Democratic Club

by Mary Larson

LW contributor

There are many months left to go before Leisure World residents will receive a vote-by-mail ballot from the Orange County Registrar of Voters. Nevertheless, the SBLW Democratic Club is already implementing plans designed to raise awareness about the importance of the 2024 Primary Election.

These club plans include: scheduling potential Democratic candidates as speakers at club meetings, helping Leisure Worlders understand how important their vote will be in local races and raising funds for candidates as well as voter outreach efforts.

The club’s “Get Out the Vote in 2024” task force is already organizing a neighbor-to-neighbor program. The goal will be to have a visible presence in every mutual. Volunteers will reach out to potential voters in their respective neighborhoods to stress the importance of voting in the primary election and offer assistance as needed.

The SBLW Democratic Club has also begun offering a monthly voter education program open to current and potential Democratic voters. The first session in July addressed how the Democratic Party functions at the local, county and state level. Future sessions will deal with details about down-ballot issues and candidates. Sessions on how to counter hateful rhetoric will also be offered. These sessions take place on the third Wednesday of the month in Clubhouse 3, Room 3, at 1 p.m.

Because of the importance of local elections, the club’s membership meetings will feature presentations by candidates such as Frances Marquez, who is running for a position on the Orange County Board of Supervisors.

Rep. Katie Porter, who is running to succeed Dianne Feinstein in the U.S. Senate, will join the club’s August meeting via Zoom. Adam Schiff, another candidate running for the same position, joined club members by Zoom in June. The club is still attempting to schedule a session with Barbara Leem who is also running for the same position as Porter and Schiff.

There are several thousand registered voters in Leisure World. Whether or not they all vote in March primary and who they vote for may well play a significant role as to which candidates will be on the November General Election ballot.

••• The Democratic Club’s information and registration booth will be open again on Tuesday, Aug. 1, from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the Clubhouse 6 parking lot. Democrats and potential supporters are invited to stop by the booth to get more information about the club or to register to vote.

Leisure World’s electronic bulletin boards now include a welcoming message from the LWSB Democratic Club. LW Democrats are invited to subscribe to the club’s free electronic newsletter. This semi-monthly publication covers more in-depth reporting on issues and candidates. People do not need to be a club member to subscribe. To sign up, email mlarson. telfords@gmail.com or call 562-296-8521. It is important people include their full contact information, as well as party affiliation in the email.