May 31, 2020 
Primary Supplemental “Large Contribution” Reporting period - a CFA-11 must be filed within 48 hours of receiving a “large contribution”
Friday, May 15, 2020
DEADLINE, by noon, for filing pre-primary campaign finance reports for primary candidates.

UPDATED INDIANA PRIMARY CALENDAR - deadlines have been extended with the change in the Primary Date to 6/2/2020

Be aware that these dates are still subject to change. Because of the Coronavirus Pandemic we do not know what the final status of Absentee-in-person, Absentee-by-Travel Board and On-site Primary Voting will be. The Indiana Election Commission will meet again on April 22 and there may be more information at that time. The Monroe County Election Office is likely to remain closed until the governor’s stay in place order is lifted. 
For this Primary only, the Indiana Election Commission has waived requirements for Absentee-By-Mail voting. Therefore all registered Indiana voters can vote by mail in the primary. The deadline for the Election Office to receive your application is May 21, 2020 (see notes below).

Monday, May 4, 2020 - VOTER REGISTRATION ENDS

Tuesday, May 5, 2020 - First day a voter may vote an absentee ballot in the office of the circuit court clerk or satellite office.

Thursday, May 21, 2020 - DEADLINE, by 11:59 pm, for the circuit court clerk to receive an absentee ballot application from an applicant requesting delivery of an absentee ballot by mail. Applications may be submitted to the circuit court clerk in person or by mail, fax or email. (Note: mailed applications must be delivered in the mail by 5/21 and for in person delivery the Election Office closes at 4PM)

Monday, June 1, 2020 - DEADLINE by noon, for a voter to vote an absentee ballot in person at the office of the circuit court clerk or satellite office

Tuesday, June 2, 2020 - PRIMARY ELECTION DAY
Polls are open 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., prevailing local time.
DEADLINE by noon, for a voter to return an absentee-by-mail ballot to Election Central

The Monroe County Election Division is looking for democratic poll workers to work as Inspectors, Judges and Clerks. 
To work the polls in Monroe County, you must:
• Be a registered voter of Monroe County.
• Attend training,  provided by the Election Board.
• Have access to transportation.
You will be paid for training, working at the polls and a $25 food allowance. 
Interested: call  812-349-2690 or Email: [email protected]
More information can be found at: http://monroecountyvoters.us/pollworkerportal.html

UPCOMING NATIONAL CAUCUSES & PRIMARIES: (note: this is an ever changing list)

April 4: Hawaii Democratic primaries (mail only) and Wyoming Democratic caucuses. (mail only)
Alaska primary cancelled (vote-by-mail extended to April 10)
The Louisiana Primary has been postponed to June 20
April 7: Wisconsin primary (suit was filed to move to June 2, but denied)
April 26: Puerto Rico Democratic primary - postponed, new date not determined
April 28: Ohio Primaries; 
Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania & Rhode Island Primaries 
postponed to June 2, 
May 2: Guam Democratic caucuses and Kansas Democratic primary
May 5: Indiana primary postponed until June 2
May 12: Nebraska primary; California Special Election (primarily by mail)
May 19: Georgia and Oregon primaries, Kentucky postponed to June 23
June 2: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Indiana, Maryland, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island & South Dakota
June 6: Virgin Island Democratic caucus
June 9: West Virginia Primary, Nevada Primary but will be primarily by mail
June 20: Louisiana primaries
June 23: New York & Kentucky primaries
July 14: Alabama Primary runoff, Texas Primary runoff elections

The Indiana Democratic Convention is slated for Saturday, June 13 in Indianapolis
The National Democratic Convention has been moved to August 17-20 in Milwaukee. 

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CANDIDATE & OTHER POLITICAL TRAININGS:

Indiana Democratic Party

A Candidate Tool Box, Precinct Committee Person Handbook, VAN training and links to the Party’s Webinar Training Series can be found at https://www.indems.org/trainings-and-voter-file-access/

Emily’s List Trainings

Tuesday, April 7, 2020 - "Texting Tactics"
4:00 p.m. — 5:00 p.m. EST
How to set up and strategize your peer to peer texting program — an important digital tool for successful voter contact

Wednesday, April 22, 2020 - "Digital Fundraising Fundamentals"
3:00 p.m. — 4:00 p.m. EST
Key digital fundraising tips to grow your grassroots donor base

Campaigns & Elections Trainings:

Tuesday, April 7, 2020 - 11:00 AM (EDT) - “A Changing Workplace: How Consulting Firms Need to Adapt for the COVID-19 Era”
Speakers: Michelle Coyle, Francesca Dulce Larson & Aaron Evans
The majority of firms in the political campaign industry are small businesses, and for those firms these are both trying and uncertain times. Get advice from firm founders on everything from staffing to budgeting to dealing with clients amid all of the uncertainty.

