My fellow Democrats:
I hope that this message finds you and your family both safe and healthy. The Genesee County Democratic Party is adapting to overcome the new challenges presented by COVID-19. As promised, the Genesee County Democratic Party will be updating our members via email and social media. If you would like to be added to our email list, please contact our Membership Committee Co-Chair Patty Dorris, dorrispatty@gmail.com.
There are several updates. First, I am proud of our County Party for stepping up to care for and ensure that our fellow Democrats are okay during these difficult times. The Precinct Delegate and Membership Committees organized a remote phone bank to check in on our members and make sure that everyone has the resources that they need to maintain this quarantine. I would like to offer a special thank you to all who volunteered!
Second, the One Campaign has organized virtual phonebanks as well as a text messaging campaign reaching out to Genesee County voters to check in and gather their thoughts about what is happening to our community at this time. It’s easy to get involved and the schedule is flexible. Just sign up to phonebank here and sign up to text message here. The One Campaign will work to train you and answer any of your questions. Folks, this election will not wait. If we want to win in November, we have to put in the work now, so let’s do our part.
Third, we have some important deadlines coming up:
- While the DNC Convention has been postponed to August, the deadlines to run to become a delegate have not changed. There are 82 delegate positions that will be selected statewide at congressional district conventions that will take place virtually on May 16th. The date for those who are interested in running to submit their Declaration of Candidacy to the MDP is April 16th by 5pm. You can find the Declaration here. A copy of the Delegate Selection Plan can be found here.
- April 21rst is the deadline to file to be on the August ballot. In response to COVID-19, the County Clerk’s office has reduced hours and is no longer open to the public. Staff is available Monday-Friday from 10am to 2pm to answer phones and process work remotely. Candidates wishing to file an Affidavit of Identity must mail in the notarized form found here along with either the filing fee or the necessary petition signatures.
- The deadline to file to be on the August ballot to run for precinct delegate continues to be May 5th by 4pm. The application can be found here and must also be notarized.
- If you need help finding a public notary or have questions about being a precinct delegate, please give our Precinct Delegate Committee Co-Chair, Michelle Gushen, a call at (810) 223-4425 or email her at mgushen@gmail.com.
Finally, we are looking into conducting meetings using Zoom. We will keep you posted as those plans become more concrete.
Our community grows stronger due to both large and small acts of kindness, compassion, and voluntarism coming together on a daily basis. Thank all of you for all that you do and please stay safe.
In solidarity,
Keith Flynn
Chair, GCDP
