Democracy for New Mexico

ACTIVATE! Info On Democratic Party of Bernalillo County

Michael Schneider has put together a page with information on the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County that includes an unofficial list of precincts matched to wards, who to contact to find out who your ward and precinct chair are, and other very helpful stuff:

He'll be adding more information as he gets it, so check back. If you have any information he can use, send it along to Mike.

I'm adding a link to Mike's page to our Democractic Party links on the left-hand sidebar on this site. You can find out what Bernalillo County precinct you're in by visiting the and entering your address.

Remember, the time to step up and become more active in the Democratic Party is now if we want to make sure that progressive candidates and issues get their due. You are urged to attend the Precinct Activation Meeting on Saturday, February 5th at 11:00 AM at the IBEW Hall, 4921 Alexander Blvd. NE in Albuquerque.  This will be a hands-on training session about how you can activate your precinct, run for precinct or ward chair, and more. It's coordinated by the Democratic Party of New Mexico. For more information, call Terri Holland, Director of Party Affairs, at 505-830-3650, ext. 11, or email her a terribk7@aol.com.

As noted in our list of Coming Events in the right-hand sidebar on this page, the Bernalillo County ward meetings, where ward and precinct chairs will be elected, are tentatively set for March 3rd. The meeting of the Bernalillo County Central Committee is tentatively scheduled for March 12th, while the meeting of the State Central Committee is tentatively planned for April 23rd. Times and locations for these meetings have not yet been finalized.

Check Out I'm Blue

From Tony  DellaFlora:
I'm Blue was formed in response to the disaster of Nov. 2. Our first priority was to give "blue" voters a chance to make it clear that regardless of the results of the election, progressives and liberals everywhere would continue to stand on principle.

Thus, we declared Inauguration Day a National Day of Mourning and Solidarity for blues. We ask progressives to observe a moment of silence during the Inauguration and encourage them to wear blue mourning armbands that day.

The long-term goal of the group is to use its website, www.imblue.net as a resource for bringing together the disparate elements of the progressive movement, particularly in New Mexico. We will assist  local groups in disseminating information about issues, events, meetings and opportunities to take action. But we are most interested in redefining and reframing progressive values, creating cohesive strategies for long-term success, and serving as a resource for progressive candidates in this state. If that works, then we'll look at the rest of the country.

Editor's Note: You may have met Tony at our DFA-DFNM Meetup or other progressive events around town. He's a great guy and I'd like to urge you to visit his website and his online store. If you buy an "I'm Blue" armband or bumpersticker, 5% of the purchase price will be donated to us for the cause of our choice. Just type in "DFNM" in the coupon spot on the online order form.

Pack ABQ Civic Plaza 1/22 for NARAL Pro Choice Rally

The threat to our civil, reproductive, and human rights is very real. With a Supreme Court vacancy looming and President Bush's inauguration approaching, we need you to stand with us to protect our courts and our values.     "Protect the Courts - Protect Our Values!" * Reproductive Rights * Civil Rights * Human Rights * Rally on Civic Plaza for the 32nd Anniversary of Roe v. Wade When:  Saturday, January 22, 2:00 - 5:00 pm Where:  Civic Plaza, between 3rd & 4th at Tijeras, Albuquerque, NM Candlelight Procession Immediately Following the Rally (Please meet at Civic Plaza by 4:30 pm for the procession) What is the purpose of this rally? The rally will give everyone who is concerned with this administration's divisive and deceptive tactics regarding our judiciary a chance to stand up and be counted.  We can't take our constitutional rights for granted - Bush has already put hundreds of ideological judges on the federal courts, and over the next four years he may get to nominate several Supreme Court Justices.  Come to the rally and get information on what is being done here in New Mexico to safeguard civil and reproductive rights and how you can take action!  What is being planned for the rally? Lt. Governor Diane Denish has been invited, and Rep. Mimi Stewart, along with others, is scheduled to speak.  We will have musical entertainment and a slide show of the March for Women's Lives in D.C.  There will be biscochitos and hot chocolate to keep everyone fed and warm!  Sign making and kid-friendly activities will also be on hand, so families are welcome!  The rally will conclude with a candlelight procession to commemorate the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision. What is the cost? Free and open to the public! We encourage you to come to Civic Plaza on Saturday, January 22 and forward this message to your friends and family to get them involved as well! For more information, please contact 505.243.4443 or e-mail Rally@prochoicenm.org. For Choice, The NARAL Pro-Choice New Mexico Staff and The Albuquerque Choice Action Team

Click for rally flyer.

Reminder: I Am Blue Event Set for 1/20

ANTIDOTE
AND
INOCULATION
TO THE
INAUGURATION
I AM BLUE, One of 57 Million Mobilization Event

DO SOMETHING (while U can)
THE AMERICAN WAY!

NETWORK, ENERGIZE,
SOCIALIZE, FORMULATE,
ORGANIZE

WHERE: La Posada Hotel (downtown ABQ, 2nd & Copper)
WHEN: JANUARY 20TH
TIME: 6:00 – 9:00 PM

Some of the people who will be there - You....... and ACLU, Democracy for New Mexico, Democratic Party, New Mexico Democratic Friends, Equality for New Mexico, New Mexico Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, Peace and Justice Center, Veterans for Peace, Planned Parenthood, NM Trial Lawyers, and many more!

For more info contact – Kathy 239-7493; katsbluevent@earthlink.net

Cost: Free entrance. I am putting up my own money for this, and I do not have $40,000,000.00 to spend, so donations are greatly appreciated!

Click for an .

Lastest News From the DPBC

The lasted e-news from the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County had several important items, included below. If you know any registered Democrat that would like to be added to the e-news, please send their name, e-mail address and County to dpbc@att.net.

