Where: El Cerrito High School Cafeteria

10 AM to 5 PM: Voting Begins at 11 AM and ends at 4 PM

• 10 AM  Doors Open
• 11 AM Call to Order, Voting Begins, Speakers Begins

Program Presentations (Information Submitted by Paul Fadelli)

11AM  Begin Voting and Speakers.  Note actual speakers depends upon final filing and certification of those running.  Unopposed Democrats are offered the opportunity to speak at 6:30 on 8-28-18.

The 2018 ECDC endorsement process for the 2018 election will continue through the next two meetings scheduled in August — and possibly include the September meeting.  Members are encouraged to come hear participating candidates and vote for those they wish to be endorsed by ECDC.

Following are the DRAFT details of the ECDC endorsement events.  Because of filing deadlines this month, some of this information will have to be updated with candidates’ names after August 13 — based on which candidates ultimately decide to run for office:

This event encourages candidates to present their case for endorsement and to answer specific questions created by the ECDC Executive Board.   All local Democrats are welcome and encouraged to attend.  Only eligible ECDC members, however, will be able to vote at this event to endorse. for Other clubs will do their endorsement voting at their own meetings at a subsequent date.

As in times past, for each race (listed below), the event will open with short statements from each candidate, followed by a moderated Q&A and concluding with brief (1-2 minutes) closing remarks. The Club members will then vote to endorse according to our endorsement rules. If a candidate receives 60% of the vote (voting members who attend) then they will receive the Club’s endorsement.  If no candidate receives 60% of the vote, then there will be no endorsement.

All candidates are welcomed to attend the endorsement forums; however, the Club will only endorse Democrats. ECDC endorsements are made in each election cycle according to our bylaws. Only members in good standing for 45 days prior to the endorsement forum may vote, and the ECDC may only endorse Democrats in any race whether partisan or non-. A candidate must be selected on 60% of the members present to gain the club’s endorsement.

With California’s “top two” primary rule ECDC will in several cases have to decide between two Democratic finalists.  The Club will hear from candidates/representatives and endorse competitive candidates representing the following offices:

11:00 to 1:00

• Lieutenant Governor:
• Assembly District 15
• El Cerrito City Council

1:00 to 3:00

• WCCUSD Trustees
• West Contra Costa Healthcare
• AC Transit Director

3:00 to 4:00

• Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools
• Contra Costa College Trustee

Meeting will be held on June 26, 2018 at the Presbyterian Church at 545 Ashbury Ave, El Cerrito 94530. Meeting begins at 6:30 PM.

AGENDA FOR THE BUSINESS MEETING – JANET ABELSON

• 6:00 Doors Open:  Pizza available ($5)
• 6:30  Call to Order
• 6:30  Approval of Minutes of May 22, 2018 Meeting
• 6:35  Treasurer’s Report
• 6:40  Summary of E-Board Actions of June 4, 2018 – Janet Abelson
• 6:45  Committee Reports
• 6:55  4^th of July Volunteers – Champagne Brown
• 7:00  Deadline for Paying Membership Fee to vote on Endorsements – Greg Lyman/ Champagne Brown
• 7:05  Fall Precinct Walking Volunteers – Greg Lyman
• 7:10  Announcements

PROGRAM

The following are articles and speakers for the Program items

7:25 pm: Maria Alegria, Chair, Democratic Chair of Contra Costa County Democratic Party

Maria Alegria will review the results of the June 5^th CA Primary, focus on the Contra Costa contests and other key local races leading to the November General Election.

On the Contra Costa County website, Chair Alegria wrote:

“The Democratic Party of CCC is the voice of over 311,000 registered Democrats in Contra Costa County.  We support issues that protect the safety net for working families, children, immigrants, our seniors, LGBTQ community and those that have been disenfranchised by institutional racism and discrimination.  We speak out when we see injustice.  We are dedicated volunteers working with our allies to elect democrats, pass effective legislation and empower our democratic clubs and community to take action. Our job as Democrats requires a multi-faceted approach. At the national, state and local level, we must Resist Trump’s Executive Orders. Locally, we must Build our Party by registering voters, support grass-roots organizing efforts, empower our Democratic Clubs, and Get Out the Vote (GOTV). We must “Build the Bench” for 2018 & 2020.” 

Alegria is a former City Councilmember of Pinole and recently worked for Assemblyman Tony Thurmond as a district director before becoming chair of the county party.

7:55 pm: Kim Alexander, President and Founder, California Voter Foundation (CVF)

Alexander re-founded the nonprofit and nonpartisan CVF in 1994 “to advance the responsible use of technology in the democratic process and improve the voting process to better serve the needs and interests of voters.”  (CVF was originally founded in 1989 by California Secretary of State March Fong Eu).  CVF’s current priorities include:  equal treatment and opportunities for voters; more funding for election administration; and voting system security and meaningful auditing of ballots.

Kim Alexander was raised in Culver City.  She is a 1988 graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara, with degrees in political science and philosophy.  She is a fifth-generation Californian now residing in Sacramento with her husband.

8:25 Adjourn