Welcome to Organizer’s Corner — a (free) newsletter from your friends at Get Pod Local! Because we can help you stay inform — but then what?
Enter in your weekly Call To Actions (CTA!) from our Resident Precinct Chair, Joey Cade!
I guess the world feels like it’s spinning off its axis is just the norm now and we have to get used to feeling like we are living on the brink of disaster.
We’re all going to age a decade during this 47th presidential term….
But while the Mango Mussolini and his crew are busy trying to start a trade war that hurts our wallets and a foreign conflict that hurts our souls, they are counting on one thing: that we get distracted. They want us scrolling, panicking, and paralyzed. They want us to think the only thing we can do is scream into the void.
But look at what happened in Hungary just last week.
The people there didn’t wait for a hero to save them. They didn’t wait for permission. They used the ballot box, organized their neighborhoods, and took their country back.
If they can do it, we can do it.
And we don’t have to wait for a miracle.
We have two elections to register our opinions in now.
Again, Dallas Dems have a helpful page explaining the 2 elections.
🗳️ Election #1: The Local Shield
Early voting for local elections is NOW until the 28th.
This isn’t just “local stuff.” This is the frontline of fighting fascism.
In Dallas County, we are voting on DISD Propositions. They aren’t just tax measures; they’re the difference between our kids learning critical thinking, or not. They are the difference between our schools having the supplies they need, or not. And they are focused on creating a more equitable school district for our kids.
If you live in University Park, Addison, or Highland Park, you’re also voting on whether to stay in the DART system. This is critical. If they vote to leave, it will cripple public transit for the entire metroplex. We need to fight for DART.
And friends in Mesquite, DeSoto, and Duncanville have City Council races on your ballot. These are the people who decide how our public resources are used in our communities, and how our police are held accountable.
In Dallas County, early voting runs until the 28th - Do not wait for Election Day (May 2)!
April 22–24: 8 AM – 5 PM
Saturday, April 25: 7 AM – 7 PM
Sunday, April 26: 12 PM – 6 PM
April 27–28: 7 AM – 7 PM
Election Day: May 2 (7 AM – 7 PM)
Check your ballot & put your voting plan in place
Enter your address to pull your personal ballot before you go vote
Because this is a county-run election, you can vote countywide, at any voting location, both during early voting and on election day (unlike the party-run primary election, which allows for shenanigans from the local GOP
If you get to vote to save DART in your city, our friends at Dallas Area Transit Alliance made this handy voters guide to tell you who to vote for in each seat that will fight to protect your city’s access to DART
Or, the League of Women Voter’s 411 guide is always a great place for thorough, nonpartisan details
And, put your plan on your calendar to ensure you get it done
GPL’s Local Election Endorsements
We are voting FOR all four Dallas ISD propositions (A, B, C, & D)
Proposition A: School construction, renovations, safety
Proposition B: Technology upgrades
Proposition C: Debt restructuring to free up classroom resources
Proposition D: Facility improvements, including pool
District 2: Sarah Weinberg
No Democrat in the D2 race so while we don’t promote her, Sarah is the least bad choice
If you live in D2 please consider running next time; I can’t remember the last time we had a good Democrat in D2, which is in central Dallas…
District 6: Dr. Joyce Foreman (good Dem)
District 3: Nazlee Burney !!
Nazlee’s race is one tons of friends are volunteering with as we speak
She’s an exciting candidate - and both competitors are maga, so please vote for Nazlee if you live in Dist 3, which is just north of 635 & 75 (check the map on her website)
At-Large District 6: No good choice; both are maga…
Trustee, At Large: Dave Jimenez (good Dem)
Mayor: Jaime Rivas; No Democrat in this race; Rivas is the least bad choice
Council District 2: Both women running are GOP; no good choice
Tina Bennett-Burton is just a little less maga, so the better of 2 evils
Mayor: Al Zapanta; not a favored choice but is a Dem; the other 2 are maga
Council, District 6: Fahad Ahmed (good Dem)
Place 1: You can’t go wrong
Kelly Snapp; if I could vote in this race, I’d vote for Kelly, a young teacher & IISD parent
Tom Robles, longtime Dem, incumbent
Place 2: Mary Lewallen
I think Stroup may win, but if I could vote I would gladly vote for Mary Lewallen
Both are Dem, but Mary, or “Mrs Le” as students call her, is a teacher & IISD parent
Heather Stroup is a parent & biz owner; I’m always going for the person with more direct connection to the students, and that’s a teacher (vote for Lewallen)
Trustee, Place 3: Cassandra Morris (good Dem; other candidate is maga)
Trustee, Place 4: Pamela Jai Mitchell (good Dem; other candidate is maga)
Trustee, Place 5: Carrie Bruce (good Dem; other candidate is maga)
Read: Helping My Community Learn Why Local Elections Matter
🗳️ Election #2: The Statewide Runoff
While we are voting locally, the Texas Democratic Primary Runoff is quickly approaching, in just a few weeks!
