Meeting Cancellation

 

The Bristol Virginia Democratic Committee is cancelling all scheduled meetings at least through the end of April as recommended in the effort against spread of the Covid 19 virus. This cancellation includes: 

  • Breakfast With Democrats scheduled for Saturday, March 21 at the Golden Corral, 
  • the regular monthly business meeting of the BVDC scheduled for Monday, April 13th, at the courthouse,
  • the Breakfast with Democrats scheduled for Saturday, April 18th at the Golden Corral, and
  • the TN/VA Social scheduled for Monday, April 20, at the State Line in downtown Bristol.

Bristol VA Democratic Committee News and Notes for March 2020

Election News: 

Thank you to all who turned out for the Democratic Primary! In Bristol VA we had 512 votes for Joe Biden, 325 for Bernie Sanders, 94 for Elizabeth Warren, and 74 for Michael Bloomberg. Other than these top four candidates, others listed on the ballot received from 0 to 8 votes. The turnout for Bristol was 9.5% of registered voters, which is a good turnout for a Democratic Primary. 

Notes:

We have an election on May 5, for Bristol City Council and School Board. Please inform yourself on the candidates and participate in this important election. Remember that you can go to bristolva.org/elections and find information on what ID is required to vote, restoration of rights, deadlines for registration, absentee ballot, etc. Be an informed voter, check out the elections web page, and be familiar with the candidates. There is also a Facebook page for our elections office, Bristol VA Elections and Voter Registration. If you follow that Facebook page, you have already seen our candidates for local office posted yesterday. They are:

  • City Council
    • Anthony M. Farnum
    • Michael W. Pollard
    • Ric S. Watts
    • Kevin N. Mumpower
  • School Board
    • R. Tyrone Foster
    • Frank Goodpasture III
    • Jean P. Mulumba
    • Ginger N. Fleenor

In-Person Absentee voting for the 2020 City Council and School Board Election begins on Friday, March 20, 2020, and is open during regular business hours 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m M-F at the office of the Registrar at City Hall. The office will also be open for absentee voting on Saturday, May 2nd, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the last day for in-person absentee voting in the local election.  

Notes: 

The Virginia Presidential Primary is over, but these Elections are still to come in 2020:

  • General Election May 5, 2020 (School Board and City Council)
  • June Primary (if needed) 
  • General Election November 3, 2020 (Presidential election)

Check your registration, especially if you did not vote in the previous election, and pay attention to the registration deadlines. You can use the link to official information on all elections in Bristol to check your registration. 

Calendar for March:

  • Committee Meeting, Monday, March 9th, at 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Bristol Virginia Courthouse, 497 Cumberland St., in Bristol, VA. This is the regular Committee Meeting of the Bristol VA Democratic Committee. All Democrats registered to vote in Bristol Virginia are encouraged to attend. 
  • TN-VA State Line Social, Monday, March 16th, at around 5:00 p.m. at the State Line Bar and Grille, 644 E. State St., Bristol, TN, 37620. This is an informal social gathering. Attendees order and pay individually. Progressives, Liberals, and our political friends from both Bristols and the surrounding area are welcome.
  • Breakfast with Democrats, Saturday, March21st, at 9:00 a.m. at the Golden Corral, Exit 7, in Bristol, VA. This is a social occasion without an agenda, and guests are welcome. Attendees order and pay individually. At breakfast we usually have informative and lively discussions of issues and current events.

Hope to see you in March!

###

Bristol Virginia Democratic Committee News and Notes for February

News: 

Join us at the 31st Annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Prayer Breakfast this Saturday, February 8, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. at the Holiday Inn and Convention Center, 3005 Linden Drive I-81 Exit 7, in Bristol, Virginia. Ticket prices are Adults $17.00, 12 and under $5.00. Tickets are available at the door or through John Wesley United Methodist Church. More information, including speakers, music, and dance, is on the attached flyer.

