News

Shorter election season – Volunteer now!

i Aug 24th Comments Off on Shorter election season – Volunteer now! by

A shorter election season means we need to donate & volunteer for candidates now!

In the Vermont Primary, voters returned their mail-in ballots quickly!

  • 10% were returned within 2 days of the voter receiving the ballot
  • 25% were returned within 5 days of the voter receiving the ballot
  • 50% were returned within 12 days of the voter receiving the ballot
  • 75% were returned within 20 days of the voter receiving the ballot

Everyone in Vermont will automatically receive a mail-in ballot for the general election. And these mail-in ballots will be sent out in mid-September. So we need to be campaigning hard in September and October!

Tell your friends and family

Share this post with 10 of your friends and/or family members in Rutland County to make sure they got it. 

Share on social media

Are you on social media? Be sure to follow the candidates and the Rutland County Democrats:

  • Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rutlanddems/
  • Twitter @RutlandDemocrat
  • Instagram rutlanddemocrats
  • SnapChat – The Rutland County Democrats are also on SnapChat but they can’t figure out how to use it effectively. So if you or someone you know can help, send them our way.

Like and share posts. Write your own posts and tag the candidates and/or the Democrats and we’ll boost them!

Donate

Links to the candidates can be found at
https://rutland-democrats.org/candidate-resources/

Volunteer

Be on the lookout for details about doing a literature drop. We would be leaving literature at people’s doors, not knocking on the doors or having a conversation. We would be wearing masks and practicing social distancing. If we do this, we will be trying to hit the entire county by October 10th. So we need a lot of volunteers!

Write postcards, make phone calls, and/or put out lawn signs for your favorite Rutland County candidate. Or join a Rutland County candidate in holding signs and waving at passersby! (While wearing a mask and practicing social distancing, of course.) This is a great way to boost visibility and name recognition for your candidate.

For Rutland County candidates, see the list of Events in our calendar or contact the candidates directly through the contact information listed here:
https://rutland-democrats.org/candidate-resources/

Phonebanking with the Vermont Democratic Party has already begun! Right now, they’re focusing on initial outreach to voters about the issues that matter to them. There will be more opportunities to phonebank for state-wide candidates in the future. To find an event, go here:
https://www.vtdemocrats.org/events

Letters to the editor

Write an op ed or a letter to the editor supporting your favorite candidate. Or share your reasons for not voting for their opponent – help inform the public! (for an example, see https://www.rutlandherald.com/opinion/letters/nix-peterson/article_dc483eba-6020-5131-bb33-8c5c1a230a05.html)

  • Rutland Herald – https://www.rutlandherald.com/site/forms/letters
    • They’re now charging for letters to the editor in support of a candidate, and the letter is treated like an advertisement, and printed randomly throughout the paper rather than with the letters to the editor. Depending on length, the cost varies between $15 – $75. But we think that they’re still treating criticism of a candidate as a regular letter to the editor – printing it with the letters and not charging.
    • But it appears that the Rutland Herald is still treating letters that question a candidate’s qualifications as a regular letter to the editor. It looks like they’re being printed with the letters and I don’t believe that they’re charging.
  • Mountain Times https://www.mountaintimes.info/contact-us/
  • The Lakes Region Free Press  https://manchesternewspapers.com/contact-us/

Let us know if you need tips on what to write or want someone to proofread your letter. And if you’re not comfortable writing the letter yourself, but would be happy to put your name on a letter that someone else writes if the content strikes your fancy, we can help with that too!

The below tips for writing letters to the editor were derived from https://www.indivisibleguide.com/resource/write-letters-editor-really-get-attention/

WHY WRITE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

  • Newspaper editors see your letter, and editorial boards are important local institutions. They interview and endorse candidates during campaign season, and their opinions carry a lot of weight.
  • Seniors see your letter. Seniors are seen as one of the big audiences for letters to the editor. They also vote in big numbers, something Legislators are also very aware of.

WHAT IF YOU’RE NOT COMFORTABLE WRITING?

Ask party leadership if they have letters that have already been written that you can submit under your name. Many election committees have volunteers churning these letters out. They will probably have a letter that really speaks to you and seems perfect for submission under your name.

