Nov 2, Make Your Voices Heard

One of the missions of the Legislative District 20 Democrats is to help our fellow citizens remain informed on important issues of the day. This blog post is to help you navigate your ballot for the November 2 general election. You may download a soft copy of this information to take with you!

FAQ (This is not a comprehensive list, but a condensed, please visit the Maricopa County Recorders website: http://recorder.maricopa.gov/web/elections.aspx for additional information)

1. What day are elections? Tuesday November 2, 2010
2. What time are the polls open? Polls are open from 6:00am-7:00pm
3. What proof of identity should I bring?
   Present ONE of these:

• Valid Arizona driver license or non-operating identification
• Tribal enrollment card or other form of tribal identification
• Valid United States federal, state, or local government issued identification
  
  TWO of these:
• Utility bill of the elector that is dated within ninety days of
• the date of the election. A utility bill may be for electric,
• gas, water, solid waste, sewer, telephone, cellular phone, or cable television
• Bank or credit union statement that is dated within 90
• days of the date of the election
• Valid Arizona Vehicle Registration
• Indian census card
• Property tax statement of the elector's residence
• Tribal enrollment card or other form of tribal identification
• Vehicle insurance card
• Valid United States federal, state, or local government
• issued identification
• Voter Registration Card / Recorder's Certification
• Any "Official Election Material" mailing bearing your name and address


OR Mix and Match TWO of these:

• Any Valid Picture ID from List #1 with an address that does NOT match the Precinct Register WITH a nonphoto ID from List #2 with an address that DOES match the Precinct Register.
• U.S. PASSPORT and one item from List #2
• U.S. MILITARY ID and one item from List #2

For a complete FAQ of Voter ID questions, please see http://recorder.maricopa.gov/pdf/ID_AT_THE_POLL_FAQS2009.pdf

Avoid Disenfranchisement

• Do not let your vote go unheard, if you are on the Permanent Early Voter List, mail your ballot with enough time for it to be RECEIVED on election day, not POSTMARKED by. If you wait until the day of, you can just walk your ballot into ANY polling place in Maricopa county and drop your sealed and signed ballot in the blue box -- no waiting in line!
• As much of a privilege as our right to vote is, the number one reason that your vote may not count on election day, even if you DO show up to the polls, is that you went to the WRONG polling place. Polling places change all of the time, KNOW WHERE YOU VOTE!
• Know when the polls open and close, you cannot vote if you are not in line by the close of polls

Use the Polling Place Locator to identify your polling place if you are not sure.

***IMPORTANT: If you have moved in the last 30 days and have not updated your voter registration, use your OLD address***

Be an informed voter!

There are many resources available to you that will help you decide which candidates you feel will best represent Arizona locally and in Washington. We have consolidated many of them here to assist in your process.

• The Citizens Clean Elections Commission recorded and televised debates for all offices in the general election, they are worth watching! Seeing how your politicians respond to each other and the issues will help you make informed decisions: http://www.azcleanelections.gov/home/video/generaldebatevids2010.aspx
• NPR local affiliate, KJZZ, has spoken with candidates in races across Arizona, giving fair and balanced coverage: http://kjzz.org/news/Vote2010
• A very nice summary of the candidates is provide on the liberal blog Random Musings

Ballot Measures

There are 10 measures on the ballot in this year's general election. At our District Meeting on Monday, October 11, 2010, we had the privilege of hearing a summary of the measures from Linda Brown of the Arizona Advocacy Network. The AzAN has done an exceptional job summarizing the measures and providing:

• A Description of each measure
• Background of the measure
• Impact of the measure
• The sponsors of referenda and a summary of how the Legislature voted
• Arguments in favor of and against the measure
• Partial list of supporters and opponents of the measure
• List of major contributors that gave money to support or oppose the measure
• Websites of interest (regarding the measure in question)

In short, the following are the AzAN recommendations:

• Vote YES on Props 110 and 203; Vote NO on all others.

You can download the full text of the AzAN ballot measures review here.