This will be the last newsletter before the Democratic Primary! The Bristol Virginia Democratic Committee has not endorsed a candidate in the March 3 Democratic Presidential Primary. We encourage Democrats to research the candidates, make their individual choices, and show up to vote. We have discussed the candidates at meetings, at the breakfast, and at other gatherings, and some in our active group have spoken in support of their favorite candidate, but we have not agreed on an endorsement.

All of us appreciate all of the good candidates who have come forward to advance democratic values in this important primary and the critical upcoming November election, and all of us have agreed that we will support the candidate nominated by the Democrats. I do not expect that the committee will issue an endorsement, but if we do, I will let you know.

We will meet three times before the Primary, on dates listed below in the Calendar for February. Members and guests are welcome to attend and share in discussions related to candidates and issues.

In-Person Absentee voting for the 2020 Democratic Presidential Primary began January 16th, 2020, and will close at 5:00 p.m. on February 29th.  If you want to vote before March 3, take advantage of this extended voting opportunity. Absentee voting is now open Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the office of the Director of Elections at City Hall, 300 Lee Street in Bristol, VA. The office will also be open for absentee voting on Saturday, February 29th, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Notes: 

Don’t forget our Bristol elections in 2020!

  • Democrats Presidential Primary March 3, 2020.
  • General Election May 5, 2020 (School Board and City Council)
  • June Primary (if needed)
  • General Election November 3, 2020 (Presidential election)

Check your registration, especially if you have not voted in the previous election. You can use the link to official information on all elections in Bristol to check your registration. The URL is https://www.bristolva.org/225/Elections. Our Director of Elections/Registrar keeps this resource updated so you can find information about upcoming elections. The website has links to downloadable forms and useful information, including your own personal voter registration status.

Calendar for February:

  • 31st Annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Prayer Breakfast this Saturday, February 8, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. at the Holiday Inn and Convention Center
  • Last Day to Register to vote in the primary, Monday, February 10, 2020 if you want to vote in the March 3 Democratic Presidential Primary. If you will be 18 years of age in time for the general election in November, and you register to vote in Virginia on or before February 10th, you can vote in the March 3 Primary.
  • Committee Meeting, Monday, February 10th, at 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Bristol Virginia Courthouse, 497 Cumberland St., in Bristol, VA. This is the regular Committee Meeting of the Bristol VA Democratic Committee. All individuals registered to vote in Bristol Virginia are encouraged to attend.
  • Breakfast with Democrats, Saturday, February 15th, at 9:00 a.m. at the Golden Corral, Exit 7, in Bristol, VA. This is a social occasion without an agenda, and guests are welcome. Attendees order and pay individually. At breakfast we usually have informative and lively discussions of issues and current events.
  • TN-VA State Line Social, Monday, February 17th, at around 5:00 p.m. at the State Line Bar and Grille, 644 E. State St., Bristol, TN, 37620. This is an informal social gathering. Attendees order and pay individually. Progressives, Liberals, and our political friends and cousins from both Bristols and the surrounding area are welcome.
  • Last Day to vote in-person absentee, Saturday, February 29th, 2020.
  • March 3, Democratic Presidential Primary. Put this date on your calendar and be sure to vote!

Hope to see you in February!

Bristol Virginia Democratic Committee News and Notes for January 2020

 

The Bristol Virginia Committee Reorganization for 2020-2021 had a small but faithful attendance, one or two new members along with returning members. We welcome into office and congratulate our new Chair, Rev. Jackie Nophlin, and wish her well as she assumes this role. Bernard Via returned as Vice Chair, Robert Bruce returned as Treasurer, and Kimberly Willis returned as Secretary. Welcome and congratulations to all of our 2020-2021 officers, and a warm welcome for new and returning members!

