Celebrate the great history, heritage and culture of the Sea Island community with us on Saturday, September 12th. The festival will feature food, fellowship, music (R & B, Jazz, Hip Hop, Rap and Gospel), health screening, voter registration information, Gullah storytelling and local artisans' handcrafted items. Sponsored by the Sea Island Revitalization Committee.
www.seaislandculturalartsfestival.com
info@seaislandculturalartsfestival.com
Meet and Greet with Jeremy Bird, Deputy Director of Organizing For America on Saturday, April 25, 2009 from 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Have you wondered what will become of the nationwide grassroots machine assembled over the course of the Obama campaign? Come learn! Organizing for America (formerly Obama for America) is the grassroots legacy of the campaign that changed the course of history. Find out about plans for OFA in South Carolina and across the country. Our featured guest, Jeremy Bird, served as state field director of the Obama campaign during the historic South Carolina primary. (Jeremy was the architect of the "house meetings" program that was used with great success across the country in the general election.) He also served as General Election Director for the Obama campaign in the battleground state of Ohio. Currently Jeremy works as Deputy National Director of Organizing for America.
Here are the details for the event:
April 25th, 4:30-6:30 PM Liberty Taproom and Grill
(803) 461-4677
828 Gervais St, Columbia, SC 29201
Cross Streets: Between Gadsden St and Lincoln St
Alert: News conference and hearings on voting legislation Wednesday and Thursday....attend if you can!
The SC House and Senate will hold hearings on Wednesday, March 25, and Thursday, March 26, on bills that will affect citizens' rights to vote in-person absentee and will erect new hurdles by requiring voters to present state-issued photo IDs at the polls.
A news conference will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 25 by several groups that have united to oppose the photo ID bill -- House bill 3418. The bill has passed the House and will be heard 9 a.m. Thursday by a Senate Judiciary subcommittee chaired by Senator Chip Campsen. The news conference is being held by AARP/SC, ACLU South Carolina National Office, Common Cause/South Carolina, League of Women Voters of South Carolina, SC Appleseed Legal Justice Center, South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP, and the Charleston Branch of the NAACP. The groups will voice their objections to this bill and call on the subcommittee to hold hearings on H. 3418 in Columbia, Florence, and Charleston to allow voters to testify.
The S.C. Democratic Party considers the General Assembly's handling of the photo ID bill and early voting to be crucial tests of South Carolina's will to remove barriers to citizens' right to vote in the wake of last fall's massive turnout. Republicans are running scared and are trying to put further restrictions on early voting and suppress certain votes, particularly of the elderly.
Here's a brief description of the three events:
CAPITOL steps on Wednesday Groups Hold Press Conference to Oppose H3418 WHAT: Press Conference in Opposition to H3418 WHO: Teresa Arnold, State Director, AARP/SC; John Crangle, Executive Director, Common Cause/South Carolina; Mary Horres, Co-Chair, Voter Services, League of Women Voters/Charleston Area; and Lonnie Randolph, President, South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP. WHERE: Press conference will be held on the front steps of the South Carolina State House on Gervais Street. If it is raining, the group will move inside the building. Note: No electrical power and no sound system will be available on site. WHEN: Wednesday, March 25, at 1:00 p.m. After brief statements from the speakers, representatives from all the organizations will be available to answer questions from the press. WHY: This legislation, if passed, will affect all voters and all tax payers in South Carolina. These organizations are committed to insuring that South Carolina's citizens become aware of its impact on the state budget and voters' rights.
HOUSE on Wednesday WHAT: Judiciary Election Laws Subcommittee to hear variety of bills to constrict or expand in-person absentee voting (aka: early voting). WHEN: 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, or 1½ hours after the House adjourns. WHERE: Room 515-A, Blatt Building, on Capitol grounds.
SENATE on Thursday What: Senate Judiciary subcommittee to hear variety of bills to constrict or expand in-person absentee voting (aka: early voting), plus the bill passed by the House that requires photo IDs. Bill numbers (at this hour) are: Ford's SB 352 on early voting, Campsen's SB 334 on early voting and HB 3418 (photo ID). WHEN: 9 a.m. Thursday, March 26 WHERE: Room 207 Gressette Building, on Capitol grounds
You can read any of these bills at www.scstatehouse.gov.
Jim DuPlessis Director of Information Technology and Research South Carolina Democratic Party 1529 Hampton Street Columbia, SC 29201 Main: (803) 799-7798 Toll-free: (800) 841-1817 cell: (803) 669-0055 scdp email: JDuPlessis@scdp.org
We encourage all Lowcountry friends who are going to the Inauguration to consider helping out at the National Day of Service event at RFK Stadium on Monday, January 19th. Kevin Puleo and Gillian Bergeron from our SC Primary Obama Lowcountry team are working with the Presidential Inaugural Committee on the National Day of Service project and will be on site for this event.