Legislative District 20 Recommendations:

Below are the recommendations of LD20 for statewide and local races, listed below are the Democratic candidates.

State

• Governor: Terry Goddard
• Secretary of State: Chris Deschene
• United States Senate: Rodney Glassman
• Attorney General: Felicia Rotellini
• Treasurer: Andrei Cherny
• Superintendent of Public Instruction: Penny Kotterman
• State Mine Inspector: Manuel Cruz
• Corporation Commission: David Bradley and Jorge Garcia
• Central Arizona Water Conservation District: Arif Kazmi and Jim Holway

County

• Maricopa County Clerk of the Court: Sherry B Williams

Local (LD20)

• Congressional District 5 Representative: Harry Mitchell
• Legislative District 20 Representative: Rae Waters
• School Board:
  Kyrene Elementary #28: Beth Brizel
  Tempe Union #213: Dave Wells and David Schapira
• Justice of the Peace:
  Kyrene Justice Precinct: Elizabeth Rogers
  San Marcos Justice Precinct: Michael Corey Chan
  University Lakes Justice Precinct: Meg Burton-Cahill

Judges

The Arizona Commission on Judicial Performance Review collects information on how judges perform by distributing written surveys and holding public hearings for people who have first-hand knowledge of the job performance of judges appearing on the 2010 general election ballot. Of interest for our precinct will be the performance reviews for Maricopa County judges. The Conservative blog http://azjudgesreview.blogspot.com/ provides analysis of Judicial leaning and appointment information, below is the summary:

L - Liberal LL – Leans Liberal LC – Leans Conservative C- Conservative

Name	Philosophy	Appointed By	AZJR
Rebecca White Berch	Moderate	Hull (R) - 2002	LL
Daniel A. Barker	Conservative	Hull (R) - 2001	C
John Gemmill	Moderate	Hull (R) - 2001	LC
Patrick Irvine	Not Known	Hull (R) - 2002	LL
Lawrence E. Winthrop	Moderate to liberal	Hull (R) - 2002	LL
Mark F. Aceto	Conservative	Symington (R) - 1995	LC
Aimee L. Anderson	Liberal	Napolitano (D) - 2007	L
Arthur T. Anderson	Slightly soft on crime	Hull (R) - 1999	LL
Janet E. Barton	Not Known	Hull (R) - 2000	LL
Edward W. Bassett	Not Known	Napolitano (D) - 2008	L
Dawn M. Bergin	Not Known	Napolitano (D) - 2007	L
Roger E. Brodman	Not Known	Symington (R) - 2002	LC
William Brotherton	Not Known	Napolitano (D) - 2007	L
Richard J. Gama	Tough on crime but considered liberal	Hull (R) - 2000	L
Larry Grant	Very Liberal	Napolitano (D) - 2003	L
Warren E. Granville	Very Liberal	Hull (R) - 2000	L
Brian R. Hauser	A decent judge, although moderate on crime	Symington (R) - 1991	LC
Hugh E. Hegyi	Active in left wing Legal Services Committee	Napolitano (D) - 2007	L
Joseph B. Heilman	Not Known	Hull (R) - 1999	L
Bethany G. Hicks	Soft on crime & invents new laws	Hull (R) - 1999	L
Jean M. Hoag	Considered okay	Mofford (D) - 1996	LC
Carey S. Hyatt	Not Known	Hull (R) - 2000	LC
Brian K. Ishikawa	Not Known	Symington (R) - 1995	C
Michael D. Jones	Considered lazy & a pushover	Symington (R) - 1995	LC
Joseph C. Kreamer	Active in left wing Legal Services committee	Napolitano (D) – 2007	L
Raymond Lee	Not Known	Napolitano (D) - 2003	L
Kenneth J. Mangum	Okay	Mofford (D) or Symington (R) - 1991	LC
Daniel G. Martin	Not Known	Napolitano (D) - 2007	L
Rosa P. Mroz	Very liberal	Napolitano (D) - 2004	L
Samuel J. Myers	Former Dennis De Concini intern	Napolitano (D) - 2007	L
Benjamin R. Norris	Not Known	Napolitano (D) - 2008	L

Get Involved!