A word about membership: Local committees are composed of those who come, and committees are sustained by those who are passionate about issues and willing to work. We need and welcome new members to help with the work that needs to be done, and we hope that you will come out and lend your voice and your hands. Essential elements that you would bring to the committee as an active member include your viewpoint and your passion for the issues that are critical to you personally. For example, most of our members are over 50, and this means that we have fewer people who are starting families and raising children, struggling with student debt and other financial burdens, and uncertain of their security in the near term as well as later in retirement. We have memories and empathy, but not the active voice of young working people who are trying to get a foothold. Young families joining our committee would mean more hands for the work, but even more critically, it would mean more voices to bring political issues home to the personal experience of people. Those voices are the strength of democracy and of Democrats, that we hear and consider many viewpoints and work toward a plan that serves everyone.

Notes:

There are three elections in Bristol in 2020, maybe even four!

  • Democrats Presidential Primary March 3, 2020.
  • General Election May 5, 2020 (School Board and City Council)
  • June Primary (if needed)
  • General Election November 3, 2020 (Presidential election)

Here is a link to official information on all elections in Bristol. Keep this link at hand in this busy election year. I have it copied to my Notes on my phone. The URL is https://www.bristolva.org/225/Elections. Our Registrar keeps this resource updated for each election, and there you can find the dates of elections, sample ballots, dates of absentee voting, etc. The website has links to downloadable forms and useful information, including your own personal voter registration status.

Calendar for January:

  • Committee Meeting, Monday, January 13rd, at 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Bristol Virginia Courthouse, 497 Cumberland St., in Bristol, VA. This is the regular Committee Meeting of the Bristol VA Democratic Committee. Individuals registered to vote in Bristol Virginia are represented by the committee, and are encouraged to attend, to join the committee, to be involved in committee activities, to apply for delegate status at state and national conventions, and to help support our candidates.
  • Breakfast with Democrats, Saturday, January 18th, at 9:00 a.m. at the Golden Corral, Exit 7, in Bristol, VA. This is a social occasion without an agenda, and guests are welcome. Attendees order and pay individually. Join us for coffee or breakfast, and conversation with Democrats. At this event we have informative and lively discussions of issues and current events.
  • TN-VA State Line Social, Monday, January 20th, at around 5:00 p.m. at the State Line Bar and Grille, 644 E. State St., Bristol, TN, 37620. This is an informal social gathering. Attendees order and pay individually. Progressives, Liberals, and our political friends and cousins from both Bristols and the surrounding area are welcome.

Hope to see you in January!

Bristol Virginia Democratic News and Notes for December


It is December! 

I hope that you all had a great Thanksgiving and weekend, and are looking forward to Christmas and the New Year 2020, which is a presidential election year. It is time to get Democrats together to take charge of the Senate and the White House.

The first order of business for Democrats is to reorganize the local committees, induct new members, and elect officers for 2020-2021. We will do that on Monday, December 9th, at 6:00 p.m. at the Bristol Virginia Courthouse. If you are registered to vote in Bristol, Virginia, you are eligible for membership in the Bristol Virginia Democratic Committee.  You can download and print the Call and Participant Registration form, complete and sign the form, and bring it with you to the meeting. We need and welcome new members to help with the work that needs to be done this year, and we hope that you will come out and lend your voice and your hands, because this is how we will win.

Notes:

  • Reorganization is Monday, December 9th, at 6:00 p.m. at the Bristol Virginia Courthouse, 497 Cumberland Street in Bristol. The Call to Caucus, Rules, and Agenda have been posted on Bristolvademocrats.org, along with downloadable documents. The links to download appear first, followed by the text of the Call and the participant registration form. There is also an explanation of committee reorganization on the web page for folks who have not previously attended a membership/reorganization meeting. Persons in line to enter the meeting at 6:30 when the doors close will be admitted for registration.
  • For folks outside of Bristol, find your local committee and get involved. Committees elect delegates to convention, campaign for candidates, put signs out at the polling places, assist with candidate events, and help keep local headquarters offices open during the presidential election. We also work to promote local and state candidates who will be on the ballot in November.

