flowchart for counting IRV Votes

Remember the primary debacle this past spring? Remember all the times that qualified, worthy candidates were shut out of an election because they stood outside the major political parties? Remember your frustration after Florida in 2000 or Ohio in 2004?

With our current electoral system, voters often must choose between the ‘lesser of two evils,’ instead of being able to vote for their favorite candidate. Ranked Voting (also called Instant Runoff Voting) is the best chance to move past the problems we’ve seen and take back our democracy. The best chance to institute IRV is at the grassroots, with us.

That’s why I’m inviting you to join us at the FairVote Rally on October 25th, from 7:00-9:00 pm at the Academy Ballroom, 400 E. Evergreen St. , Vancouver . There will be plenty of live music, from solo artists Alison Zopel and Justin Klump, and bluegrass band Fadin’ by 9.

Candidates for office have been invited to speak. There will also be a mock election, where participants will be able to rank candidates from the presidential primary. They will also be able to rank the issues most important to them, from debt and taxes to health care and housing. The results of the elections will be announced at the end of the show. All proceeds will be donated to FairVote.org, which advocates for instant runoff elections.

Our vote is often the only chance most citizens have to influence politics. IRV will give those citizens the power to support candidates or issues that would not otherwise have a voice under the current electoral system. Tickets are $10 at the door.

Feel free to email me with any questions!

Thanks and cheers!

sirgumball@hotmail.com

Note from David Carrier:

Post from: Democracy for Vancouver

This year’s Walk & Knock canned & boxed food drive is taking place December 6th, with opportunities to volunteer that day, and/or on Saturday Oct. 25 and Saturday Nov. 29, when we’ll be folding the paper Walk & Knock grocery bags that will be put into the Columbian for subscribers.

You can find information about the event here, and sign up to volunteer here. This year, it will matter more than ever.

For 23 years, the Inter-Service Walk and Knock Food Drive in Clark County, Washington has come to the aid of the community. Every year on the first Saturday in December, thousands of volunteers from all over the county go walking and knocking, collecting non-perishable foods. In 2007 the effort collected just over 141 tons of food and $16,000 of which 100% was used to purchase additional food.

The Walk and Knock Food Drive encompasses the entire Clark County area. Volunteers come from local church groups, high school clubs, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Campfire, and several other organizations, as well as hundreds of other individuals who answer the call for help.

Members from local non-profit organizations and other community leaders head up the various staging sites. Volunteers gather together Saturday morning and begin their routes at 9am. By 4pm the food laden trucks head to the Port of Vancouver where space in a warehouse is donated to store and sort the food. By the end of the following week, the food is distributed out to the food banks where it is needed.

This project is like no other. It brings the entire community together, helping those in need, and unity to all who volunteer.

Those who rely on the food banks often have to decide on which is more important, paying the light bill or the rent, or using that same money to put food in the mouths of their children. We may not be able to solve this problem entirely, but together we have an opportunity to let families put this decision off just a little bit longer.

Post from: Democracy for Vancouver

David Carrier
for State Senate
17th Legislative District
www.davidcarrier.org

Hello supporters!

We’re in the final stretch now- just over ten days to go- and the race is extremely close. Your help is needed now more than ever. In recent polls the 17th District vote is split 50/50 between Don Benton and myself, and between Governor Gregoire and her opponent Dino Rossi. That’s too close to call.

Doorbelling will be the key to our success. You are the face of this campaign. People are astonished to see a candidate and campaign volunteers at their door. Our doorbelling is the only thing that reverses the perception that this race is more than just the same old politics as usual.

A person at the door is the very best way to communicate that we really do care about our world, our nation, our state, our community, our people. Our future hangs in the balance of a very precarious economic situation. We need to elect candidates who have solutions to this global financial mess we’re in. We need to ensure that everyone will vote all the way down the ballot.

Can you help us with doorbelling? Please give Eric a call if you can make it. If you can’t meet us at the starting time, please just give us a call and we’ll let you know where to find us.

Please forward this message to other folks who care as much as you do!

Thanks so much for your support!
David

reply to:
Eric Horvath
eric@davidcarrier.org
work 360-892-2712
mobile 267-977-0749

next week’s doorbelling schedule:

Saturday 2:00-6:00 pm: Precinct 664
meet at Fisher’s Landing Transit Center at 2:00 pm
corner of 164th Ave. and SR 14

Sunday 2:00-6:00 pm: Precincts 483, 434, 560
meet at Salmon Creek Park and Ride at 2:00 pm
corner of 134th St. and I-5

Monday-Thursday 4:00-7:00 pm: Precincts 659, 682, 683
meet at Evergreen Transit Center at 4:00 pm
corner of 138th Ave. and 18th St.