Poll workers are officially known as Election Board Workers. Maricopa County Elections Dept (MCED) hires Board Workers and pays about $110 for what ends up being about 20 hours work, including up to 15 hours on election day. The Maricopa County Elections Department has a recruiter for each Legislative District. You can call your recruiter for LD20 directly at 602-506-8891. The MCED main phone number is (602) 506-1511.

You can also apply AND get all kinds of information at the MCED Board Worker info webpage: http://recorder.maricopa.gov/elections/electboard.aspx. There are links to the Election Board Worker Training Video and Manual, etc. We strongly suggest prospective Board Workers AND Observers look them over. It may look complicated, but it is just a matter of following a checklist.

If you scroll down the page, there's a web form you can fill out to apply to be a Board Worker. The MCED homepage is at: http://recorder.maricopa.gov/web/elections.aspx.

If you are interested in volunteering with LD20, we would be happy to have you! There are many ways that you can provide assistance, even if you are not a canvasser or phone banker, there is something for everyone!

Our Ahwatukee office is located at 4611 E Chandler Blvd, Suite 100 in the Kohl's and Applebee's shopping plaza just south of Starbucks or you can volunteer at many other locations around the valley! Contact Volunteer Organizer Emma Einhorn: Emma@ourarizona.org or call 480-648-4733

NOW, GET OUT AND VOTE!

Come Volunteer with LD20!

It's time to celebrate! We have opened our 2010 campaign office! Show your support by becoming a volunteer. We are counting on YOU this election season.

Contact Volunteer Organizer Emma Einhorn: Emma@ourarizona.org

Volunteer Hours:

Mon-Thurs 10pm-9pm: Phone Banks 10am-2pm, 2pm-5pm, 5pm-9pm

Friday 10am-5pm: Phone banks ALL DAY!

Saturday 10am-4pm Door to Door and Phones

Sunday 1pm-5pm Phone Bank and Door to Door

We are located at 4611 E Chandler Blvd, Suite 100 in the Kohl's and Applebee's shopping plaza just south of Starbucks!

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Primary Election, Tuesday, August 24, 2010

The time is near, it is your opportunity to make your voices heard in the upcoming primary election. Below are the Democratic candidates for the upcoming primary on August 24, 2010. Click on the candidate's name to visit their website.

Please Note: In contested Democratic Primary Races, The LD20 Democrats do not support one Democratic candidate over another. If you would like to have a representative from your campaign speak, please contact the Chair, CJ Briggle, of the Legislative District 20 Democrats by clicking here for email or call (480) 706-6047.

Countywide & Legislative District 20 Races:

Candidate for LD 20 State Representative:
Rae Waters

Maricopa County Clerk of the Court:
Sherry B. Williams

Justice of the Peace, Kyrene:
Elizabeth Rogers

Justice of the Peace, San Marcos:
Michael Corey Chan

Justice of the Peace, South Mountain:
Cody Williams

Constable, Kyrene:
Jon Levenson

Constable, South Mountain:
Lincoln Brevard Jr.
Ben Miranda
Jimmie Munoz
Tommy Sanchez

Arizona State & National Races:


Candidates for United States Senate:
John Dougherty
Cathy Eden
Rodney Glassman
Randy Parraz

Candidate for US Congress, District 5:
Harry Mitchell

Candidates for US Congress, District 6:
Amos Chiarappa
Rebecca Schneider

Candidate for Arizona Governor:
Terry Goddard

Candidates for Arizona Secretary of State:
Chris Deschene
Sam Wercinski

Candidates for Arizona Attorney General:
David Lujan
Vince Rabago
Felecia Rotellini

Candidate for Arizona State Treasurer:
Andrei Cherney

Candidates for AZ Superintendant of Public Instruction:
Penny Kotterman
Jason Williams

Candidate for Arizona State Mine Inspector:
Manuel Cruz

Candidates for Arizona Corporation Commission:
David Bradley
Jorge Luis Garcia
Renz Jennings

