Message from the First Vice-Chair

By Greg Bennett First Vice-Chair

Dear Democrats!

Welcome to the final ten weeks of this election cycle. My purpose here is to remind everyone about a few issues and to ask for your help.

First, I want everyone to be aware of Project 2025. Most of you have heard about it; some may have read it. What I want to do is make sure that everyone understands what this document is and states. In a nutshell, it is a plan to attack our liberties, rights, and so much more. Because this project has gotten so much push-back, even Trump has tried to distance himself from it. But let’s be honest, this is a blueprint of what he will do if he becomes president again. So, here is a link so you can read the entire document if you have the time to digest its 922 pages (https://static.project2025.org/2025_MandateForLeadership_FULL.pdf). If not, here is a link to a shortened piece on what Project 2025 is and what it will do  (https://democracyforward.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-05_Peoples-Guide-Pro-2025.pdf). At the very least, please look at the latter piece to educate yourself on how Project 2025 will potentially affect your life. Hopefully, this will encourage you to talk to your neighbors, friends, and family and motivate you to help us during this election cycle to ensure that no part of Project 2025 ever becomes policy.  

Second, I want to remind everyone to begin planning their vote. Everyone should find out when early voting begins and ends (October 19th – November 2nd), where your polling places are, and when they are open (https://www.sandovalcountynm.gov/countyclerk/bureau-of-elections/elections/voting-options/all-polling-sites). Also, consider making plans for your family and friends. This way, everyone will know where and when to vote. Remember, every vote counts in this election, not just for the top of the ballot but for the down-ballot candidates, as well.

Third, I am asking for volunteers. Of course, I am! So, what do we need, exactly? During September and until Election Day, our biggest need is for people to canvas. It is known that engaging voters at their doorstep is the most effective way to motivate people to vote. Therefore, we have assembled our candidate’s literature into packets and identified addresses that need to be canvassed.  Every Thursday from 3-5 PM and Saturday from 11 AM – 1 PM, I will be at our HQ office handing out these packets. If you would like to canvas, please stop by. You should also know that we don’t expect you to complete these canvassing turfs in one day. If you do, that is great, but if you can’t finish it is OK since we give you a week to complete it.

As of this writing, we await instructions on how the Democratic Party of New Mexico (DPNM) wants us to phone bank. I hope by the time you read this, we will have phone banking up and running. Therefore, once we have our instructions from DPNM we will need people to make those calls. Remember, phone banking is second only to canvassing in getting people out to vote.

If you don’t like canvassing or talking to people on the phone but enjoy planning events, we could use your help. We need help planning rallies in Cochiti Lake, the Town of Bernalillo, Rio Rancho, and Corrales. So please let us know if you can help plan and make these events successful.

If you don’t like canvassing, talking on phones, or planning our events we have postcards that need addressing. This joint project from our Communications and Data teams allows individuals who receive these cards to use a QR code or a link to a website to see the Democratic candidates for their specific ballot. These links will provide candidate as well as voting information. We believe these postcards will be invaluable tools in getting out the vote this election cycle.

Lastly, we are patiently waiting for Harris-Walz campaign literature and signage. I hope it comes earlier, but we do not anticipate receiving it before the end of September. In the meantime we do have “Kamala Harris” signs.

Greg Bennett