On Monday, January 19, 2009, to commemorate the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service and to honor his memory, you are invited to join Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and thousands of volunteers from across the country in assembling care packages for our Military. "A Day of Service for Our Military" will provide the opportunity for you to show your support to those who serve our country. Sign up now to volunteer for a shift, lasting approximately one hour, to assemble care packages. Care package assembly will take place inside a heated tent on the field of the historic Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in Washington, DC. Monday, January 19, 2009 from 10 am to 5 pm.
Take Metro to Stadium/Armory Metro Station–Orange and Blue Lines (Use of the Metro is strongly encouraged. Parking around the stadium will not be available.) Please be sure to sign up at http://www.usaservice.org/page/s/operationservice
Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium
Corner of Independence Avenue and 22nd Street in Southeast Washington, DC 20003
"From the porches of Charleston"
In Charleston, South Carolina on January 2, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at the Gaillard Municipal Auditorium at 77 Calhoun Street, Charleston, SC 29403 the entire community will come together for prayer and praise. The Mayor of Charleston, Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. is endorsing this event. A host of Pastors, churches, community leaders, political leaders, choirs, people of diverse nationalities have decided that the only way to HEAL OUR NATION is through Prayer & Praise. We desire to bridge the gap between race relations. Many of the people coming together also worked together during the campaign and have established wonderful relationships. Host: Pastor Kay Colleton Contact Phone: 843-722-9710 Friday, January 2 from 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Charleston, South Carolina Gaillard Municipal Auditorium 77 Calhoun Street Charleston, SC 29403 Sign up here: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gptxcl
Yes we did!
Attention all Campaign for Change volunteers! We worked hard for eighteen months and we turned Charleston County blue!
Let's celebrate our historic victory and make plans for change!
Join us for food and fellowship at a holiday get-together.
We'll discuss an exciting volunteer opportunity for the new year. Sunday, December 14th 5-8 PM Felix Pinckney Community Center 4790 Hassell Ave North Charleston, SC 29405-5169
Lowcountry for Change
http://lowcountryforchange.com http://blog.lowcountryforchange.com
Thank you for all you've done to elect Barack Obama to the Presidency. However, as Barack would say, we have more work to do. Please organize your friends, family, and neighbors to come to Georgia and get out the vote for Jim Martin, beginning Nov. 29th and running through Election Day, Tuesday, Dec. 2nd. Jim Martin is a strong Democrat who will help President-Elect Obama bring the change we need in Washington. His opponent, Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss, has promised to be a "firewall" to block as much of Barack's change agenda as he can. Turnout will be low (potentially only half of November 4th), so every vote you turn out counts twice as much as before. Volunteers are needed in the Atlanta metro area. The Martin campaign also has offices in Savannah, Augusta, and over a dozen other cities. Sign up here to volunteer: http://martinforsenate.com/cometoga.
If you would like to help but cannot travel, sign up here to make phone calls from home: http://martinforsenate.com/cometoga.
Attention all virtual phone bankers and volunteers! Our job is not yet done. The Georgia Campaign for Change needs your help to get out the vote for Jim Martin in the Senate runoff race against Saxby Chambliss! If you can make calls to voters in Georgia, or travel to Georgia, please follow the links below. From: Mike Schoengold Jim Martin's Campaign for Change mschoengold@martinvictory.com 941.518.4644Subject: Re: Virtual Phone Bankers Great speaking with you Charlie, here is the email I've been sending out to people in various networks. The main links to make sure people are aware of are the virtual call tool at : my.barackobama.com/call4martin <http://my.barackobama.com/call4martin> and the sign up sheet for paper lists at www.nationalfield.org/phonebank <http://www.nationalfield.org/phonebank> If anyone is interested in traveling, email us at volunteer@martinvictory.com First off, CONGRATULATIONS for being a part of the biggest political movement this country has ever seen. We're writing from the Georgia Campaign for Change headquarters to ask for your help to support Jim Martin's key Senate runoff race against Saxby Chambliss. We came within votes of winning on November 4, and with enough volunteer support we can win on December 2. We're asking you to <http://nationalfield.org/phonebank> organize phonebanks with your friends, neighbors, and teams to make calls into Georgia, and come here for Get Out The Vote, beginning Nov. 29th and running through Election Day, Tuesday, Dec. 2nd. <http://nationalfield.org/phonebank> <http://nationalfield.org/phonebank> Jim Martin is a strong Democrat who would give President-Elect Obama a chance to make change on day one. Senator Chambliss once told a group of supporters that homeland security would improve if the sheriff was able to "arrest every Muslim that crosses the state line" [1] and recently told a room full of Republican donors that "the other folks are voting this time." [2] The challenge is steep: many people here still don't even know there is a runoff. In order to pull this off, we need you to reach out to voters in Georgia, via phone and to come here for GOTV. Please enter your info into the webform: http://nationalfield.org/phonebank Thanks so much for your participation. Please help us elect Jim Martin, give President-Elect Obama a chance to make real change on day one, and show the world that the momentum for Democrats is mighty! Sincerely, The Out-of-State Volunteer Team, Georgia Campaign for Change volunteer@martinvictory.com http://www.martinvictory.com <http://www.martinvictory.com/> 1. http://www.adc.org/index.php?id=1235 , p. 128. 2. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/31/chambliss-the-other-folks_n_139725.html Mike Schoengold Jim Martin's Campaign for Change mschoengold@martinvictory.com 941.518.4644
Lowcountry Poll Checker/Runner Training
Training sessions for all Election Day Poll Checkers and Runners:
Sunday, October 26 from 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday, October October 28 from 7-8 PM
Thursday, October 30 from 7-8 PM
Friday, October 31, 7-8 PM
843-747-0364
Lowcountry Campaign for Change Headquarters
4925 Lacross Road North Charleston, SC 29406
Thousands of Voters Cast their Ballot by Absentee
Wed October 22, 2008 - North Charleston, SC reporter: Renee Williams posted by: Katie Newingham from ABC News 4 - http://www.wciv.com/news/stories/1008/563613.html
South Carolina voters are coming out in droves to cast their ballots early, but the Palmetto State uses absentee, not early voting. That means not everyone can head to the polls now. They are coming by car and by bus to vote absentee, but getting to the polls is not easy for everyone. The Vote Express is helping those who cannot get to the polls on their own.
