News

The following information on breast and cervical cancer resources has been shared by Concerned Black Women of Calvert County.

Facts about the Southern Maryland Regional Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (Word doc) 

Facts about the Southern Maryland Regional Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (PDF)

Southern MD BCCP Flier (PDF)

From a friend of CCDWC who took the Election Judge course:

"I served today at the Calvert Board of Elections (BoE) as a  canvassing judge and learned several bits of information that I think that you should know: 

·        Submit mail-in ballots as soon as possible! Ms. Gail Hatfield, the Calvert Elections Administrator reported this morning that the BoE has mailed out some 19,000 ballots, but, to date, has received and canvassed only 4,700 or so. While most of us sit back and think that there are some 21 days left before the election, so we have plenty of time to get in our ballots. Ms. Hatfield reported that, historically, most mail-in ballots do not arrive until the last day or two before an election. If that practice continues this year, the BoE will not be able to canvass the mail-in ballots that arrive during Early Voting because the in-person voting will take place in the same location in which ballots are now being counted. So we actually have only 11 or 12 days for the BoE to count our ballots before the election (late-arriving ballots, of course, will still be counted after the election, but that could take a lot longer).  

While I was very impressed by the professionalism and thoroughness of BoE officials today in processing the 1,500 ballots we canvassed today, I also observed how long it took to count today’s batch. It took six of us roughly three hours to canvass 1,500 ballots. We had no major glitches and worked relatively quickly, but it still averaged only 83 votes per person per hour. If voters do not soon start to return their ballots either by mail or drop box, the Calvert BoE could face significant delay in certifying the Calvert ballot count. The bottom line for avoiding/minimizing this problem is for us to GET YOUR VOTES IN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! 

·        Write or print your name clearly in the outside of your envelope. Now that I’ve seen how the BoE checks for signatures on ballots, I realize that they are not being overly solicitous about spellings and punctuation. They are just checking to insure that you are registered as a voter in Calvert County. They can’t do that if your signature is just a squiggly line and your printed name has no more clarity than a sea gull dropping on our docks. Make sure that your name is clear on the envelope and your vote will be counted. 

·        Follow the guidelines for marking your ballot. Several voters marked their ballot choices with x’s or check marks. If the BoE has the time, they seem to try to credit the voters’ wishes, but, if they have to process thousands of ballots in a short time, they may not have that luxury. Please fill in the bullets for your choices in black ink.   

·        Changing a marked ballot. Should you find that you either accidentally marked your ballot incorrectly or want to change your vote, you may do so by putting an x through the wrong choice and marking the correct choice with a properly filled in bullet. Annotate the bullet you crossed out with a short note along the lines of “Changed vote” and initial that note. Obviously, that should not be a common practice, but, given the stakes in this election, we want to make sure that every vote counts.   

I hope that you find this information helpful."

Want to wear your Democratic pride and let your neighbors know you're on the right side of history? 

You're in luck! The Calvert County Democratic Central Committee (CCDCC) has new "Vote Organize Win" t-shirts that celebrate Calvert Democrats. This t-shirt is available as your gift for a donation of $25 or more.

Get your t-shirt here.

OK, we know you respect science and don't have to be coerced into wearing a mask, but...

wouldn't you love one of these?

Wear your Democratic pride and let people know where you stand in the 2020 elections.

This stylish mask will make a statement that you care about Democratic values: things like protecting your fellow citizens; listening to epidemiologists and infectious disease experts; and valuing people over profits.

Because if we don't protect America's human infrastructure, what exactly are we defending?

Proceeds benefit the Calvert County Democratic Central Committee (CCDCC).

Get yours now.

Thank you for supporting Calvert Democrats!

Democratic pasta--a quick and easy meal after major housecleaning.

Celebrate Donald J. Trump's hopeful (fingers crossed) exit from the White House by purchasing some festive Democratic pasta!

We hope you enjoyed this year's virtual Democratic National Convention, with inspiring speeches full of hope for our brighter future. (It's so close we can practically taste it!) Your local Calvert Democrats are here to bring that vision into fruition--but we need your help.

Due to COVID-19, the Calvert County Democratic Central Committee (CCDCC) has been thus far unable to hold their main fundraiser, the Goldstein-Miller Dinner, this year. This pasta fundraiser will help the CCDCC cover some expenses to keep things humming for the upcoming election. Additional (non-pasta) donations are also (always) welcome.

Grab some pasta - here's the link.

Thank you for supporting Calvert Democrats!

From a press release from Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh:

Attorney General Frosh, Coalition of Attorneys General to File lawsuit over Trump Administration’s Attempts to Undermine Postal Service

Severe Operational Cuts Could Hobble Postal Service Just Months Before National Election

 

BALTIMORE, MD (August 18, 2020)– Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh announced today that Maryland is joining a multistate coalition in filing a federal lawsuit challenging drastic operational changes at the U.S. Postal Service that threaten critical mail delivery and could undermine the national election in November.

 The Postal Service cuts, including eliminating staff overtime, altering operations at state distribution centers, and removing critical mail sorting equipment, threaten the timely delivery of mail to individuals who rely on the Postal Service for everything from medical prescriptions to ballots.  