Candidate for Central Arizona Water Conservation District Board:
Arif Kazmi

Speed Camera Inequities: A Citizen Speaks Out

Speed cameras rolled out across Arizona as a statewide initiative to curb speeding in 2008 amidst protest and controversy. These cameras now pepper the roadside, often in locations that capitalize on reduced speed limits, difficult merge areas and long wide open stretches of highway. Despite the fact that there have been many recorded instances of incorrectly issued tickets, inconsistencies in citation and conviction, Arizona motorists continue to endure the speed camera's presence. We often encourage you to act on issues that affect you, and in this case, you do not have to simply tolerate injustice. Below, is a letter written by an LD20 citizen that we have been given permission to publish. We encourage you to share with us your issues and how you have taken action to address them! You can email us at ld20dems@gmail.com to share your stories.

Dear Mr McCain,

I am writing you today because I feel that our traffic and justice system are broken. This leaves our citizens and residents of Az feeling helpless, over scrutinize with not much added benefit and unsafe. Please let me expand.

In Phoenix many, many speed cameras (stationary and vans) have been installed, sometimes feet after a speed limit changes to 10 below where the speed cameras are. All of these speed cameras are machines that have any error, like any machine. The judge representative that heard my case in court and RedFlex witness both agreed that the cameras probably have 1 mph error inhered in them (although I have heard higher numbers for this error from police officials-the complaint line that the court gave me to report this- to be higher).

The fact is also that people also slow down when they see these cameras, which likely causes a lot of accidents. I have personally been rear ended on 5 different occasions (none being my fault) because of stops and goes in traffic flow. I can see a lot of potential accidents occurring from these cameras. This is a bad thing.

In addition, I feel that our justice system is flawed. I was tried by a judge representative that is not educated in statistics. I received a ticket for 11mph over the speed limit on a freeway where there were 2 other cars on my side of the free way and they were semi- trucks (not much of a sample size). Also, the camera van was parked feet away from where the speed limit changed from 75 mph to 65 mph. This did not give me much time to react. The RedFlex witness based his whole case on statistics, yet he could not tell me how they were calculated or what the sample size was. The judge representative listened and did not care. In fact he ruled in favor of RedFlex in every case that came before him that I saw that day. I sat through 3 other cases.

I feel that this was not a fair trial for 5 reasons. First, my friend Adolph received a speeding ticket for doing 11mph over the speed limit. He went to court and was found innocent in a Phoenix court (cmp number was 50179704). I was tried for the same thing and found guilty. Second, the judge representative ruling ruled against all of the defendants in his court room (that I saw). Third, the judge representative did not recognize error in the machines and misleading statistics from RedFlex (sample size 3 cars and misleading scatter plot). Fourth, I was given a help line number (from the court clerk) to a police officer’s answering machine that stated that the error on the speed cameras was up to 3 or 4 mph wrong and the court would not accept that and denied that the officer was affiliated with the court even though in the same court, it was the court clerk that gave me the number. Fifth, I tried to appeal, like the court clerk suggested, and a judge in the court said that he would not hear the case unless ordered to by the Supreme Court since it was already ruled on. It is $78 to file an appeal. I do not feel that my ruling was fair, but I feel helpless to do anything about it. Do you have any suggestions? I have a 7 day time limit.

Please write me back with suggestions about what I can do for my case and please look into all of the things I have written about our system.

I am very proud to be an American; however, I am not proud of the above.

Thank you for your time and attention,

Erin

LD20 Bunco: A Monthly Pasttime

Given the partisan climate of politics today, it can sometimes be very difficult to find an avenue where one can have open, honest discourse about the issues of the day. It was with this in mind that Tish Summers, a Legislative District 20 precinct committeeman for the Aprende precinct, helped found ladies Bunco night. That was almost three years ago, and in this its third year, it is still going strong. "We started out with a core group of around five or six," Tish said, and now the group consistently draws twelve players. The ladies of District 20 meet on a monthly basis to share fun, food and fellowship.