********************
2005 legislative session will be from January 18 – March 17, 2005.  Last day for the Governor to pocket veto legislation is April 8
********************

THIRD THURSDAY MEETING, JANUARY 20, 6 PM, LAW SCHOOL, ROOM 2401
The Third Thursday meeting, January 20, will be held at the Law School, Room 2401, 6 PM.  The agenda will include a presentation by Resolutions Chair Mel O'Reilly on political discourse in the party as reflected in resolutions developed at the ward/precinct level for consideration by the State Central Committee and state conventions.  Discussed will be procedures (ward/precinct --> county --> state), range of issues, development of a platform when needed, proper submission format and placement in meeting and convention agendas to allow serious consideration.  Other issues of party organization such as active participation of elected officials at all levels and fund raising to sustain our activities will be discussed and suggestions solicited.
********************

MEETINGS CALENDAR
Most likely schedule (check with state and county HQs for possible changes - locations to be announced) - DPNM: 830-3650, DPBC: 256-1855 & 1856:

Bernalillo County wards & precincts, Thurs. March 3
Bernalillo County Central Committee, Sat. March 12
State Central Committee, Saturday, April 23

********************

PRECINCT ACTIVATION MEETING, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 11 AM, IBEW HALL
All Democrats are urged to attend: IBEW hall, 4921 Alexander Blvd., NE, Saturday, February 5, 11 AM (north of Renaissance Blvd. opposite Costco and Home Depot).  Bring a sack lunch - the meeting could run a few hours.  Call Terri Holland for information: 830-3650 x11.

Marvin Moss, First Vice Chair
DPBC
marvmoss@msn.com

Key NM Election Evidence Destroyed

From Help America Recount
January 17, 2005

A civil lawsuit, filed on behalf of eight New Mexico residents Friday claims that the certified results of the 2004 New Mexico general election demonstrate that voting machines used in the election malfunctioned seriously enough to affect the outcome of election races, including the race for President. 

The lawsuit was filed Friday in the state Second Judicial District Court in Albuquerque by attorneys David Garcia of Santa Fe, John Boyd of Albuquerque and Lowell Finley of Help America Recount. All three attorneys are also representing Libertarian Party presidential candidate Michael Badnarik and Green party presidential candidate David Cobb in a separate recount request, which is still being litigated in the New Mexico Court of Appeals. 

Election officials are statutorily prohibited from clearing voting machines while a recount request or other election contest is pending.  On January 12, Secretary of State Rebecca Vigil-Giron authorized county Election Directors to erase the voting machines used in November.

Patricia Rosas Lopategui, a plaintiff in the civil suit, said, “The government of New Mexico keeps blocking us from finding out what happened to our votes.  First they put up roadblocks to stall the recount request and now they want to destroy evidence vital to a voting rights suit filed by New Mexico voters."

“Why they want to use these same voting machines after so many problems have been shown with them is beyond me,” said Aurora Sanchez of Santa Fe, also a plaintiff in the suit filed Friday.

The voters' suit requested a Temporary Restraining Order to secure voting machines and software in order to determine exactly how and why some machines failed to accurately record and count votes. On Saturday, the court denied the motion for a temporary restraining order. Counties have already begun clearing the voting machines.

Attorney Lowell Finley noted, “Monday is the day the nation honors Martin Luther King. Jr., who fought for voting rights for all Americans.  Forty-five years after his death, New Mexicans are still battling for the rights Dr. King championed.”

Contact:
recount@newmexico.com:
Mitch Buszek, 505-204-0833
Sonja Ellison, 505-271-0271
Holly Jacobson, 206-769-7185

https://www.helpamericarecount.org/ 

Albuquerque's Counter-Inaugural Rally & March

COUNTER INAUGURATION RALLY
ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO
JANUARY 20

WHEN :10 am – 2 pm

WHERE: Smith Plaza, UNM Zimmerman Library

FOLLOWED BY: 2 pm to 5 pm Walk to Vigil
at Domenici Federal Courthouse, Lomas & 3rd

MORE INFO: Contact: Jan. 20 Coalition 268-9557

NARAL News

From NARAL Pro-Choice NM:

1.  Watch KOB TV Eye on New Mexico this Sunday at 10 AM (right after Meet the Press) - I will be debating the head of Right to Life Committee of NM

2.  Mark your calendar for Saturday Jan. 22, 2-5 PM for the Albuquerque Roe rally at Civic Plaza downtown. Click for rally flyer.

3.  If you haven’t bought your ticket yet for the Wednesday Jan. 26 Champion Dinner at La Fonda in Santa Fe – now is the time! Go to www.prochoicenewmexico.org

4.  Mark your calendar and take the day off on Thursday Feb. 10th for Pro-Choice Lobby Day at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe.  We train you and send you out to lobby legislators (Call 243-4443 to rsvp. Space limited.)

Giovanna H. Rossi
Executive Director
NARAL Pro-Choice New Mexico
www.prochoicenewmexico.org
Promoting and Protecting Reproductive Choice in New Mexico since 1973.

Protest ABQ Old Town Missile This Saturday

Click on the image for a larger version so you can read the poster.

Recount: ACTION ALERT

TODAY
State Canvassing Board Meets
5PM * Governors Conference Room
State Capitol

We will be asking the State Canvassing Board to approve our request for a recount of the 10% priority precincts in the state.

The Attorney General and Secretary of State yesterday put out a memo to county clerks that they could begin clearing the voting machines.

We are filing a Temporary Restraining Order to prevent the machines from being cleared.

Call your County Clerk and urge them to maintain the integrity of the machines for the recount.

Your attendance at this important meeting is critical !!!

Mitch Buszek
NM State Coordinator
Help America Recount