 “Trump attacks on the postal service are designed to disrupt the election.  They strike at the core of our democracy,” said Attorney General Frosh.  “That is bad enough, but Trump and DeJoy are also hurting innocent bystanders:  Americans who are waiting for their medicine or their social security checks.  This conduct is harmful, illegal and unconstitutional.  We are filing suit to stop it.”

 The states’ lawsuit will assert that the Postal Service implemented these drastic changes to mail service nationwide unlawfully, and seeks to stop the agency’s service reductions.  The changes at the Postal Service come as President Donald Trump has continued to baselessly claim that widespread vote-by-mail will lead to a fraudulent election.

Read/print the full press release (PDF)

The following news item is shared by Janet Bellizzi of the League of Women Voters of Calvert County:

We have been informed by the Calvert County Board of Elections of the following changes to the 2020 General Election:

Early Voting is now October 26^th through November 2^nd, including the weekend. The hours are updated to 7am to 8pm (previously it was 8am to 8pm). Calvert will still have the one Early Voting site. 

On Election Day, there will be five vote centers in Calvert, equal to the number of high schools plus our early voting center will be open on Election Day. We are in the process of determining the best sites for the vote centers. 

The mail-in ballot applications will be mailed out the week of August 24^th – August 28^th and should arrive in voter mailboxes the following week. It does include a pre-paid postage envelope to return to us.

We are looking into adding two more drop boxes for the County, one in the northern end and one for the south end.

A copy of the press release is attached.  Please share with family, friends, on social media or any other way you can reach the largest population of people.  

PLEASE NOTE THAT LWVCC STRONGLY ENCOURAGES PEOPLE TO REQUEST THEIR ABSENTEE BALLOTS ONLINE.  IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED ONE BY SEPTEMBER 8, PLEASE CONTACT THE CALVERT COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS AT (410) 535-2214.

WE ARE ALSO SUGGESTING THAT YOU CONSIDER DROPPING OFF YOUR COMPLETED, SIGNED BALLOT IN ONE OF THE DROP BOXES THAT WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE.  THIS WILL ENSURE THAT YOUR BALLOT IS RECEIVED ON TIME (8 PM ON ELECTION DAY, NOVEMBER 3) AND IS COUNTED.  REMEMBER THAT YOU CAN TRACK YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT ONLINE.

We will provide updates as more information is available.

Attached Documents:

Press Release: Board of Elections Approves Early Voting Days for General Election

Important Facts about the 2020 General Election: Calvert County, MD

FAQs about the 2020 General Election

Maryland Voter Bill of Rights* 

*Please note that the Maryland Voter Bill of Rights should be printed on both sides, flipped on short edge to create a "program-like" document.

Calvert Democrats have opportunities for volunteers to help turn out voters and turn Calvert blue. There are many things you can do from home, and the time commitment is up to you.

Click the SignUpGenius link below to check available opportunities and sign up.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B054FA5AA2CA1F85-volunteer

Attention Maryland Congressional District 5 residents (shared from an email blast):

"A MESSAGE FROM CONGRESSMAN STENY H. HOYER    

I hope you and your family are staying safe and healthy during these unprecedented times. With Election Day 90 days away, my office is limited in the communications we can send to constituents until after November 3. In order to keep in touch and receive updates on the work I’m doing for you in Congress, please subscribe to my newsletter by visiting my website and clicking “Signup for Steny’s Newsletter."

Through my newsletter, I share information about important legislation passed by the House of Representatives and critical information on how to keep your family safe during the coronavirus pandemic. Again, to receive my newsletter, please visit my website by clicking here.

My office is working around the clock to help Fifth District residents with IRS issues, VA benefit claims, immigration assistance, and other federal issues. Click here if you need help with a federal agency.

As always, I encourage all Fifth District residents to continue to share their concerns and insights with me by contacting my office or connecting with me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. 

Sincerely,

Steny H. Hoyer"

Want to...

• try your hand at community organizing?
• turn Calvert blue?
• gain some resume-building leadership experience?
• send Donald Trump out of the White House on a crashing blue wave?

Calvert Democrats need YOU!

Specifically, we need precinct captains in the following precincts:

District 1

01-003 - St. Leonard Elementary

01-005 - Patuxent Elementary

01-006 - Patuxent High School

01-007 - Mill Creek Middle School

District 2

02-001 - St. Leonard VFD

02-003 - Huntingtown High School

District 3

03-003 - Sunderland Elementary 

03-004 - Windy Hill Elementary

03-007 - Mount Harmony Elementary

What, you ask, is a precinct captain, and what do they do?

A precinct captain is an organizer and goodwill ambassador for Democrats in their voter precinct. They act as a bridge between the voters, the candidates, and the party to make the things that need to happen, happen.

Things like voter registrations. Reminding people to vote. Canvassing for candidates. Helping people get to the polls. Things like that.

(And during this challenging time, a lot can be accomplished via phone, email, and internet.)

Here is a list of the responsibilities.

Please remember that your goal as a precinct captain is to build a coalition of volunteers who will help you perform these duties.

(You are not expected to do everything yourself.)

If there was ever a time to step up, stand up, and mobilize to get Democrats elected, NOW IS THE TIME.

Our democracy is at stake.

INTERESTED? INTRIGUED? HAVE QUESTIONS?

Email Cindy Yoe to let her know you're on board!