This vote is the final gatekeeper to us hopefully flipping some big seats in the Midterm election this fall. If we don’t pick the right champions here, we don’t stand a chance with all the trouble coming down the pipe from the maga GOP.
Yes, it is bananas to have 2 separate elections in one month; we agree. The confusion is the point. We have the GOP-run Secretary of State to thank for it.
Read: Dallas County GOP chair Allen West steps down amid voting controversy
TX Democratic Primary Runoff Election
Election Day: May 26
Get Pod Local’s primary runoff endorsements:
Attorney General: Senator Nathan Johnson. We need an AG who will defend our rights, not attack them like our current lunatic AG does.
Congressional District 33: Congresswoman Julie Johnson is tough as nails against the malignant incompetence of Republicans in DC. We need her in the fight. Her challenger served as our Congressperson before and was unreachable (for the entire 6 years he was in the seat) and more often than not was a rubber stamp for the last Mango Mussolini administration. No thank you.
More endorsements coming soon!
The Rule: You can vote in the Democratic Runoff if you did not vote in the Republican Primary. If you voted R in March, you are locked out. If you didn’t, or if you just registered, you are in. Make sure your registration is “Active.”
It is easy to feel small when the news is screaming about wars and economic crashes, but remember: Authoritarianism only dies when we show up.
Hungary proved it. We are proving it.
The chaos is real. The economic fear is strong. But so is our power.
We are the fire that takes back America. That starts by all of us voting in every election.
Here’s Your Call To Action — You Super Heroes
Vote Early. Go to the polls between April 20–28 for your local races.
Mark your calendar. May 18 is the start of early voting for the Runoff.
Talk to someone. Most friends aren’t aware of the 2 elections this month. Be the one who tells them. Both elections, like all elections, are important - and impact YOUR life & community.
Volunteer. Whether it’s phone banking for the runoff or helping a neighbor get to the polls for the local school board vote, your time is the currency of change.
Rest. Seriously. If you’re fried, take a nap. You can’t pour from an empty cup.
We don’t save the world by staring at our phones. We save it by showing up for the people we care about.
We are not helpless. We are a community. And a community that votes together, wins together.
So, vote early. Talk to a friend. Keep the pressure on.
Hugs, high fives, and solidarity,
Joey
This newsletter is free, but if you’d like, please buy us some coffee. xoxo
Organizer’s Corner is a Newsletter brought to you by our very own, Joey Cade. Lots of folks have ideas of what can help / what you should do — and while no one has all the answers, we (specifically Joey) do have some. Okay, a lot. Joey is not just a co-host of Get Pod Local …she’s also the Precinct Chair for Dallas’ Precinct 1052.
Your Moment Of Zen
What We’re Watching This Week
👇🏽We’re Also On Youtube!
We also post these on our Youtube Channel!
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GPL Presents: Organizers Corner w/ Joey Cade
Every Sunday night, Joey Cade, our Resident Precinct Chair, lays out our Call To Actions for the week. Because knowing what’s going on is one thing. But doing something about it is another. Let’s do both!
GPL Presents: Water Cooler with Jalon and Joey
Every morning, Jalon D’na and Joey Cade check in and talk about something we read or saw on slack. Videos drop some Thursday! (We are very busy…but we try our best!)
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Everyday, Jalon reads you the headlines of the day — just to keep you in the know. Think NPR at the top of each hour, with a lot of shade some jokes and levity.
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