Calendar:

  •  Committee Reorganization, Monday, December 9th, at 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Bristol Virginia Courthouse, 497 Cumberland St., in Bristol, VA. Doors will close promptly at 6:30. Democrats registered to vote in Bristol Virginia are represented by the committee, and are encouraged to attend, become involved in committee activities, and help support our candidates. Use the links above, or see the attached Rules, Agenda, and information sheet for Reorganization.
  • TN-VA State Line Social, Monday, December 16th, at around 5:00 p.m. at the State Line Bar and Grille, 644 E. State St., Bristol, TN, 37620. This is an informal meeting. Attendees order and pay individually. Progressives, Liberals, and our political friends and cousins from both Bristols and the surrounding area are welcome.
  • Breakfast with Democrats, Saturday, December 21st, at 9:00 a.m. at the Golden Corral, Exit 7, in Bristol, VA. Guests are welcome. Attendees order and pay individually. Join us for coffee or breakfast, and conversation with Democrats. At this event we have informative and lively discussions of issues and current events!

Hope to see you in December, and also hope to add new names to the Committee membership at Reorganization on the 9th!

Call to Caucus posted

I am hoping that registered Bristol Virginia voters who would like to work with us  will attend our Reorganizational Caucus on Monday, December 9th, at 6:00 p.m. at the Bristol Virginia Courthouse, 497 Cumberland St., in Bristol. The location is ADA accessible. Come out and join us as we form the new committee for 2020-2021.

You can find lots of information on the Call to Caucus tab, including downloadable copies of the rules, agenda, and participant registration form. Also, please follow us on Facebook, Bristol Virginia Democratic Committee.

 

News and notes for November

Hello, everyone!

It is November, and there is an election on Tuesday, November 5th! 

Notes:

  • Reorganization is coming up on Monday, December 9th, at 6:00 p.m. at the Courthouse. The Call to Caucus, Rules, and Agenda will be distributed at the November 13th meeting and posted on our web page. Use this link to our web page for an explanation of committee reorganization.
  • Election Tuesday November 5th! Polls will open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m. If you are in line at 7:00 p.m., stay in line, and you will be able to vote.
    • On the Bristol ballot for this election, we encourage you to come out and vote to re-elect Ms. Kelly Duffy as Clerk of Circuit Court, running as an Independent. She has been very effective with bringing in new technology, along with the routine management and ordering of the office. Use the sample ballot link to find the names of the candidates on the Bristol ballot.  Sample ballot for Bristol VA November 5th election
    • For folks outside of Bristol, wherever you are, be sure to go out and vote for Democrats. 
    • If you are in the 4th District, go and vote for Dr. Starla Kiser for Virginia House of Delegates. She will be a strong advocate for Southwest Virginia and a voice for Democrats in the House of Delegates. Note: Many Bristol voters have met Dr. Kiser, but she is not on the ballot in Bristol, which is in Virginia House District 5. (website https://www.kiserfordelegate.com )

Calendar:

    • Tuesday, November 5th – Election Day. Go and vote! We recommend a vote for Ms. Kelly Duffy for Clerk of the Circuit Court.
    • Committee Meeting, Wednesday, November 13th, at 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Bristol Virginia Courthouse, 497 Cumberland St., in Bristol, VA. Democrats registered to vote in Bristol Virginia are represented by the committee, and are encouraged to attend, become involved in committee activities, and help support our candidates. Reorganization Rules and Agenda will be distributed and discussed at the meeting, and will be posted on the web page after the meeting.
    • Breakfast with Democrats, Saturday, November 16th, at 9:00 a.m. at the Golden Corral, Exit 7, in Bristol, VA. Guests are welcome. Attendees order and pay individually. Join us for coffee or breakfast, and conversation with Democrats. This event is the one at which we have the most informative and lively discussions of issues!
    • TN-VA State Line Social, Monday, November 18th, at around 5:00 p.m. at the State Line Bar and Grille, 644 E. State St., Bristol, TN, 37620. This is an informal meeting. Attendees order and pay individually. Progressives, Liberals, and our political friends and cousins from both Bristols and the surrounding area are welcome.

