Carroll County Democratic Central Committee
February Meeting, February 13, 2020
Minutes

Meeting was held at the Westminster Library and was called to order by Don West, Chair, at 6:32 pm.

Committee Members in Attendance
Don West, Mitch Edelman, Katherine Shaw, Frank Rammes, Charles Harrison, Raquel Walsh, Kate Sanner, Corynne Courpas, Anne Stoner, Tom Scanlan

Other Attendees
Thomas Tehare, Steve Bolen, Linda Bolen, Cliff Braid, Liz Braid, Karen Shultz

Guest Speaker
Katherine Berry, Election Director, Carroll County Board of Elections
	* MD is at the forefront of a lot of election issues
	* State Board of Elections, then local boards.  Local boards carry out what is decided at the top.
	* Non-partisan office.  Governed by an oversight board.  Rules implemented by General Assembly.
	* 5 different ballot styles- broken down by Congressional District (2), unaffiliated ballot (Board of Education candidates)
	* Working on implementing same-day registration
	* Processing voter registration, absentee ballot requests, training election judges
	* Registering voters- what are we able to do as a central committee?
	* Expectation is receive training as voter registration volunteer, must return applications to the election office ASAP or direct people to register online.  Cannot register multiple times with same IP, State Board blocks addresses after multiple attempts.  Applications change every year, make sure we're using updated applications.  Can also print from online. Voters can also mail in their own applications, if they prefer.
	* Poll security- Carroll County Commissioners not providing extra funds for security, can the BOE ensure security?  Yes, working with Sheriff's office on security.  Implementing an alternative.
	* Poll watchers?  Responsibilities, limitations.  Can go into precincts at 6:30, in polling room until 7:30, watch machines be turned on/off, watch voters get checked in at poll books.  Must stand off to the side, can't hover.  Can challenge voter's identity, or can just sit and watch process.  Can watch election judges, voters scanning ballots.  Must submit a form to election judges when you go in, and then take the form with you, so you can come back or go to another precinct.
		* Let Katherine know if we're sending a poll watcher, just to give election judges a head's up.
		* There's a manual on the State Board website, Katherine can facilitate a training
	* If identity is challenged, chief judge asks for ID.  If no ID or not them, vote provisional ballot, then must provide ID or their ballot is rejected.
	* Has anyone requested voters be purged?  Voter registers to vote, sent card.  Send ballot at election time.  If ballot is returned to sender, voter is made inactive.  Send two subsequent pieces of mail to confirm.  If voter doesn't reach out, they remain in inactive status for two election cycles.  If they show up to vote in that time, they are activated.  If they don't show up, they are cancelled.   Stop making voters inactive 90 days before election.  People are also cancelled at their own request.

Laura Morton
	* Candidate for Judge of the Circuit Court
	* Attorney in Westminster for 26 years
	* Made the short list sent to the Governor; Richard Titus appointed
	* One of three candidates
	* Non-partisan race

Skyler Keyfauver (via phone)
	* Skyler will remain our organizer- for about a month, the districts changed, but have now changed again.  Skyler now has Montgomery County as well.
	* Eva will likely be attending an upcoming meeting of ours, as well as Yvette.
	* Sent Greg some dates for next month for canvassing.
	* Greg is looking for space for a February canvass
	* Will send Eva and Yvette's contact information

Chair's Report
	* Approval of the agenda - motion by Don, 2nd by Frank, no objection
	* MDP Executive Committee meeting January 15
		* More information will be in future Treasurer's report
		* Member expelled from Eastern Shore for supporting someone who was not the Democratic nominee
		* All committees and leadership councils are under review, are they helping get Democrats elected?  Should be complete next month.
		* Budget committee being formed, if you're interested, submit name to Yvette or Eva Lewis
		* April 25- Democratic Drive 95- rally for Democrats up 95 corridor
		* Cheryl Landis filled Yvette's position on DNC
	* Special Executive Committee meeting last night
		* Re-appointment to State Board of Elections
		* Malcolm Fund
	* Eva Lewis- official vote to bring her back as Executive Director
	* School Board Election- non-partisan, what should our role be?  A few incumbents up for election again.  Election will become partisan.
	* English only ordinance - will stand for now
	* New group photo for website - not tonight, missing members
	* Don will not be attending March meeting, Mitch will lead

Secretary's Report
Motion to approve report by Charles, 2nd by Mitch; vote unanimous

Treasurer's Report
Current balance - $4,457.60.  Motion to approve report by Frank, 2nd by Raquel; vote unanimous
	* Ballpark for HQ- $4,000, usually 

Committee Reports
Table until March meeting

Old Business
	* Watch parties for debates - schedule for February 25, Greenmount Station
	* Next canvass - not scheduled yet
	* Hispanic and minority outreach - met with woman heading up leadership council for state party, working on some strategies
	* New resident outreach - January- 173 new residents in December, February- 123 new residents for January.  Sent close to 300 cards in total.

New Business
	* Commissioner Bouchat- haven't heard anything more
	* Survey Monkey - monthly fee for surveys- lowest subscription is $25/month
		* Can we check with state party to see if we can use their resources?  Mitch will reach out.
	* Canvassing in neighboring states - Allies for PA 2020, goal to knock 45,000 doors in South Central PA
		* Would like for us to extend to Adams County
		* MSEA will also be sending buses to PA, Tom will share additional information
	* Still need to keep our focus on Carroll County
	* CD-1 - contested race, three candidates
		* Have a CCDCC designee for each campaign, Mitch volunteered
		* Club will have a forum March 2 in Taneytown with all three candidates
		* CCDCC Will not host a forum, since the club is
	* Raskin event - Don reached out for a contribution, he is happy to donate, but would like to have an event, will likely need to be a weekday
		* Look for a public space for 40-50 people, Don will reach out to St. Paul's
		* Will need to be after the primary
	* Greg- hosting fundraiser for central committee, looking at 3rd or 4th weekend of May.
		* Timing might not be ideal, Memorial Day weekend and very close to Victory Dinner.  Work in progress.
	* FallFest - Save the Date for 2020, 9/25-27/20, we will participate
		* $50 for non-profit
	* Western MD Democratic PAC - 3/20-21/20 - Rocky Gap
		* We will be a table sponsor - $700, includes 8 tickets
		* Motion to sponsor by Mitch, 2nd by Corynne, vote unanimous
		* Rocky Gap does have a block reserved- call them directly
	* Victory Dinner - 5/14/20
		* Kate will create something on Facebook
		* Senator Bill Ferguson, President of MD Senate, Guest Speaker
	* Headquarters - still have some time, will bring Sally back in as we get closer
	* Candidate training - no report
	* Local elections - School Board, Judge of Circuit Court
		* Now is the time to start recruiting people for County Commissioner seats.  Frazier, Wantz, and Weaver are time-limited out.  Bouchat has said he will not run for re-election.  It's possible that Rothstein will not run again.  All five seats could be up.

Next meeting March 12, 6:30pm at Mt. Airy Library.

Meeting adjourned at 8:32 pm.


Respectfully submitted,
Raquel Walsh, Recording Secretary
CCDCC