By the 1770s, the British monarchy was finding it increasingly difficult to collect taxes from rebellious colonists thousands of miles across the ocean who had no representation in Parliament. Colonial militia skirmishes with British soldiers escalated until, on April 19, 1775, someone fired “the shot heard around the world’’ in Lexington, MA.
So began an all-out war with the highest imaginable stakes: the autonomy of a people whose voice in governing had long been stifled. The American Revolution was a fight for the voice of a people who, on July 4, 1776, declared themselves a democratic republic determined to protect that voice for generations to come.
Today, as we witness political leaders work to destroy democracy and silence the peoples’ voice, we must remember that free and fair elections are the cornerstone of democracy. Members of the Republican Party continue to erode that cornerstone by proposing and passing voter-suppression bills in Arizona and forty-seven other states.
Key figures in the Republican Party continue to promote lies and conspiracy theories regarding the 2020 election’s outcome. Media entities like OAN, and the QAnon conspiracy, promote the idea that Democrats should be killed, threatening the very foundation upon which they claim to stand.
As Democrats, we must work every day to combat the right wing’s lies, and call out the Republican leaders who continue to tread this path of insanity. The more of us there are to unite against these individuals, the stronger our entire nation will become.
We have the chance to celebrate the Fourth in person this year, thanks to President Biden’s commitment to distributing COVID vaccinations and promoting public-health awareness. While we can finally celebrate with friends and family, we must remember that next year, democracy will be on the ballot again, at the very top of the ticket. In 2022, all of our voices must be heard, and we must take responsibility to uplift those communities who are continually denied the right to their voice.
Please have a joyful, safe Fourth of July. We can’t wait to see you at HQ when we re-open on July 2!
Arizonans are accustomed to voting by mail. Approximately 80% of voters are on the Permanent Early Voting List (PEVL). Especially during a pandemic, there are many advantages to voting by mail:
No need for unnecessary coronavirus exposure by going to the polls.
Reduces wait times at polls for those who do like to cast their votes in person.
Allows elections departments to begin counting votes earlier, increasing the chance of so we usually have a good idea of outcomes on Election Day.
People who vote by mail can log on to check the Recorder’s website to confirm online that their ballot was received and counted. Find the website link where you can check on your ballot status, is provided below.
PCDP’s message about mail-in voting is a simple one: Vote early, vote early, VOTE EARLY.
The Recorder Ballots will be sent send out ballots by the Recorder on October 7. If you are on the PEVL and don’t receive your ballot by October 14, call the recorder at 520-724-4330.
Don’t procrastinate! Return in returning your ballot quickly. While the Recorder’s office recommends says to put mailing your ballot back in the mail by October 27, we advise doing it so much earlier: —by October 19 or 20. Remember, the Recorder must receive your ballot must be received by November 3!! The postmark date doesn’t matter; It is the receipt date that will determine whether if your vote counts. or not.
If you do procrastinate, in returning your ballot, don’t rely on the postal service. Drop off your completed ballot at a curbside drop-off or early-voting location. Find the link to those locations which you can find provided at the links below.
If it’s Election Day and you’re still holding your completed ballot, in hand, drop off your competed ballot it at ANY polling location. Find your polling location can be found in the links listed below.
If you still have any questions, about any of this, call the Pima County Recorder’s office at 520-724-4330. They WANT to help you make your vote count. PCDP offers has prepared videos in English and Spanish about planning your vote in Pima County. Please share these video links, (listed below,) to with anyone you know who has questions.
One final note: DO NOT PUT A STAMP on the postage-paid envelope. That could actually slow it down. Happy Voting, Pima Democrats!