Post from: Democracy for Vancouver

From Clark County Elections Office:

November 4, 2008 general election - mail ballots now available

Ballots for the November 4 general election are now available at the Clark County Elections Department, 1408 Franklin Street, Vancouver. Election Department office hours are from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Additionally, the Clark County Elections Department will be open on both Saturday, October 18 and Saturday, November 1, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mail ballots will be sent to all eligible registered voters. If a voter does not receive their mail ballot by Tuesday, October 21, they should contact the Elections Department by calling (360) 397-2345 and request a replacement ballot. Replacement ballots can be requested in person, by mail or by telephone. Our mailing address is Elections Department, P.O. Box 8815, Vancouver, WA 98666-8815.

On Tuesday, November 4, Election Day, at 5 p.m., the process of entering the scanned ballot information into the ballot tabulation system will begin. No reports of election results will be printed until after 8 p.m., Election Day. Election results will be released to the public and news media at Gaiser Hall, Clark College at or before 8:30 p.m. Election results will also be available on the County Auditor’s Web site at http://clarkvotes.org. A sample ballot for this election is currently available at this Web site address.

Your ballot will be in your mail box any day now.  Here is a PDF sample of the ballot.  Watch for it and please vote.

Post from: Democracy for Vancouver

Post from: Democracy for Vancouver

Wall Street

TrueMajority.org a project of USAction.org

Dear xxxx,

America Says NO Bush Bailout!

Attend an emergency rally against the Bush bailout.

Our pressure is working. Already this week, TrueMajority members have made almost 20,000 calls to tell their Senators “NO” to the Bush corporate bailout. Now news is beginning to come out that some lawmakers, Republicans and Democrats alike, are having second thoughts about going along with the administration’s plan.

We can put the brakes on this.

Tomorrow, Thursday, September 25th at 5 pm ordinary Americans are organizing Emergency Rallies against the Bailout nationwide. Other TrueMajority members have already started 75 rallies in their towns, will you join them?

ATTEND AN EMERGENCY RALLY AGAINST THE BAILOUT

We’re all in this together. The proposed bailout is a $700,000,000,000 dollar check from your bank account, handed over to Wall Street. This is literally the largest give away of public money to the private sector in history. We have an historic emergency, and it’s on us to step up and lead.

Together we’ll send a clear message that America Says NO to Bush Bailout!

Thanks for leading the way,

-Ilya

Ilya Sheyman
Online Organizer

Forward this email to your friends who support Main Street not Wall Street by clicking the “Share This” button below.

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Post from: Democracy for Vancouver

Planned Parenthood and the Healthy Washington Coalition invite you to attend:

The Washington Health Care Reform Caucus

Tuesday, September 23rd 2008
6:30 - 8:30 PM
Clark PUD Building, 1200 Ft. Vancouver Way

The Washington Health Care Reform Caucus is a town hall meeting to get feedback from citizens about the important values to include in a health care reform plan. This is your chance to make a difference in health care in Washington State.

If we don’t make sure that reproductive health is part of any health care reform proposal, it could easily become an optional part of health care.

Please rsvp to laura.ellsworth@ppcw.org or 360.571.0160 x2832.

Free T-shirts for all who attend!

Post from: Democracy for Vancouver

Drinking Liberally

Promoting democracy one pint at a time.

• Second Tuesday of each month, 7:00 pm onward
• Salmon Creek Brew Pub, 108 W Evergreen Blvd (close to the corner of Evergreen and Washington, downtown) (map)
• Hosted by Kathy and Matthew Ferrier, Alice Norton and Regina Ferrier, vancouver (at) drinkingliberally.org

Link to email updates

Hope to see you Tuesday night!

Kathy, Matt, Alice, and Reg

Post from: Democracy for Vancouver

Image via Wikipedia

You are invited to a fundraiser and campaign strategy session for

David Carrier
Democrat for State Senate
17th Legislative District
www.davidcarrier.org

Thursday Sept. 18, 6:00 pm

Los Potrillos Restaurant
14415 S.E. Mill Plain
(between Hearthwood & 136th Ave.)
Vancouver, WA. 98684

Come show your support for David and
help strategize for the remainder of the election.
Now is the time to ask questions and tell him what
YOU want to accomplish when we win this election.

