Will We See You This Saturday at Spring Fling?

There Are So Many Good Things Going On Now That We’ve Moved the Upcoming Events Section to the Top of the Newsletter to Highlight All the Action. If You Are Looking for a Way to Get Involved Check Out Any (or All) of the Events Below

Will We See You This Saturday at Spring Fling?

Spring Fling is this Saturday, April 20th. Will you be joining us at the Bonfire? We’d love to see you there. Tickets are available through ActBlue - click the button below to be taken to the ActBlue Spring Fling page.

Spring Fling will be held Saturday, April 20th from 5 to 8 PM. We’ll be at the Bonfire at the Continental Fire Co. in Houghton.

Ticket prices this year are again $50, with Student tickets available at $40.

THE SPRING FLING IS A GREAT WAY TO MEET UP AND CONVERSE WITH FELLOW DEMOCRATS AND PROGRESSIVE VOTERS WHILE LISTENING TO ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO REPRESENT YOU, AND LEARNING FIRST HAND ABOUT CANDIDATES WHO ARE LOOKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

The Fling is also one of our largest fundraising events each year, and in an election year your support is especially important.

Final Session of the Rural Organizing Revival Training Series is Next Monday!

The first two sessions of the Rural Organizing Revival training series are now complete. You can catch the third of this three part series next Monday, April 22nd.

This fantastic Houghton-based training opportunity is available from our friends at the Michigan People's Campaign. If you'd like to come together with like-minded folks to learn how to organize to win the justice our communities deserve, then take advantage of this FREE training. Learn more and sign up here: https://www.mobilize.us/mipeoplecampaign/event/610290/

Candidate Filing Deadlines This Month and Next

THERE ARE TWO DEADLINES FAST APPROACHING FOR THOSE THINKING OF RUNNING FOR OFFICE.

If you are interested in running for a partisan office - including many local government seats, from Houghton County Board to Township Boards - you have until 4 PM NEXT Tuesday April 23rd to file to appear on the Aug. 6 primary ballot.

If you are interested in becoming a precinct delegate the filing deadline is 4 PM Tuesday May 7th. Filing for precinct delegate requires the submission of the Precinct Delegate Affidavit of Identity and Receipt of Filing form, which is available from the Houghton County Clerk. Click here to be taken to the Clerk’s web page to download the form and instructions.

If you have questions about running for any office, email us at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to provide assistance.

(NOTE: THE FILING DEADLINE FOR SCHOOL BOARD AND CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS IS JULY 23RD.)

Election Inspectors Needed - Training on Friday May 10th

ELECTION WORKERS ARE NEEDED FOR THE AUGUST PRIMARY AND NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Becoming an election worker is a great way to support the democratic process in your local community.

Election workers are hired, paid, and trained local government workers who assist with running local elections.

During an election, Houghton County needs a staff of paid and skilled election workers, called election inspectors, to assist voters and help process ballots. Anyone in Houghton County can be trained to serve as an Election Inspector in Houghton County. Houghton County Clerk Jennifer Kelly will provide training in May. The training takes about an hour. Training info below -

ELECTION INSPECTOR TRAINING

Friday, May 10th at 1:00 p.m.

Franklin Township Hall

An Election Inspector Application form is available here. To apply for the training, download, complete and submit this form to your local City/Township Clerk (use this search tool if you need help to find your local clerk). NOTE: You must declare a party on this form because State Law requires a balance of party affiliation among the Election Inspectors at each poll. It doesn't mean that you must be a member of a party, just that you identify with one of the parties.

If you’d like to learn more about what it means to be an election worker, view these Frequently Asked Questions from the Michigan Department of State.

At the Capital and On the Campaign Trail

A SMALL SAMPLING OF WHAT’S HAPPENING IN LANSING AND ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

• Trump On Abortion - The big news on the Republican presidential campaign trail in the last week has been Donald Trump’s announcement last Monday attempting to “find a middle path” on abortion by saying that the overturning of Roe v. Wade was a good thing (of which he’s very proud) and now it’s up to the states. And when each state decides, that “must be the law of the land.” On Tuesday the state Supreme Court of Arizona reinstated a total ban on abortion that dated from 1864. Trump immediately backpedaled from his Monday position, saying that Arizona had gotten it wrong, and urging state legislators to intervene. While Trump can’t seem to articulate a consistent position on abortion (because he doesn’t have one), there is one thing you can be sure of - if Trump becomes President and Republicans pass a Federal ban on abortion, he will sign it. MORE: CBS News

• Biden on Abortion - In response to Trump’s announcement, the Biden campaign released one of the most effective and compelling ads in the fight for reproductive freedom. The ad drives home the central issues of women’s healthcare and women’s rights, and points to the one politician most responsible for the situation we are in today. It focuses on the story of Amanda Zurawski, a Texas woman who almost died from a miscarriage after that state banned abortion. It’s a powerful ad, and if you haven’t seen it you should. Click below to view it.

• Student Loan Forgiveness - President Biden’s White House announced Friday it was wiping out another $7.4 billion in student loan debt for roughly 277,000 student borrowers. The Biden Harris administration has now canceled $153 billion in student loans for 4.3 million borrowers. MORE: Politico

• McBroom Endorses Trump - UP State Senator Ed McBroom has endorsed Donald Trump for President, and said in a panel discussion in Detroit last Monday that he doesn’t like the direction that President Biden is taking the country. This is the same Ed McBroom who, after the January 6th insurrection, chaired a state Senate committee investigating Trump’s 2020 BIG LIE claims of election fraud and found "no evidence" that there were "significant acts of fraud" in Michigan. Proving that Donald Trump isn’t the only Republican who can’t find a consistent position on things. MORE: Bridge Michigan

• Special Elections Today - Special elections are being held today to replace two Democratic state House Representatives who vacated their offices after winning mayor’s races within their districts. Since the two vacated office the state House has been deadlocked at 54 Democrats and 54 Republicans. This has resulted in minimal legislative activity. MORE: Associated Press 

• Anti-abortion Without Exception - In one of the special election races the Republican candidate has said that he opposes abortion “without exception”, and, if elected, is open to repealing the state’s landmark abortion law. MORE: Michigan Advance 

The Northlander

The April - May edition of The Northlander, the newsletter for Democrats in Michigan’s 1st Congressional District, is now available. Click below to view.

Our Next Monthly Meeting

HCDP Monthly Meetings: Unless otherwise communicated our monthly meetings are held the first Wednesday of each month. Potluck at 6 PM, Meeting at 7 PM. In the conference room at the Houghton Super 8, and by Zoom (starting at 7 PM).

NEXT MEETING: APRIL 3RD

Governmental Meetings

TUE APR 16 (TODAY)

The regular monthly meeting of the Laurium Village Council will be held tonight at 6:00PM in the village council chambers. The public is free and welcome to attend. More info can be found on the Village's website. 

WED APR 17

Hancock City Council meets at 6 PM in the Hancock City Hall Council Chambers.

Governmental meetings are scheduled throughout the month by bodies from the County Commission to City, Village and Township boards, committees and commissions; as well as local School Boards and the Copper Country Intermediate School District.

Check by phone or on the particular governmental website for meeting notices in your community. Your participation in local government meetings lets your elected and appointed officials know you are interested in their work, and can provide you with the opportunity to speak about your concerns during public comment periods