1. Democratic
2. Green
3. Republican

That means in every race on the fall ballot, the Democratic candidates will be listed ahead of the Republican (and/or Green Party) candidates. Many campaign watchers believe the candidate listed first on the ballot garners a few extra percentage points due to ballot order. In a close race, that could mean the difference between victory and defeat!

In 2008, local Democrats will have excellent candidates, compelling issues, enthusiastic volunteers, energized voters, and now first-place on the ballot, too!

Laborer’s Hall
108 E. Anthony Dr., Urbana

$35 with advance Reservation/$40 at the Door

To reserve your seat now, e-mail Matthew Gladney at dinner@champaigncountydemocrats.org and tell us how many tickets you’d like reserved. Then either mail your check to Dinner Committee, Champaign County Democrats, P.O. Box 1455, Champaign, IL 61824; or use your credit card on-line at:

champaigncountydemocrats.org/help/#donate

Any questions? E-mail Matthew at dinner@champaigncountydemocrats.org .

In the meantime, if you notice anything wierd—in particular any spam links—please let us know.

[Update] I believe everything is back to normal now. If you see anything amiss, let us know. Thanks.

Voters in Texas, Ohio, Vermont, and Rhode Island are going to the polls tomorrow, and could determine our party’s presidential nominee in November. Will Obama consolidate his lead, and secure the nomination? Will Hillary stop his momentum and fight on to the convention? We’ll find out tomorrow night when the results come in from these four key states.

Gather with local Democrats at Rock’s to watch the results as they come in tomorrow, Tuesday March 4th, starting at 6:30pm. Rock’s is located in Champaign on Springfield Ave., near the railroad tracks, between First and Neil Street. Join us for good company, food & drink, and MSNBC as we watch the results come in from Dayton to Dallas!

This opening statement introduces the new party platform which has been under consideration for the past few months. After several hours of discussion, the Champaign County Democratic Central Committee achieved concensus on the party platform document at the last committee meeting, held on January 23rd. After making several amendments to the document, they recommended that the platform be presented for passage by the newly elected Central Committee at the Democratic County Convention scheduled for March 5th, 2008.

Historically, the Champaign County Democratic Party adopted a platform every two years at the convention until the 1990’s. With the decision to resurrect the process, Central Committee members were invited to serve on the Platform Committee responsible for drafting a new platform. The Platform Committee held several meetings in October and November and began their work with a review of our own platforms from the 1980’s, along with other county and state Democratic Party platforms. In that process, the committee identified key issue statement in health care and human services, education, economic opportunity, criminal justice and public safety, environment and land use, participatory government, Democratic Party principles and national priorities. The first draft of the document was presented at the November Central Committee meeting and those in attendance provided written input. The document was also sent to all current Central Committee members and incoming new Central Committee members via email to invite their feedback. The Platform Committee reviewed all input and presented an amended document at the January 23rd Central Committee meeting.

There was broad agreement on nearly all of the issues put forth on the final three-page document, which can be obtained as a PDF document, here. Thanks to everyone who participated in this process!

WHAT: Democratic Victory Party
WHERE: Rock’s (between campus and downtown Champaign, on Springfield Ave., between First Street and the railroad tracks)
WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 5, 8:00pm - ?

If you have any questions, e-mail Tony at tonyfabri@hotmail.com or call at 355-1693. Hope to see you there!

The new Dem HQ is located at 110 S. Neil Street in the heart of downtown Champaign.  It’s just south of the intersection of University Ave. & Neil St., across the street from Christie Clinic.

Volunteers put in countless hours of work to make this move possible, and now we want to show off our new digs!  Stop by for a few minutes on Saturday to see the new HQ, enjoy a snack, meet with other local Dems, and maybe pick up a yardsign or two in time for the Feb. 5th primary.

Hope to see you there!

All three candidates currently running in the February 5th primary are scheduled to attend.  These include:

• Alfred Ivy
• Janie Miller-Jones
• Julia Rietz

Ivy & Rietz are running against each other in the Democratic primary.  The winner will face Republican Miller-Jones in the November 4th general election.  Julia Rietz currently holds the office of State’s Attorney for Champaign County.

This candidate’s forum is sponsored by the University of Illinois Law School Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

Champaign County Democrats are gathering to watch the N.H. primary results come in, and you’re invited to join us!  Whichever Democrat you support for president, join local Dems for the fun & excitement of the first-in-the-nation primary!

WHERE:  Fiesta Cafe, 216 S. First St., Champaign

WHEN:  Tuesday, January 8th, 6pm - ??

We’ll be in the back room at Fiesta Cafe, watching results come in on their big screen TV, enjoying good company and great Mexican food & drinks!  No matter how it turns out, Democrats will be celebrating!  Hope to see you there!