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR LETTER

  1. Find your local newspaper’s Letters to the Editor submission email on their website.
  2. Check the newspaper’s word limit, sometimes as low as 150-200 words.
  3. Focus on 1 topic. If you have 2 points or your letter gets long, write a second letter. Be clear and concise.
  4. Be yourself. You don’t need to talk like an academic or a policy expert. Remember, you’re a passionate constituent who other constituents might identify with—and that’s the most powerful thing you can be.
  5. Include a couple of points, a statistic and a personal note.
  6. Submit to smaller local papers, not just the nearest big city paper. You’ll have a better chance of getting published. And, it maximizes that feeling that the whole district is paying attention!
  7. Many newspapers require a phone number. It won’t be published. This is just to verify your identity.

GET ATTENTION

1. QUESTION A BAD CANDIDATE’S “BRAND.” Pull from the “Biography” page of the candidate’s website.

  • “Congresswoman Sara prides herself on being an independent voice that’s above the fray in Washington. But so far this year, she’s been a rubber stamp across the board…”  
  • “Congresswoman Sara ran for office as a fiscally-responsible conservative. That’s why it’s ironic that she’s considering voting for this bill, which  ___.”

2. KNOW THEIR RECORD. Research a candidate’s record on their website, in the news or in the legislature.

  • “Congresswoman Sara said that she would only vote for a bill that ___. Her record shows the opposite.”

3. CALL A BAD CANDIDATE OUT-OF-TOUCH WITH THE DISTRICT.

  • “Does Congresswoman Sara think that (residents) are all ____?  What she doesn’t seem to realize is that we are also __.  Her decision to ____ was extremely out-of-touch.”

4. SHOW THEM YOU HAVE A LONG MEMORY. Talk about an issue that’s not in the headlines.

  • “This Fourth of July, I am still shocked remembering Congresswoman Sara’s un-American comments on the Muslim ban, and I’m disappointed she has never apologized.”

5. PUT YOUR LETTER IN LOCAL TERMS… AND PUT A CANDIDATE ON THE SPOT.  

  • “My family has always gone to ____ Hospital. I’m really concerned about what would happen to it under the new bill Congresswoman Sara is considering.”
  • “With this spring’s flooding, (Town) is already feeling the effects of extreme weather. It’s amazing that Congresswoman Sara still raises any doubts about the science behind climate change.”

6. DEFY STEREOTYPES. Papers receive many letters from strong liberals/conservatives. Show you’re different.

  • “While I may not always agree with Congresswoman Sara, I have always admired her commitment to making herself accessible to constituents all around the district. That’s why I’m so disappointed that___.”
  • “I’ve supported candidates from both parties in the past. But Congresswoman Sara has really lost my respect with her steady shift towards ___.”

WHAT IF YOUR LETTER ISN’T PRINTED?

Don’t sweat it! It’s not personal. Newspapers get hundreds of submissions. They may print your next letter.

Your letter may help boost the signal on others’ letters even if it wasn’t published. When editors see a lot of letters coming in on a particular topic, they are more likely to print at least one on the topic.

You should still post the content of your letter on social media, tagging candidates you’re boosting. And email the content to RutlandCountyDemocratsVT@gmail.com to share on the Rutland County Democrats Facebook page.

Ultimately, letters to the editor are a long game. Keep trying. Your voice makes a difference.

Rutland Co is losing!

i Aug 24th Comments Off on Rutland Co is losing! by
Rutland County comes in 5th on completing the census!

Have friends & family taken the census yet?

We’re lagging far behind other counties in the state. And 45 other states (including Washington DC) have a higher rate of completing the census than Vermont.This will hurt Vermont and Rutland County!Take the census & send the link to your friends & family: https://2020census.gov/en.html?emci=08e03b8e-39de-ea11-8b03-00155d0394bb&emdi=fe130e10-95e0-ea11-8b03-00155d0394bb&ceid=4077357

Why does the census matter?

  • Census data determines how much federal funding we get for education, infrastructure, health care, housing assistance, and other more.
  • According to VPIRG, Vermont gets about $4,000 per resident in federal funding every year.

