For the first time ever the DWC held it’s monthly meeting on Zoom and Facebook Live on May 1. Many thanks especially to Michelle Bright, Kaisa Goodman and Olivia Reed for working out the details and getting the meeting set up and running. We had visitors from both inside and outside of Monroe County and our Facebook Live video has had over 450 views to date. It was great to have the chance to see friends and hear from candidates, even if it was from a distance. You can see the video on our Facebook page.
The most obvious takeaway was that our elected officials, from State Senator Karen Tallian who checked in to update us on the status of her efforts to be the next Indiana Attorney General, to Monroe County Coroner Joani Shields, whose job might not be as much in the public eye but is critical to the health of our residents, are working hard to deal with the fall out from this pandemic and its consequences. Many of our endorsed candidates, even those with contested primary races, are devoting their days to ensuring that they do what they can to keep us safe and are putting less focus on campaigning. If we learn nothing else from this pandemic, it should be that caring, competent, and citizen-focused government matters.
This is a completely novel and unusual year in campaigning for candidates, even without the added stresses of their jobs and taking care of families at home…. The techniques that work best to reach out to voters… forums, meetings, house parties and individual canvassing no longer work in an age of social distancing. The ability to get their message out voters has become more difficult, more time consuming and much more expensive.
The DWC is helping by providing information about our endorsed candidates on our website, by researching trainings and other opportunities on how candidates can get their message out to voters in a virtual manner and we have a mailing ready to go out to help promote our endorsed candidates (see above). We also encourage our membership and those who support our work to be even more active than usual in engaging with our candidates online and sharing candidate’s messages with their friends.
And this applies to the DWC as well - the events we usually count on to help raise money to support pro-choice, progressive, democratic women candidates both financially and through mailings and point of sale promotions as well as to provide training and keep our website and newsletters up and running have also disappeared. If you are not yet a member for 2020 and/or you have the ability to drop a few dollars into our virtual “Charlotte’s Hat” please go to our membership/donation page and help keep our important work going.

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.

See our UPDATED CAMPAIGN FINANCE AND PRIMARY INFORMATION section below for details on primary voting in Monroe County and look for an email from us later this week devoted to voting in the primary.

A reminder that Absentee-by-Mail Ballot applications are due by May 21 and all ballots must be returned to the Monroe County Election Division office by noon on June 2.
Check monroecountyvoters.us for information and questions may also be directed to the voter registration office by calling 812-349-2690.

As always 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: 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

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.

Volunteer for Kara Krothe
If you are interested in volunteering to help elect Kara Krothe for Judge please contact us at [email protected] or visit karakrotheforjudge.com to sign up.

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

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 Secretary of State's office has created a completely online version of the application for an absentee-by mail ballot through the voter portal at indianavoters.com. You will not need to print out and sign the application if you use this version, it will use your signature on file. You can also download a copy of the form here, print and sign it and email it to [email protected] or mail it to Voter Registration, 401 W. 7th St., Suite 100, Bloomington, IN 40404. The deadline for the Election Office to receive your application is May 21, 2020 (see notes below).

All voters are strongly encouraged to vote absentee-by-mail in this election, leaving absentee-in-person and primary day election voting for those persons who cannot do so!!!

Monday, May 4, 2020 - VOTER REGISTRATION ENDS

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) 

Tuesday, May 26, 2020 - First day a voter may vote an absentee-in-person ballot in the office at Election Central (Early Voting opens)

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 (Early Voting ends)

Tuesday, June 2, 2020 - PRIMARY ELECTION DAY
Polls are open 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., prevailing local time. Due to the need to keep workers and voters safe, as well as balancing the reduced number of workers available, a need to provide as much coverage of the county as possible and the wish to be sensitive to the needs of the regular hosts, there will be 7 polls open on Primary Election Day: at Edgewood High School, Southside Christian Church, Sherwood Oaks, Grandview Elementary, Arlington Elementary, City Hall and City Church. If you must vote on primary day you will be able to check where your precinct will be voting on June 2 online at indianavoters.com.
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)

The Louisiana Primary has been postponed to June 20
Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania & Rhode Island Primaries 
postponed to June 2, 
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 - this will be a virtual meeting
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/

The Emily's List Training Center:
Training pro-choice Democratic women to run for office - and win
https://trainingcenter.emilyslist.org

Date: Thursday, May 7, 2020 - "Digital Advertising"
Time: 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
How to use digital advertising to boost awareness of your campaign, build your email list, and raise more money online.

Date: Monday, May 11, 2020 - "Mobilizing and Managing Volunteers Remotely"
Time: 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
How to bring in, connect with, and energize volunteers remotely.

Date: Thursday, May 21, 2020 - "Budgeting Best Practices"
Time: 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
How to build your budget, readjust it when the unexpected happens, and revisit it after a primary win.

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/

Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2020 - "Local Leaders: How To Hold Your Team Accountable to Reach Your Goals"
Time: 8:00pm - 9:00pm ET
While our country continues to change due to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, your work as a local leader is more important than ever. That's why we're continuing our Local Leader Virtual Live Training series - to help you do the work to change your community.

Campaigns & Elections:

Date: Thursday, May 7, 2020 - Campaigning From Home: How to Scale Voter Contact During a Pandemic
Time: 11:00am-12:00pm EDT
Price: FREE
The new normal has forced campaigns to quickly adjust to remote organizing, including the ways in which we communicate with voters. Join Campaigns and Elections and Joanna Williams from GetThru for a discussion on how GetThru's P2P texting and calling tools can help you continue to scale voter contact and stay connected to your supporters during an unprecedented time.

Indivisible Trainings

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OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS:

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

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

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

ACTION ITEM(s): 

It is no secret that the current administration is fearful of voting by mail and that there has been a long-standing effort to sabotage the Post Office as it exists to day and replace it with a private service. The Trump administration has specifically refused to provide relief to the USPS when considering funding for businesses affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. 
But like the free press, and an open internet, the public mail service is critical to our democracy. Most recently in Nevada, a judge ruled that the plaintiffs who sued to prevent the Secretary of State from running the primary by mail failed to show they would be harmed by the plan, but even had they been able to, he concluded that their worries about voter fraud were "without any factual basis."

1. The Trump administration is using the Covid-19 pandemic as an excuse to eliminate many regulations and programs - from clean air and water regulations to the USPS to social service programs. Two major efforts are currently underway - one to allow the USPS to go bankrupt and replace the current public mail service with private organizations that would not answer to the public good and the other to eliminate the payroll tax which, while it would provide no significant benefits to small businesses and workers who have lost their jobs or are on furlough, would allow the administration to argue that social security and medicare funding was unsustainable and that such programs should be cut. Contact your elected officials and let them know that public services are essential to the public good.

2. If you haven't already, fill out your 2020 census form! 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.

3. Go online and fill out your application to vote-by-mail at indianavoters.com or download the 2020 application to vote by mail form and send it in. It's very important that all of us who can vote by mail. Support our endorsed candidates as they negotiate an unprecedented primary session.

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

5. 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/