McCormick County Democratic Party
Meeting December 6, 2022
Cherry Brown asked if any of the elected officials wanted to speak to the MCDP. Kitty Butler thanked the MCDP for their support with her campaign (signs, flyers, etc.). Ben White thanked the MCDP and also offered that he thought the Democratic school board candidates lost due to the fact that GOP was successful in getting their message out to voters. Cherry added that she thought that Democrats either voted straight ticket party and therefore did not vote for school board candidates. Cherry also thought that Democrats also do not necessarily vote for other Democrats or that they are really not sure how or who to vote for.
● Christmas Parade
Cherry thanked Roseanne Napier-Riddick for her creative design of the float and for Byron Thompson who picked up the trailer and drove in the parade. Cherry thanked Mike Finney for being an excellent Grinch and for all who participated in the parade.
● Strategy to Address Future Election
Cherry Brown stated that she will be looking into opening an “Act Blue” account for McCormick County Democratic party, in order to receive donations to the party. Cherry will brief party on results at appropriate time.
Shared news that there are future plans for South Carolina to be the first state to vote in the Primary Election (vs. Iowa) as of 2024.
New Business:
● McCormick High School PTO Meetings
Cherry thanked participants and encouraged individuals to remain active with McCormick County PTO and to attend School Board, County Council meetings. Cherry is the Treasurer of the PTO and was very appreciative to the Democratic women who attended. Cherry also added that the MHS Guidance Counselor has confirmed that she received the Voter Registrations packets from Paula and will be giving students turning 18 years old.
● Augusta Symphony - Monday December 12th 6:30 p.m.
The Augusta Symphony will be performing at the MMS Gym the date and time
listed. Encouraged all to attend, Admissions is free.
● Pageant held on November 19th
Chair stated that the MHS Pageant was well attended and highly encourages
attendance in the future.
● Schedule of Sports activities in McCormick
Chair provided a schedule of winter sporting events for McCormick Public School to the MCDP. Participation and support were encouraged. Attending and participating in activities in the community allows for us to share who we are and what we do.
● Four Group Discussions on Ways to Promote the MCDP within the Community
Group 1:
Bob Stockton shared the following points of discussion within Group 1:
- Vo#ng instruc#ons were not legal
- SLV districts are now 1/3 of the McCormick popula#on
- Go back to old-fashioned door knocking
- Need more funding for MCDP to promote Democra#c Candidates -
Group 2:
Debbie Hasbrouck chaired the discussion and highlighted the following points of discussion:
- Bring back Home Economics (sewing) to the school
Meeting December 6, 2022
- ● Meeting called to order by Chairperson Cherry Brown at 6:00 p.m.
- ● Prayer given by Mr. Banks
- ● Cherry recognized elected and appointed individuals present: County
Officials, County Coroner, Ministers, and School Board Committee
members - ● Thanked Andrew Wardlaw for allowing Party use of the Funeral home.
Old Business:
Cherry Brown asked if any of the elected officials wanted to speak to the MCDP. Kitty Butler thanked the MCDP for their support with her campaign (signs, flyers, etc.). Ben White thanked the MCDP and also offered that he thought the Democratic school board candidates lost due to the fact that GOP was successful in getting their message out to voters. Cherry added that she thought that Democrats either voted straight ticket party and therefore did not vote for school board candidates. Cherry also thought that Democrats also do not necessarily vote for other Democrats or that they are really not sure how or who to vote for.
● Christmas Parade
Cherry thanked Roseanne Napier-Riddick for her creative design of the float and for Byron Thompson who picked up the trailer and drove in the parade. Cherry thanked Mike Finney for being an excellent Grinch and for all who participated in the parade.
● Strategy to Address Future Election
Cherry Brown stated that she will be looking into opening an “Act Blue” account for McCormick County Democratic party, in order to receive donations to the party. Cherry will brief party on results at appropriate time.
Shared news that there are future plans for South Carolina to be the first state to vote in the Primary Election (vs. Iowa) as of 2024.
New Business:
● McCormick High School PTO Meetings
Cherry thanked participants and encouraged individuals to remain active with McCormick County PTO and to attend School Board, County Council meetings. Cherry is the Treasurer of the PTO and was very appreciative to the Democratic women who attended. Cherry also added that the MHS Guidance Counselor has confirmed that she received the Voter Registrations packets from Paula and will be giving students turning 18 years old.
● Augusta Symphony - Monday December 12th 6:30 p.m.
The Augusta Symphony will be performing at the MMS Gym the date and time
listed. Encouraged all to attend, Admissions is free.
● Pageant held on November 19th
Chair stated that the MHS Pageant was well attended and highly encourages
attendance in the future.
● Schedule of Sports activities in McCormick
Chair provided a schedule of winter sporting events for McCormick Public School to the MCDP. Participation and support were encouraged. Attending and participating in activities in the community allows for us to share who we are and what we do.
● Four Group Discussions on Ways to Promote the MCDP within the Community
Group 1:
Bob Stockton shared the following points of discussion within Group 1:
- Vo#ng instruc#ons were not legal
- SLV districts are now 1/3 of the McCormick popula#on
- Go back to old-fashioned door knocking
- Need more funding for MCDP to promote Democra#c Candidates -
Group 2:
Debbie Hasbrouck chaired the discussion and highlighted the following points of discussion:
- Bring back Home Economics (sewing) to the school
- - Educating of finance to children
- - Hosting of Town Hall Meetings
- - Get young Democrats to meet with each other (reach out to Keldric Freeman
for help with this) - - Use social media to post videos of the MCDP activities/events
- - Have guidelines for better use of our funds
- - Get kids together for learning activities
- - Promote write-in candidates if no Democrats are on the ballot
- - Educating of how the voting process works and who to vote for
- - Host Democratic Candidates “Meet & Greet” functions such as a BBQ (this
was frequently done by GOP)
Group 3:
Jo Ann Ritchie shared the Groups discussion:
- - Need the MCDP to commit to having PMs or Poll Watchers at every poll
- - Have “Voter Educa#on” seminars to discuss how to vote, sample ballots and explain what voters are allowed to do. Have presenta#on be short and concise
- - Go door to door with ballots
- - Offer voter rides
- - Precinct organiza#on with the Round Tables
Group 4:
Mike Finney shared the Groups discussion:
- - Need well developed flyers put into mailboxes
- - Start earlier door-knocking and away from SLV
- - Find key young people in the community (PTC) to help the MCDP
- - Need assistance from our state SCDP with funding and how to encourage
Democrats to get out and VOTE
-
The next MCDP GENERAL MEETING WILL BE January 3rd @ 6:00 p.m. – Wardlaw Funeral Home – Hwy 378
Respectfully submitted, Renee Finney, Secretary