Time is running out to complete the 2020 Census. Be counted!

Take the census & send the link to your friends & family: https://2020census.gov/en.html?emci=08e03b8e-39de-ea11-8b03-00155d0394bb&emdi=fe130e10-95e0-ea11-8b03-00155d0394bb&ceid=4077357

Taking the census will also ensure that census-takers don’t have to risk their lives in a pandemic knocking on your door!

Anyone looking for a temporary job should consider applying to be a census taker!The work lasts until at least Sept. 30th and can be full or part-time. Vermont is paying $20/hour plus bonus pay for Sunday. And Vermont is trying to hire 1,000 more people! Help Vermont get counted. Here is the link to apply:
https://recruitment.2020census.gov/ats/careersite/census.aspx?site=1&c=census&fbclid=IwAR2kNUQPg1MZ7xUG7uNI1dxK9ztcG45NzjuZWZ8DigizugcxzsJox_bU

Thank you!

Impeachment rally

i Dec 17th Comments Off on Impeachment rally by

MoveOn is holding a peaceful demonstration to support impeachment Tuesday December 17th at 5:30 – 6:30 pm at Main Street Park, Rutland.

By choosing to attend this event, you are committing to participate non-violently and to work to de-escalate confrontations with others. You are also acknowledging that you are solely responsible for any injury or damage to your person or property resulting from or occurring in the course of your participating in the event. If you are going to bring a pet, please limit this to service pets only.

Town Organization Meetings

i Sep 14th Comments Off on Town Organization Meetings by

If your town isn’t on the list, please contact the county chair for your party and they’ll help you. It’s easy! Participating in town organization is an important way to increase your political voice. It gives you a say on leadership at the town, county and state-level. It also allows you to participate in the Vermont Democratic State Party Meetings to discuss the platform and in the election of delegates to the Democratic National Convention.

Rutland County Democrats Town Organization Meetings:

Brandon on Wednesday Sept 25 at 6 pm at the Stephen A. Douglas House

Castleton on Tuesday Sept 24 at 7 pm at the Castleton Fire Department

Chittenden Town on Thursday, Sept. 26 at 6:30 PM at 182 Mountain Top Road

Clarendon on Saturday Sept 21 at 6:30 PM at 1060 Teer Rd., West Rutland

Middletown Springs on Monday Sept 23 at 7 p.m. at the Middletown Springs Library

Mount Holly on Tuesday Sept 24 at 6 pm at the Mount Holly Town Library

Mt. Tabor on Tuesday 24 Sept at 7 pm at Mt. Tabor Town Hall, 522 Brooklyn Rd

Pawlet on Saturday Sept 14 at 9 am at Pawlet Town Clerk’s Office

Pittsford on Monday Sept. 23 at 7 pm at Maclure Library

Proctor on Monday Sept 23 at 5:30 at 89 Olympus Road

Rutland City on Tuesday Sept 24 at 6 pm at Rutland Free Library

Rutland Town on Tuesday Sept 24 at 6:30 pm at 200 Viewmont Drive

Shrewsbury on Tuesday Sept 24 at 6 pm at the Shrewsbury Free Library

Tinmouth on Friday Sept 20 at 4 pm at Tinmouth Library

Wallingford on Saturday Sept 21 at 10 am at Gilbert Hart Library

Wells on Tuesday Sept 24 at 7 pm at Wells Town Clerk’s Office

West Rutland Monday Sept 23 at 5:30 at Town Hall conference room

To organize a meeting for your town: email RutlandCountyDemocratsVT@gmail.com or call 802-353-0998

Town Organization

i Aug 26th Comments Off on Town Organization by

Huge thanks to the Rutland Area NAACP for putting together these videos explaining town organization – a crucial way to increase your political voice!

Why town organization matters: https://www.facebook.com/naacprutland/videos/365690074108979/

Nuts and bolts of the process: https://www.facebook.com/naacprutland/videos/2480761035300900/

For more information: https://www.vtdemocrats.org/reorg

To participate in town organization, email RutlandCountyDemocratsVT@gmail.com

We hope to see you at a town organization meeting and again
at the October county organization meeting!