Hope to see you in November!

News and Notes for October

October is here! Soon we will be trick or treating and getting that Thanksgiving turkey and the Christmas ham. Meanwhile, here are a couple of items for your attention, followed as usual by our regular Committee calendar and an invitation to join us.

News:

  •  Senator Tim Kaine will be in Southwest Virginia tomorrow, Saturday Oct. 5th at at 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Wytheville Meeting Center, 333 Community Blvd Wytheville, VA, to support an exciting candidate For Virginia House of Delegates District 4, Dr. Starla Kiser.  This event is sponsored by John and Linda DiYorio. Note from the invitation: “It’s time to take back the 9th and this fierce, educated, local woman becoming our next delegate is a big first step. She is smart and compassionate, and cares deeply about the people she serves. Dr. Starla Kiser graduated Harvard Medical School and earned a Master’s in Public Administration at the Harvard Kennedy School, then returned to her native Southwest Virginia to be of service.” Come to the event if you can, and if you cannot be present please visit Starla’s website https://www.kiserfordelegate.com follow her, and make a contribution to her campaign.
  • Thanks to David McGee, staff writer for the Bristol Herald Courier, for this post on Facebook. If you are concerned about jail overcrowding, please respond and plan to attend. Here is the post: “What questions would you ask regarding jail overcrowding in Bristol Virginia and Sullivan County? The BHC is currently soliciting questions from the public for our Critical Mass Town Hall on Wed. Oct. 9. The 7 p.m. event will be in the Sullivan County commission room and include a panel of six: Sullivan Sheriff Jeff Cassidy, Jail Administrator Lee Carswell, Mayor Richard Venable and Attorney General Barry Staubus, plus Bristol Virginia Sheriff David Maples and City Manager Randy Eads. You may submit your questions here, PM me or email me at dmcgee@bristolnews.com. Thanks in advance.” https://www.facebook.com/events/2096666957306553/

Notes:

  • The regular meeting of the BVDC for the second Tuesday has been rescheduled for the following Thursday, October 17th at the Bristol Virginia Courthouse. This meeting is special because we will be announcing plans for the reorganization and acceptance of new members to be held in December. Click here to see our post on reorganization.
  • If you are registering voters, be sure you have completed the online tutorial and are following the law relative to voter registration.
  • In-person absentee voting for the upcoming November 5th election is currently open at the Director of Elections/Voter Registration office at City Hall in Bristol Virginia. Open regular business hours Monday thru Friday,  and two Saturdays, October 26th and November 2nd.
  • Sample ballot for Bristol VA November 5th election.

Calendar:

  • Tim Kaine/Starla Kiser event in Wytheville, Saturday, October 5th – News item above.
  • Change of Date: Committee Meeting, Thursday, October 17th, at 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Bristol Virginia Courthouse, 497 Cumberland St., in Bristol, VA. Democrats registered to vote in Bristol Virginia are represented by the committee, and are encouraged to attend, become involved in committee activities, and help support our candidates. Reorganization announcement is on the agenda.
  • Breakfast with Democrats, Saturday, October 19th, at 9:00 a.m. at the Golden Corral, Exit 7 in Bristol, VA. Guests are welcome. Attendees order and pay individually. Join us for breakfast, coffee, and conversation!
  • TN-VA State Line Social, Monday, October 21st, at around 5:00 p.m. at the State Line Bar and Grille, 644 E. State St., Bristol, TN, 37620. This is an informal meeting. Attendees order and pay individually. Progressives, Liberals, and our political friends and cousins from both Bristols and the surrounding area are welcome.

Hope to see you in October!

News and Notes for September

Here we are in September, school has started, and we are beginning the election and holiday season! Come out and join us and help us elect Democrats. If you would like to work on Election Day as a campaigner or as an Officer of Election, be sure to let us know.

