Thanks to each and every one of you reading this.
We know in some way you made a difference in this election…
You voted. You talked to neighbors. You texted friends and family. You put up signs in your yard. You painted and dropped off signs across the county. You wrote postcards. You attended meetings and shared ideas. You supported our behind the scenes efforts. You asked others to help from other states. You donated. You hosted a canvass. You sang. You dressed up in costumes. You set up or cleaned up at an event. You helped with a local election. You ran for office. You had meaningful conversations with each other. You met new friends. You called voters.You knocked on doors. Maybe you even tried something new, and went outside of your comfort zone. And every little bit counted!
Because of you, Jefferson County moved the needle 10 points towards progress, 10 points closer to a better future.
So…THANK YOU!
We want to send extra gratitude to our local canvass hosts in Watertown, Lake Mills and Fort Atkinson, especially the Cafe Carpe – a place of business that opened their doors every Saturday and Sunday for the past month. Thanks Kitty, Bill and Satchel.
We also want to give a special shout out to those of you who talked to voters either at the door or via your phones.
We’ve been hosting canvasses in Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, Lake Mills and Watertown since February, building momentum. Dozens upon dozens of you – some who were trying it for the first time and others who are long time canvassers – knocked on doors and reminded voters to get to the polls, and convinced those who were not quite sure their vote mattered that their vote could make a difference in this race.
And a group of 18 volunteers in the past two weeks, texted lists of Strong Dems in every ward in Fort Atkinson and Jefferson AND the rural areas of Palmyra, Oakland, Hebron, Cold Spring, Sullivan, Aztalan, Concord, Farmington and the Town of Jefferson.
And now what?
This is just the beginning. Momentum is shifting. Opportunities are before us.
Your continued involvement is even more important now as we begin the deep work of taking this win and expanding our reach to include and engage citizens across the county. People who many not have fully understood what we are working so hard to accomplish – a better life for everyone, no matter what you’re background. Think about ways you can get involved in the next month…
- Bring a friend and attend one of this Saturday’s Hands Off Rallies (details below). Make signs, join in community and take action.
- We invite you to attend our monthly networking meeting the fourth Tuesday of each month.
- Stop by at our upcoming Coffee Meet Ups.
- Help us organizing Drinking Liberally gatherings across the county. Message us if you’d like to help.
- Attend a casual gathering of Jeff Dems at local events like Brew with a View.
- Lead a local Jeff Dem effort to positively impact Jefferson County like an Earth Day Garbage pick up or a Dance for Democracy dance party to raise money for the food pantry.
- Become a member and/or donate to the Jeff Dems. Your membership and donations help us fund on-going outreach activities, communications and election efforts.
- Keep calling your Congress representative weekly, or even daily as federal issues arise. Share your personal story. These calls matter and help keep them accountable to the people.
- Take up space! Attend a City Council, County Board and/or School Board meeting. Speak if you can or just be there. Let them know you are making sure they are accountable to the citizens of this county.
- Follow the Jeff Dems and other progressive groups and media on socials. Help the Jeff Dems expand our reach by sharing our posts and commenting on them.
- Start planning now for your campaign run next year for city council, school board, county board, or ? Let us know if you are running so we can help where we can.
- Share this website with a friend and ask them to get involved. Or better yet, bring a friend along the next time you join us for an event.
- Insert joy and fun into our gatherings. Share your ideas with us how to add a little extra zest into our activism. Or just BE THE FUN!
- Have an idea? Contact us and we’ll see if we can help make it happen or broadcast it to our membership.
The key is that we exist for being a conduit for Jefferson County citizens to make our communities and our country a better place to live. And we can only do that if each one of us finds a way and a place to take action – whatever it is – where we can on a regular basis.
Finally, we know that is in community that we will continue to find inspiration, solace, joy and solidarity to meet this moment in history. So let’s keep doing this good work, making good trouble, TOGETHER!