Lights for Liberty

i Jul 12th Comments Off on Lights for Liberty by

Lights for Liberty: A Vigil to End Human Detention Camps, will bring thousands of Americans to detention camps across the country, into the streets and into their own front yards, to protest the inhumane conditions faced by refugees. More information can be found at http://www.lightsforliberty.org.

By choosing to attend this Event, you are committing to participate non-violently and to work to de-escalate confrontations with others. You are also acknowledging that you are solely responsible for any injury or damage to your person or property resulting from or occurring in the course of your participating in the Event. If you are going to bring a pet, please limit this to service pets only.

And please check out these suggestions for ways to get involved: Tips

Legislative wrap-up

i Jun 12th Comments Off on Legislative wrap-up by

Huge thanks to the legislature in passing legislation to support ethnic studies, fair and impartial policing, a plastic bag ban, safeguards for Obamacare, protection for pollinators, measures for clean water, negotiation rights for employees and more. For more details on the legislature’s work, see:

We hope that
you’ll reach out to your legislators to share your thoughts on their work.
Contact information: https://rutland-democrats.org/find-your-town/

How does it all work?

i Jun 8th Comments Off on How does it all work? by

Ever wondered about the relationship between the Vermont Democratic Party, legislators and voters? We made a short video about it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcFgqgp61o0&rel=0

Let us know what you think!

Organizing & Messaging

i May 14th Comments Off on Organizing & Messaging by

We’re building community, canvassing in every district and looking for 2020 candidates now! For more details, check out our Organizing Strategy.

You are the most important messenger! You are the front line when it comes to representing Democrats and sharing our values. For tips on messaging, check out our Messaging Guide.

The best messaging evokes Democratic frames. What’s a frame? It’s our vision of the world we all want to live in. For specific language tips, check out our Framing Guide.

Quick tips:

  • Never leave material inside mailboxes. Doing so breaks federal law.
  • Put your best foot forward. Always be professional, even when you’re not on someone’s doorstep. Having a loud phone call as you walk between doors can be off-putting.
  • Beware dogs. Shake fences/gates to see if there are any dogs. Have your foot ready at a screen door to block a dog that might leap out.
  • You can and should skip houses that give you a bad feeling. You won’t be judged. Safety first!
  • Go to the bathroom before you canvass and keep conversations on the porch. Never enter a residence even if the conversation is going well. Remember that you’re not just putting yourself at risk; we’re implicated in everything you do.
  • When you hear a ‘Not interested,’ cordially thank them for their time and go. We want to be known for our civility.
  • When you hear some interest, try to engage them further. We’re not just trying to make sure that people are on our side, we’re trying to recruit. Ask them if they’d be interested in becoming more involved. Ask if they have any questions for you. Ask them what first got them interested in this candidate/issue. If they have a question you can’t answer, give them contact information for the Rutland County Democrats and/or offer to take their information and have us follow up with an answer via email or phone.

Let us know what you think of all of this! We want to incorporate your feedback so that we’re being as effective as possible.

And thank you for everything you do to promote Democrats and the work that we do!

Legislative Update

i May 1st Comments Off on Legislative Update by

Our legislators need to hear from us to move forward with important legislation! If you’ve already reached out, call and/or email again. Ask friends and family to reach out. We can do this!

Talking points for current legislation:

Paid Family Medical Leave https://rutland-democrats.org/paid-family-medical-leave/
Raising the Minimum Wage https://rutland-democrats.org/s-23-increase-the-minimum-wage/
Investing in Childcare https://rutland-democrats.org/h-531-invest-in-childcare/
Expanding Broadband https://rutland-democrats.org/h-513-broadband-expansion-bill/
Weatherization for Low Income Families https://rutland-democrats.org/h-439-weatherization-for-low-income-vermonters
Protecting Women’s Reproductive Rights https://rutland-democrats.org/reproductive-rights-in-vt/
24-hour wait on gun sales https://rutland-democrats.org/s-169-24-hour-waiting-period-on-gun-sales/