More than just a game, the recurring Bunco night helps to build camaraderie among the women. Bunco lends itself to conversation as it does not require a great deal of concentration, merely the ability to roll the dice, thus, very lively discussions take place amidst the calls of "Bunco!" and "Traveller!" During the last Bunco session, Ruth Levin, a Democratic activist and precinct committeeman, remarked that she is looking forward to the next election cycle. The tongue in cheek comment referred to the pending court case against District 20 representative John Huppenthal, whom Levin confronted for removing signage on election day in 2008. This type of candid discussion is what Tish Summers was hoping for when she began hosting, "It's been good bonding and getting to know each other outside of a formal political event," she said.

These days the venue rotates as a different host opens her home to the group each month. Hosting responsibilities include providing beverages, snacks, and a dessert of choice at the close of the evening. The monthly Bunco night also helps to replenish the District 20 treasury. Participants make a voluntary donation for attending. When asked if there are plans to expand the evening into other arenas, Tish replied "I am hoping to see other districts pick up the practice."


New players are always welcome at Bunco night! For more information on joining, please contact us at ld20dems@gmail.com, we would love to have you in attendance!

Cooking with the LD20 Democrats!

After months of collecting recipes from our members we have prepared, for your dining enjoyment, the first Legislative District 20 cookbook! Precinct committeemen Jean Cappello and Judy Wade worked tirelessly to solicit (and sometimes strong arm!) a wonderful selection of tasty meals, snacks and desserts to tempt your pallate!

District 20 Cookbook Fundraiser

The soon-to-be released cookbook includes nearly 200 recipes from your District friends and family, as well as many recipes from our Arizona Democratic superstars such as Former Arizona Governor Rose Mofford, Attorney General Terry Goddard, and our very own State Representative Rae Waters.

Quantities will be limited –These books will make excellent gifts for your Democratic friends and family. Order yours today! http://www.actblue.com/page/ld20cookbook

This event is sponsored and paid for by Legislative District 20

A Word From Our Young Democrats

We are fortunate to have active young Democrats who are helping reach out to the youth in the community of Legislative District 20. One of our dedicated young people was quite fortunate in receiving the opportunity to intern at the offices of Congressman Harry Mitchell in Washington, DC!

Erica Pederson is active on Arizona State University's campus as a Young Democrat, and helped stage the protest against the education budget cuts at the State Capitol earlier this year. She has maintained correspondence with LD20 and has given us her blessing in sharing some of her experiences. In her own words, Erica describes her time in DC:

I've been in DC for 7 weeks, and working in Congressman Mitchell's office for 6 weeks now, and I've loved every minute. DC is truly an amazing city, and it has so much culture, something that Phoenix seriously lacks. I'll be sad to leave in two weeks, but at the same time I am eager to return to familiar things, my friends, and my family. And LD 20!

Some of the highlights of my trip have been the holidays. Back in May on Memorial Day, I got to see President Obama speak at Arlington Cemetery, which was an incredible experience. My roommate and I arrived about 3 hours early in order to get good seats in the amphitheater, and we were probably about 150 feet away from the main stage.

I also got to celebrate the Fourth of July in the nation's capital. Some of my friends came in to town to visit me, and I showed them around all the monuments. We ended up at the FDR memorial to watch the fireworks show across the Tidal Basin just south of the mall, and it was hands down the best fireworks show I've seen ever. I kept thinking the finale was happening every 5 minutes, but the show lasted for 20 minutes, and when the finale finally did happen, there were so many fireworks that the smoke from them was clouding out some of the other fireworks. It was awesome.

Working in Harry's office has been amazing; it's been probably one of my favorite things about being here! Everyone in the office has been super nice, and they have been eager to help me when I need it. I've been doing lots of "interny" things, like sorting mail, answering phones, and data entry. But I've also been able to help some of the legislative staff with research, and I've done a lot with constituent correspondence. It's interesting to see the other side of politics, rather than just the campaign side.

I miss everyone in LD 20, please say hi for me!

Be back soon,
Erica

We are always happy to see our local stars shine brightly on a national stage!