“I can drive, but I don’t have a car,” 67 year old first time voter Abdullah Bilal said. “That is one of the critical needs that we saw. The people who don’t have vehicles,” Joseph Watson, a volunteer with the Eastside Development Cooperation says. They’re cranking up their cars and taking at least thirty people to the polls today. For some voters, their ballot is a ticket to a new opportunity. “Once upon a time, I tried to vote. They wouldn’t let me vote. It killed by spirit. Time is a great benefactor to change. It is my day,” Bilal added. Many minorities and elderly people are unwilling to trust the absentee process. They worry that their vote will not count. “We’ve talked to them about the need to trust to system,” Watson explained. “We’ve found it to be a very workable system.”
“Absentee votes are counted the day of the election and they are included in the totals election night when we give our totals out,” Berkeley County Absentee Clerk Cathy Harrell said. So far Charleston County has had 22 thousand absentee requests. That is up from 16,000 requests during the 2004 election. With a week and a half to go, expect these lines to get even longer. Dorchester County reports three thousand absentee ballots so far and that beats 2004’s number of 2,695. Berkeley County has processed six thousand already.
Here are the criteria to vote absentee in South Carolina:
1. You are a student, a student’s spouse of a dependent residing with a student. 2. For reasons of employment, you will not be able to vote on Election Day. 3. You are a physically disabled person. 4. You are on vacation. 5. You are 65 years old or older 6. You have been admitted to the hospital as an emergency patient on Election Day or at least four days prior to the election. 7. You have a death or funeral in the family within three days before the election 8. You are confined to jail or a pre-trial facility pending disposition of arrest or trial. 9. You are attending to a sick or physically disabled person. 10. You are a certified poll watcher of poll manager.
Watch the video!
Please join us for some fired-up phone banking at the Lowcountry Campaign for Change phone banking center. November 4th will be here before we know it, and now's the time to make those calls to identify our supporters and volunteers! Our phone bank center is open until 9 pm. We have 18 phones available to phone bankers. Come on in and make some calls for the Campaign! Friday, October 17 9:00 AM - 9 PM (All Day) Lowcountry Campaign for Change office, 4925 Lacross Road Suite 111 North Charleston, SC 29406
The Campaign for Change office is at the rear of the building.
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/manage/gshmfy
Call 843-607-3758 for directions
http://www.aikenstandard.com/local/1014AbsenteeSatellite voting offices for absentee ballots closed Much shouting, arguing and two executive sessions led to a fairly ambiguous end to an emergency meeting Monday but resulted in the closing of satellite voting offices for absentee ballots. Those wishing to cast an absentee ballot in Aiken will have to do so at the Aiken County Election Commission Office on Vaucluse Road and not at any previously designated areas. The emergency meeting of the Registration and Elections Commission was held Monday evening after officials received a letter from a Simpsonville attorney challenging the legality of receiving votes outside the main office..........
The Simpsonville attorney, Todd Kincannon, 27, practices in Columbia and is a major player in the S.C. Republican Party, serving as counsel and parliamentarian. Kincannon attended the meeting and stated his case repeatedly that his interpretation of the applicable statutes meant only voting at a specific location. Kincannon, who has been practicing law for less than a year, has already received awards from the State GOP and has written amicus briefs for them to the U.S. Supreme Court..........
We need your help to win on November 4th! Please join us on Saturday, October 11th!
Famous artist and Charleston native Shepard Fairey (featured in this week's City Paper: http://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A53006 ) graciously donated some of his extremely collectible "Hope" posters to our Lowcountry volunteer group. Every week, from now until election day, we'll give a "Hope" poster to one lucky canvasser and one lucky phone banker!
Campaign for Change office4925 Lacross RoadNorth Charleston, South Carolina 29406Phone: 843-747-0364Hours: Monday - Friday 9-9, Saturday 10-9, Sunday, 1-9The phone banking center is open every day!
THANKS!!YOUR LOWCOUNTRY REGIONAL FIELD DIRECTORS,JANE LESNICK, ROBIN BIRO, and ASHLEY JONES
