Marco Dems Hear from Sandy Parker

Our Daily Bread Food Pantry donation table is filled up once again!

Sandy Parker with Marco Dems members.

Sandy Parker speaks to an engaged audience.

Posted Wednesday, June 5, 2024 8:00 pm

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Sandy Parker educated 67 Democratic Women’s Club of Marco guests and members about getting ready to vote in the Primary Elections on August 20 during DWCMarco’s May meeting at Mackle Park.

She created and writes Sparkler’s Soapbox, which provides non-partisan, in-depth information about politics in Collier County. She is non-partisan and does not express a preference for any party or candidate. During her presentation, she provided detailed information about how the August primary works.

Sandy explained the effect of Florida’s closed primary system on the general election. Residents who register as No Party Affiliate, sometimes called “Independents,” are not able to vote in closed primaries.

Because 54% of Collier County residents are registered Republicans and 21% are registered Democrats, all party-based elected offices from Collier County, such as County Commissioners and state and U.S. house representatives, win the general election by winning the closed Republican primary election or because they had no opposition during the primary or general elections. The last time a registered Democrat won a general election in Collier County was in the 1980s.

Sandy also reviewed the various elected offices that will be included in the primary election.

She explained that the School Board is not subject to the closed primaries and is elected during the August election, not during the November general election. As a result, all voters, including No Party Affiliate voters, can vote for the School Board members in August. It is important for everyone to vote in August to have a voice in selecting the Collier County School Board.

Her key takeaways were:

1. Many elected offices will be decided in the August primaries because of the closed primary system and the number of Republicans compared to the number of Democrats in Collier County

2. Anyone registered as a “No Party Affiliate” or “NPA” cannot vote in the closed party primaries.

3. Confirm your party registration with the Supervisor of Elections at CollierVotes.org or by calling 239-252-8683 to ensure you can vote in the Democratic or Republican closed primary you want to vote in

4. Register to vote by mail.

She recommended the League of Women Voters Vote 411 and https://www.sparkers-soapbox.com websites for candidate information.

Sandy also responded to several questions and comments raised by a very interested and engaged audience.

Karen Tessel-Blum encouraged everyone to sign up for Sandy’s newsletter at https://www.sparkers-soapbox.com.

She reminded everyone that democracy is not a spectator sport – you must vote - and to register to Vote by Mail. Because of a 2023 Florida law, anyone who was registered to vote by mail in 2022 must re-register to vote by mail in the 2024 election. Contact the Supervisor of Elections at 239-252-VOTE (8683) or go to CollierVotes.gov for more information about voting by mail, your party registration, or other election questions.

DWCMarco continues to collect donations for Our Daily Bread Food Pantry during its in-person meetings. In May, over 180 pounds of soup, crackers, rice and pasta a-roni, macaroni and cheese, and other non-perishable foods were collected.

Karen also announced that DWCMarco collected $1,360 for Little Pink Houses, a program that provides free travel, housing, food, and recreation to 12 families dealing with breast cancer. The families arrived and started their one-week vacation on Marco Island on June 2.

DWC Marco’s monthly meetings are open to members and guests. Summer meetings will take place via Zoom.

The June 11 guest speaker is Anna Eskamani, the Florida representative from the 42nd district. Born and raised in Orlando, she’s the daughter of working-class immigrants who came to Florida from Iran in search of the American Dream.

For more information about meetings, membership, or supporting our charitable efforts, go to dwcmarco.org or contact us at info@dwcmarco.org.

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