Ready To Run: Campaign Training For Women

Tuesday, April 7, 2020, 1:00pm - “Campaigning During Covid 19: Part 1”
Where Do I Even Begin? Advice for Your Campaign Strategy in this Moment
Join this live session and ask your questions about how to run for office during these uncertain times. Campaign expert Eva Pusateri will discuss the immediate and pressing challenges, along with initial practical advice, about the current situation facing candidates running this year, including dealing with a lack of clarity about election processes and connecting to voters in a time of social distancing. We’ll then open up the session to address your individual questions and circumstances. 

Tuesday, April 14, 2020, 1:00pm - “Campaigning During Covid 19: Part 1”
registration will open after Part 1 on April 7
Next Steps: Moving Forward with a Structured Campaign Plan. In Part 2, Pusateri will provide a focused overview of key elements of your newly restructured campaign plan, including practical tips for voter contact, message development, and working with a campaign team virtually. She’ll address how to start assessing and restructuring your campaign to reflect the new reality we are living in, how to build a voter contact operation along social distancing guidelines, and more.

National Democratic Training Committee Webinars
The NDTC has and extensive list of webinars and courses in political management, messaging and communication, fundraising, and running for office. Check out their list of courses at https://traindemocrats.org/course-catalog/

Indivisible Trainings

Monday, April 6, 2020, 8:00pm or Wednesday, April 8, 2020, 3:00pm - “Using Social Media to Build Community and Take Action”
Indivisible groups have spent years working to turn online activism into offline action, but the script is flipped in this new physical distancing reality. Learn, from social media experts, how to transfer in-person community spaces to online and virtual mediums. Share strategies that can help your group take advantage of existing social media platforms to keep momentum going in your community.

Monday, April 13, 2020, 8:00pm or Wednesday, April 15, 2020, 3:00pm - “How to Facilitate Online Spaces that Work”
Not all online meetings are created equal. Learn best practices on how to create and facilitate online meeting spaces that are inclusive, effective and motivating. They will cover both technological best practices (such as  Zoom and Google Suites how-tos), along with facilitation best practices. 

Monday, April 20, 2020, 8:00pm or Wednesday, April 22, 2020, 3:00pm - “Structural Inequalities that led to COVID-19”
The COVID-19 outbreak affects everyone regardless of race, gender, immigration status, disability, or any other identity. And yet the response to this outbreak has not been equitable or comprehensive. Explore the historical context that set the stage for today’s COVID-19 reality and learn what we can all do to build a new future coming out of this crisis.

Thursday, April 23, 2020, 8:00pm - “Red and Rural Webinar Series Part 1”
The Red and Rural Webinar will focus on folks who live and work in rural communities all over the US. This will be a space to share insights experiences living and organizing in rural areas and lessons learned fighting for communities. 

Monday, April 27, 2020, 8:00pm or Wednesday, April 29, 2020, 3:00pm - “Deep Canvassing While Social Distancing“
We know that issue-based organizing is how we build local power, but how do we do that while social distancing? This training will take a deep dive into how to have meaningful conversations with folks without knocking doors. Explore how to apply organizing basics to this ever-changing landscape. 

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OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS:

MONROE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY EVENTS AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: 
contact the Monroe County Democratic Party at [email protected]

The Shalom Center needs volunteers for the following shifts on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The primary duties include helping in the kitchen, hospitality, and sorting and distributing mail and supplies. The shifts are: 

2 volunteers, kitchen (breakfast): 7:30am-9:30am
2 volunteers, kitchen (prepare lunch): 9:30am-11:30am
4 volunteers, kitchen (lunch): 11:30am-2:00pm
4 volunteers, hospitality, distribute mail/supplies: 12pm-2pm

Please contact [email protected] if you are able to volunteer for these shifts.

Some Useful Websites in the fight against Covid-19

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Covid-19 Resources for Bloomington, Ellettsville & Monroe County

No Space For Hate Covid-19 Mutual Aid
Are you homebound and in need of help getting access to groceries and other supplies? For your friends and neighbors who are homebound and quarantined, are you willing to help make grocery deliveries and supply runs?

NextDoor.com for your neighborhood

Open for Bloomington - support for local restaurants (note site may take some time to load)

Unemployment Information:
Indiana Department of Workforce Development

IBJ Podcast: What you need to know about unemployment now

The Indiana Democratic Party wants to hear from you! The IDP is seeking your input on their 2020 State Democratic Platform and has already held three hearings around the state to learn what issues are important to Democratic voters. There is one remaining Platform Hearing, on March 14 in Fort Wayne, and it is free and open to the public.
If you are unable to attend but would still like to participate, you can submit an online input form here. If you'd like to review the 2018 State Party Platform, click here. The open comment period will close on April 3, 2020 and a final draft of the Platform will be presented to delegates for approval at the 2020 State Convention on June 13th.

