Not the Election We Worked For

A Word from the Chair

THIS KIND OF CHAIR'S NOTE IS ALWAYS HARD TO WRITE

We worked hard, we did what we could for a good and important cause, and it didn't work as we had hoped. We Democrats will need to figure out why, and it's probably best to do so with as many facts in hand as possible, after the acute phase of our shock has passed.

For now, we figure out where we are and what we can do to get to where we want to go.

We lost pretty much every contested race in the County: Portage Township Board, the makeup of the Houghton City Council. On the other hand, Glenn Anderson and Gretchen Janssen were re-elected uncontested (to the County Board's new four-year terms) as were all of the incumbent County officers. That speaks to trust.

ALL OF THE DOORS KNOCKED, THE POSTCARDS SENT, THE CALLS MADE - THEY WEREN'T FOR NOTHING 

Harris did about 3% better in battleground states than non-battleground states, and while that may seem cold comfort... Elissa Slotkin will be Michigan's new Senator, on a margin of 0.3%. We - you - helped. Locally, in a red year, with anti-tax signs posted in Houghton and Portage, the H-PT schools millage passed by a margin of 30, count 'em, 30 votes. That will matter to parents who are choosing our public schools because of their quality and strength.

For the next couple of years, here's what we must do: Stuff is coming down the pipe, and we need to be ready to live our values here in Houghton County, defend our vulnerable friends and neighbors, and fight for the good. In two years, we will need to replace our term-limited Governor with someone who will help keep Michigan a safe place to live. So for now, we need to take the next steps forward.

Thank you all for all the hard work you put out over this campaign season. I hope you will stick with us for the fights ahead.

Yard Sign Drop Off This Saturday

The HCDP Office at 323 Quincy Street in Hancock will be open this Saturday for anyone looking to drop off their yard signs. Stop by anytime between the hours of 10 AM to 2 PM.

Volunteers will also be packing up office equipment and supplies to go into storage, as this will be the last use of the office space for this election season. If you’d like to help please stop by Saturday morning.

County Convention December 4th

Per the Bylaws of the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP), County Parties in each County in this State having a population of less than 1,500,000 people must hold a County Convention following the November election in every even-numbered year.

CALL TO CONVENTION

The Houghton County Democratic Party will conduct our County Convention on December 4th beginning at 7 PM. (Our regular monthly meeting will begin immediately following the conclusion of the Convention.)

PURPOSE OF THE CONVENTION

Per the Bylaws of the MDP, Article 4.1:

Virtual Training - What is a Precinct Delegate?

We’ve talked before about the importance of precinct delegates to the functioning of a County Democratic Party, and the need for more folks to step up to this important role.

The precinct delegate is the elected office closest to the people. As a precinct delegate you would represent the people of your precinct to the party, and represent the party back to your constituency. Precinct delegates help get people involved in the party and in campaigns. They help distribute yard signs and campaign literature. They introduce candidates to their constituents, and their constituents and their issues and concerns to candidates. They help get out the vote. They represent the party in its local conventions, and help shape the party’s platform and public positions. Precinct delegates are the foundation of the party.

If you are interested in, or have thought about becoming a delegate for your precinct than you may want to attend a Zoom-based training opportunity being offered by the National Democratic Training Committee. The course will help you better understand not only the role and responsibility of a precinct delegate, but also help explain how local county parties like ours work.

WHAT: What is a Democratic Precinct Delegate?, an NDTC Virtual Live Training Course

WHERE: By Zoom

WHEN: This Thursday, November 14th from 1 to 2 PM

SIGN UP: https://www.mobilize.us/ndtc/event/714714/

Our Next Monthly Meeting

Our general party member meetings are the first Wednesday of every month at the Super 8 Motel in Houghton at 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise announced. You can also attend by Zoom - your email newsletter will have the Zoom details for each meeting.

You do not need to be a member to attend our meetings, and we would welcome you to join us.

WHAT: Potluck at 6 PM, Meeting immediately following the County Convention which begins at 7 PM.

WHERE: In the conference room at the Houghton Super 8, and by Zoom

WHEN: December 4th

Governmental & Community Meetings

TUE NOV 12

This month's regular meeting of the Houghton County Board of Commissioners is this afternoon at 3 PM (note the time change this month from the normal 4 PM start) in the Conference Room on the fifth floor of the Houghton County Courthouse. Find more information on the Board's webpage (find the Microsoft Teams virtual meeting info in the Agenda).

WED NOV 13

The Houghton City Council meets at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The Meeting Agenda can be found in the Searchable Document Center of the Council's website.

The Hancock City Council will hold an Organizational Meeting at 7 PM in the Hancock City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting agenda can be found on this webpage.