Calendar for September 2019:

  • Committee Meeting, Monday, September 9th, at 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Bristol Virginia Courthouse, 497 Cumberland St., in Bristol, VA. Democrats registered to vote in Bristol Virginia are encouraged to attend, become involved in committee activities, and help support our candidates.
  • Third Democratic Debate, September 12, 2019, in Houston, Texas, 8:00 to 11:00 p.m. Eastern time. You are invited to join the closed group Bristol VA Democratic Committee on Facebook and participate in the live discussion. Turn on your TV, find the group on Facebook, and join us. Kim Willis and Sarah Williams are discussion moderators.
  • TN-VA State Line Social, Monday, September 16th, at around 5:00 p.m. at the State Line Bar and Grille, 644 E. State St., Bristol, TN, 37620. Attendees order and pay individually. Progressives, Liberals, and our political friends and cousins from both Bristols and the surrounding area are welcome.
  • Breakfast with Democrats, Saturday, September 21st, at 9:00 a.m. at the Golden Corral, Exit 7 in Bristol, VA. Guests are welcome. Attendees order and pay individually. Join us for breakfast, coffee, and conversation!

News and notes: 

  • Some of our members were present for Mark Warner’s visit in Hiltons, VA., on Thursday August 29th. Senator Warner met with voters at the Crooked River Truffle Farm. Senator Warner talked about his work in the Senate, took questions from voters, and stayed a few minutes to shake hands and greet those who were present. It was great to see Senator Warner, and to know that he is listening to folks in our region and aware of what is going on here. Thank you to Senator Warner for an informative event, and for making time to visit with us.
  • The next Democratic Debate, and the first one in which the three front runners will be on the same stage together, will be September 12, 2019, 8:00 to 11:00 p.m. Eastern time, in Houston, TX. The debate will be one night only, with the 10 qualifying candidates. They are:
    • Joe Biden (Former Vice President) 
    • Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)
    • Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.)
    • Senator Kamala Harris (D-Calif.)
    • Mayor Pete Buttigieg (Mayor of South Bend, Ind.)
    • Andrew Yang (businessman and entrepreneur)
    • Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.)
    • Beto O’Rourke (Former Representative) 
    • Julian Castro (Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary)
    • Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.)
  • We are saddened by the passing of Charles Spence, friend of the committee and supporter who provided space for our HQ on Lee Highway for the 2016 presidential campaign. Charles passed away on Monday, August 26th. Condolences to his many family and friends.

Hope to see you in September! 

Reply to News and Notes at bvdccalendar@gmail.com

Reorganization in December

The Bristol Virginia Democratic Committee will caucus for reorganization this December, with date and time to be announced soon. Here are a few notes about reorganization:

  • Reorganization occurs every two years, in odd numbered years.
  • New and returning members are voted into membership for the following two years. Those who are currently members, along with registered voters in Bristol, may turn in applications for membership. The application has directory information (name, address, phone, contact information, and voting precinct) along with a statement that the applicant is a Democrat, is registered to vote in Bristol Virginia, and does not intend to support any candidate who is running against a Democrat in the upcoming election.
  • All who turn in an application are members of the Caucus. Caucus members have an allotted time to introduce themselves based on the number of applicants present. The Caucus members then vote to accept members for 2020-2021.
  • The Caucus is adjourned, and newly-elected committee members (returning and new) are called to order as the Bristol Virginia Democratic Committee, for the purpose of electing officers.
  • The committee decides whether to elect officers or to set a date in January for the election of officers.
  • The business being completed, the committee adjourns.

A Call to Caucus will be published on this web page explaining in greater detail how the caucus is conducted, how votes are taken, etc., and providing application forms.

Any registered voter in Bristol Virginia who is a Democrat is invited to attend the Caucus and apply for membership. Watch for the publication of the Call, and come out to the Caucus.