BOARD AND COMMISSION OPENINGS: A great way to get involved and learn about how government works in Monroe County and Bloomington and to make a difference in your community:

CITY OF BLOOMINGTON B&Cs
For information City Commissions that have vacancies at this time, contact the office of the City Clerk or check https://bloomington.in.gov/boards to see the nature of the board or commission, recent minutes and actions, and how that particular vacancy is filled.

MONROE COUNTY GOVERNMENTAL B&Cs
The Monroe County Board of Commissioners invites you to apply to serve on a Board or Commission! There are immediate openings on a number of these bodies, including: Animal Management, Environmental Commission, and the Human Rights Commission. For information on each of them, see https://www.co.monroe.in.us/boards/. The application is available in a tab at the right side of the boards page. If you have any questions, please contact Julie Thomas ([email protected]). 

CALENDAR OF EVENTS THAT MIGHT BE OF INTEREST TO OUR MEMBERSHIP:

In this time of uncertainty, check prior to leaving for any meeting...

Through December 31, 2020
VOTES FOR WOMEN: The Women’s Suffrage Movement in Monroe County
Monroe County History Center, 202 E. 6th St., Bloomington
Commemorating the centennial of the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution granting women the right to vote with a year-long exhibition in the Deckard Education Room. Featuring Monroe County women involved in the struggle for suffrage in the context of the State and National suffrage movements based on the research of Hilary Fleck and supported by the May Wright Sewall Fellowship from Indiana Humanities. Sponsored by The Indiana Women’s Suffrage Centennial, the Monroe County Bicentennial, the City of  Bloomington, and Monroe County NOW

Thursday, April 16, 2020
Monroe County NOW Film Screening and Virtual Chapter Meeting
Zoom
Join Monroe County NOW and special guests for a virtual chapter meeting on Thursday, April 16. There will be a film screening and fundraiser for All-Options' Hoosier Abortion Fund campaign. 
The short documentary film Ours to Tell will be shown followed by a panel discussion via Zoom. You can view the trailer for the film at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLK9e7LCSDE.
They will also host a fundraiser for All-Options' Hoosier Abortion Fund which raises money to provide low income women with funding for abortion access and care. You can donate at https://fund.nnaf.org/team/292069. Even if you cannot attend the event, please consider donating!
This is a free but ticketed event. Register via Eventbrite. Once you registered, you will be emailed the Zoom information to access the event. If you experience any issues, email [email protected].

ACTION ITEM(s): 

1. Download your 2020 application to vote by mail and send it in. It's very important that all of us vote. Support our endorsed candidates as they negotiate an unprecedented primary session.

2. Watch for ways that you can support community members in need of assistance during the pandemic, even while keeping your self safe....

3. Thank a first responder, medical practitioner, vaccine creator, news person, store clerk, garbage collector, janitor, school teacher, parent homeschooling their children, worker working from home, social worker, food preparer, and everyone else.... for their service.

4: April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Support people who you know who are survivors (stay in place and quarantine has increased the incidence of domestic violence) and let's continue to work towards a world that is free from sexual violence. #SAAM

5. If you haven't already, fill out your census form online! Encourage and help your friends and neighbors to do so as well. An accurate count is essential for the future of our community and getting it done now will keep census volunteers from having to go door to door and will help keep them safe.

6. Renew your membership in the DWC for 2020 (see below) and get involved with the DWC - there are ways you can contribute beyond your membership support...Our most urgent need is for help with our Social Media: we are looking for women to help us maintain and keep our social media pages up to date and to contribute to writing and/or editing the Monday Morning News. A couple of our long time writers will be unavailable after this spring. This doesn’t necessarily require a major time commitment. If you’re interested please email us at [email protected]

HOW TO CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES

Todd Young:
https://www.young.senate.gov/contact/email-todd
(202) 224-5623

Mike Braun
https://www.braun.senate.gov/contact-mike
(202) 224-4814
(317) 822-8240

Trey Hollingsworth
https://hollingsworth.house.gov/contact/
(202) 225-5315 (U.S. House) or (812) 288-3999 (Jeffersonville Office)

BECOME A DWC MEMBER or RENEW your membership! 
The DWC is dedicated to inspiring, recruiting, training, supporting and funding women to increase the number of progressive, pro-choice women in the political arena. We ALL help with this mission, together, collectively. Make sure you have full rights and privileges of membership.
Only $20 for one year’s membership. 
Join online here: https://democraticwomenscaucus.nationbuilder.com/membership

Do you have news items? Send your items of interest to us at [email protected]
Deadline for MMN is noon on Sunday.

Paid for by DWPAC - Democratic Women's Political Action Committee
Democratic Women's Caucus
http://www.democraticwomenscaucus.org/