$20 donation includes a delicious appetizer,
dinner & dessert (beverages extra)

Email Carolyn Wolin
to make your reservation NOW.
Don’t forget to invite your friends!

/>

Post from: Democracy for Vancouver

Poker for Pets
No-Limit Texas Hold’em Tournament

Texas Hold’em
Saturday, September 20th
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
All Natural Pet Supply

$25 donation earns you $10,000 in chips to play like a pro and a chance to win awesome prizes!

1st Prize - Skamania Lodge Hotel
$300 at Hotel, Golf, Spa +/or Dinner
2nd Prize - Skamania Lodge Hotel
Room for 1 night
3rd Prize - $100 to Pro Golf

Limited seats available - Call to reserve your spot today 360.573.0667

Unlimited spectators welcome with a donation of $5 for the animals - includes a raffle ticket!

Appetizers compliments of All Natural Pet Supply.

Thank you sponsors: Columbia Pacific Corp., Pro Golf Vancouver, JumboBumbo.com, Simply Thyme Catering, State Farm, Edward Jones, and Skamania Lodge.

Image via Wikipedia

This is a Humane Society for SW Washington event.

Post from: Democracy for Vancouver

Click to enlarge

As per The Columbian, construction of the new shelter facility for the Humane Society of SW Washington in East Vancouver will begin in September.  There will be a groundbreaking ceremony on September 10 at 1:30pm.  The new facility will be located at 912 N.E. 192nd Ave.

Photo credit

Post from: Democracy for Vancouver

1 Comments

• At August 26, 2008, Bridget Pilloud wrote:

  Great News! Congratulations Humane Society for SW Washington!

From Kay Ellison of Vancouver for Peace:

Hi all!

We are excited about the upcoming Vancouver Peace and Justice Fair on Saturday, September 13th at Esther Short Park!   We hope you are planning to come!

How can you help and be part of this cool day?    There are 3 main ways:

1.  If you are part of a group that works for peace and justice, why not ask them to participate in the fair?   Perhaps you have already signed up.  There are over 40 groups already signed up who will be there with tables and information about their groups!  See who has already signed up by looking at the website under the tab:  Reserve a Space.  The form to send in can be printed from our website www.vancouverpeaceandjusticefair.org

2.  Volunteer to help on the day of the fair.   We need people to be at the headquarters table, at the children’s area, put up and take down sandwich board signs, “traffic” directors, the Vancouver for Peace table, and even as reenactors of people of peace.  Contact  Kay Ellison with the times you are interested in doing any of this.  We need help a few people at a time from 7:30-6:30.

3.  Last, we need posters put up all over town!  We have some colored 11 x 17 posters already, and also have where you can download and print posters on our website:  11 x 17, letter size, and small ones that are 4 to a page.  See our website www.vancouverpeaceandjusticefair.org to print a poster!

Looking forward to hearing from you, and seeing you at the fair !   Kay Ellison

Post from: Democracy for Vancouver

Click here to sign up for this action.  Walk your neighborhood door-to-door spreading the message to end the illegal war and occupation of Iraq.

Post from: Democracy for Vancouver

Image by Rev. Santino via Flickr

Celebrate with like-minded progressives - Meet and influence local candidates - Get to know the Democratic Coordinated Campaign - Find ways to make real change. Light refreshments will be provided. A suggested donation of $2 requested Eric Withee Field Organizer – Campaign for Change

Sunday, August 3 at 4:00 PM

Waterworks Park Amphitheater (Vancouver, WA)
Fourth Plain & Ft. Vancouver Way
Vancouver, WA 98664

Sign up here

Post from: Democracy for Vancouver

Tim Probst

You’re invited to help elect a leader we can be proud of as our voice in Olympia!  Please join us for the summer kick-off for Tim Probst, Candidate for State Representative, 17th District, Position 1.

Peggy Sheehan, Karen Ciocia, and Jeanne Kojis invite you to join us for a fun evening as we celebrate the candidacy of our friend Tim Probst.

Tuesday, July 29

5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

In the beautiful backyard of Peggy Sheehan’s home

714 E 22nd Street, Vancouver, WA 98660

Please RSVP today to Steven Sparks at 360-989-7817 or steven@ElectTimProbst.com.

Not tax deductible. Paid for by Elect Tim Probst, 14300 NE 20th Ave, Ste D-102-285, Vancouver WA 98686-1446

We need your strong support! $35 suggested donation, any amount greatly appreciated!

Post from: Democracy for Vancouver