February 2024
February is a time for celebrations – everything from Black History Month to Valentine’s Day to President’s Day, including Leap Year on February 29. If you are a senior citizen, you can remember when there were separate holidays for Lincoln’s and Washington’s birthday commemorations, but the need for a 3-day holiday weekend proved irresistible for the combination of a Presidents’ holiday on the third Monday of February as a result of the Uniform Monday Holiday Bill passed in 1968. It is still officially called Washington’s Birthday because Lincoln’s birthday had never officially become a designated Federal Holiday. Because of this, most dropped the Lincoln commemoration, and it is informally called the President's Holiday in many places. That’s my contribution to American History trivia for today!

On to our political message! The CA Primary is held on March 5 and I have already received my mail piece from Placer County Office of Elections informing me of the new Voters Choice Act procedures. If you are not aware of this, please go to the Office of Elections website https://placercountyelections.gov to verify your registration address and the details involved in the new process. There are only 36 days from February 1 until the last day to vote! If you have been curious and would like to witness how the Office of Elections processes the ballots, the Office of Elections invites members of the public to their office in Rocklin to observe while the staff demonstrates the transparency and integrity of the voting system. Please call their office at 530-886-5650 to find out the schedule of activities.

There is a lot of work to be done to support our CADEM-endorsed candidates: Jessica Morse for CD3 to defeat Kevin Kiley and Neva Parker for AD5 to defeat Joe Patterson. Please check out each campaign for information on how to volunteer or to get involved. In addition, you can sign up for activities through our Community Engagement Committee, which is featured in this newsletter.

The Federal Senate campaign is an open seat opportunity, and we have heard from the top three Democratic candidates: Barbara Lee, Katie Porter, and Adam Schiff. CADEM made no endorsement in the Federal Senate Race. Only the top two candidates will be on the November 5, 2024, ballot headed by the Presidential candidates. Let’s work to get Democrats into the top two slots! It certainly appears at press time (DeSantis just paused his campaign) that the Presidential candidates will be a repeat Biden-Trump face-off. As we know, this will be hotly contested in many areas nationally, including Placer County. Your vote will be needed! Democracy is at risk from the candidate who says he’ll be a “dictator for day one.” History does not demonstrate dictators giving up power on day two.

Our Central Committee Fundraising activities continue with another Zoom Bingo on Friday, February 23! It is a fun evening, family-friendly, and has great prizes. You can play in your comfy clothes, snacks of your own choosing, and no concerns about rain or parking! The Act Blue link is https://secure.actblue.com/donate/zoombingo24

Please join our Central Committee team to demonstrate our dedication to protecting our democracy and our freedoms, including bodily autonomy for all, and promote our activities to elect our endorsed candidates. Your participation can make a difference! Please contact me with any questions or suggestions on ways to improve our success locally: chair.pcdp@gmail.com

Kathleen Crawford
Chair, Placer County Democratic Party Central Committee