Desert Stonewall Democrats work to stop the recall of Gov. Newsom

COACHELLA VALLEY —  Local Republicans are bringing in Mike Huckabee, the 44th governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007, to support the efforts of Rescue California to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom. Local Desert Stonewall Democrats (DSD) will have representatives from the campaign and state party to share up-to-date information about the campaign to stop the recall.

Desert Stonewall Democrats will devote its July meeting to the recall ballot on Gov. Gavin Newsom.  This meeting is July 20 at 6 p.m.

Some are buoyed by the July 8 New York Time opinion titled, “The Gavin Newsom Recall Is a Farce. Most Californians want no part of this nonsense.”

The DSD group will share information about the campaign, best messaging, and what you can do to stop this attack on the Governor. There will also be an expert panel including Lizzie Heyboer, Organizing Director for the California Democratic Party in Sacramento, Andrea Guzman, Southern CA Organizing Manager for CADEM, and Elle Kurpiewski, Region 19 Director, plus a representative from Gov. Newsom’s campaign.

The group’s Zoom meetings are recorded to allow those who cannot attend to view them on a private YouTube channel. If you do NOT wish to be identified in the recording, please turn off your camera and use first name only when you log on.
Even before the meeting there is much you need to know.

The group has shared basic information, including dates, the process, and ways to get involved.

A far right coalition has qualified a recall election against Governor Newsom, according to DSD. Desert Stonewall Democrats joins the California Democratic Party, the Riverside County Democratic Party and all the Democratic Clubs in the Coachella Valley in opposing the recall.

Governor Newsom has long been a champion of LGBTQIA+ rights. Remember his issuing of marriage licenses to same-sex couples when he was Mayor of San Francisco? DSD endorsed Newsom when he ran for Governor and retaining the Governor by voting NO on the recall is our club’s top priority!

To learn more, visit the official campaign website: Stop the Republican Recall

Critical Dates:

Election Day: September 14
Ballots Mail beginning: August 16
Last Day to Register to get a vote-by-mail ballot: August 30th
Day of Action: July 24
About Election Day, Mail Ballots and checking your registration:

All registered voters will receive a vote-by-mail ballot.
If you are an eligible voter but did not register by August 30, same day registration available at vote centers will allow you to complete a provisional ballot.

The California Secretary of State website is a wonderful one-stop-shop! From here you can:

  • Check if you are registered to vote.
  • Check where you are registered to vote.
  • Check your political party preference.
  • Check your language preference for election materials.
  • Check the status of your vote-by-mail or provisional ballot after voting.
  • Find your polling place or vote center.
  • Find information for upcoming local and state elections.
  • Find contact information for your county elections office.
  • Choose how you want to receive your state and county voter guides before each election.

The list of polling places, vote centers and drop off boxes for mail-in ballots has not yet been posted. When they are determined you can find them at the California Secretary of State website by clicking here.

Be sure to follow the instructions on the ballot. A shockingly high number of ballots are not valid because people do not follow the instructions for both the ballot and the envelope. You must sign and date the envelope and write-in your registration address. Mailed ballots must be postmarked no later than Sept. 14. Make your vote count – follow the instructions.

DSD urges you to mail in, or drop-off your ballot as early as possible. This helps the campaign, as they will not have to chase you down with phone calls and expensive mailings.

The Process:

The most important thing to understand is that to retain Governor Newsom you must VOTE NO on the recall.  Again, VOTE NO on the recall.

The recall ballot asks two questions:

  • First, it asks if the present Governor, Gavin Newsom, should be recalled.  If 50% + 1 of all persons VOTE NO ON THE RECALL then Governor Gavin Newsom remains in office. This is what we want! Vote NO to retain Governor Newsom.
  • The second question asks, if the Governor is recalled who do you vote for, for governor. The incumbent Governor is not allowed to be on this list.  If the majority of voters VOTE NO on Question 1 then the votes for Question 2 become irrelevant because Newsom remains in office.  To avoid confusion the California Democratic Party is not running a candidate in Question 2. We win by having a majority of voters voting NO on the recall question.

What you can do to Stop the Recall:

VOTE: The polling is good so far! If everybody who supports the Governor votes NO then we will win.  The danger is that we become complacent and don’t vote, or we don’t understand the process and vote the wrong way. Check now to make sure your voter registration is up to date!

URGE YOUR FRIENDS TO VOTE NO ON THE RECALL: People are not used to recall votes or elections in September.  We must make sure our friends and family vote. Easy ways to do this include. 1) Sharing information on your social media. 2) Reminding your friends and family to Vote No on the Recall on September 14.

VOLUNTEER FOR THE CAMPAIGN: There are many ways to volunteer for the campaign including on July 24th that will be a “Day of Action.”  Desert Stonewall Democrats will be sharing information about the Day of Action and how to sign up for the campaign at this meeting and via its website, Facebook page and e-mail.

DONATE:  It is estimated that the campaign may cost upwards of $400 million. DSD has donated $1,000 to the campaign. We ask each of our members to make a contribution to the campaign that is affordable and meaningful to them.

If you have any questions or comments about the meeting you can reach DSD at: info@desert-stonewall.org or (760) 260-8104 (Voicemail).

 

Image Sources

  • Stop the Republican Recall: Facebook