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<p><strong>So much is happening right now.</strong> </p><p>Stay informed about the latest local, state, and national election 2026 news.</p>

<h2>Keep Up-to-Date on the Latest News</h2>

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<h2>The Local Democratic Org Platform</h2>

<h1>YCDC Committee Leadership</h1>

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<h2>YCDC Executive Committee</h2>

<p><strong>Richard Stewart </strong>Co-Chair<br><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:joe@localparty.org">yatesdems@gmail.com </a>| </p>

<p><strong>Val Brechko, </strong>Co-Chair<br></p>

<p><strong>Dixon Zorovich, </strong>Vice Chair/NYDC Representative<br></p>

<p><strong>Jan Barrett, </strong>Secretary<br></p>

<h5>Executive Committee</h5>

<p><strong>Susan Wolff, </strong>Treasurer<br></p>

<p><strong>Kathy McGrath, </strong>Deputy Treasurer<br></p>

<p><strong>Gail Pollard, </strong>Member-at-Large<strong> </strong><br></p>

<p><strong>Josh Prisco, </strong>Member-at-Large<strong> </strong><br></p>

<p><strong>Mark Warden,</strong> NYDC Representative</p>

<h5></h5>

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<p><strong>Meet your fellow Democrats, neighbors, and others, and help build our community of informed, empowered voters needed to defend our democracy.</strong></p>

<h2>Campaign and Community Events</h2>

Events

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<h4>Debate Watch Party</h4>

<p>Join your friends from the YCDC for a rousing night of issues, zingers, flubs, and crosstalk. It's the first (only?) presidential debate of the 2024 cycle between VP Kamala Harris and convicted felon Donald Trump.&nbsp; Bring your own wine, soft drinks, snacks and camaraderie to share. Of course, this event will be canceled if Trump chickens out.</p>

Debate Watch Party

<p>Meet Democratic candiadtes for the NY-24 Congressional Primary</p>

<h4>Candidate Meet & Greet</h4>

<p>Meet Democratic candidates for the NY-24 Congressional Primary</p><p>Alissa Ellman and Diana Kastenbaum</p>

Candidate Meet & Greet

<h4>YCDC Coffee Hour: All About the Penn Yan Community Garden</h4>

<p>Guest Cheryl Flynn will share the exciting new happenings at the nearby Penn Yan Community Garden, and how anyone can get involved.&nbsp; Then we’ll move the party to the garden itself, where Cheryl will provide a hands-on tour! Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn about a significant community resource.</p>

<p>YCDC Coffee Hour: All About the Penn Yan Community Garden</p>

<h4>YCDC Key Issues Series: Protecting Seneca Lake's Water Quality</h4>

<p>Bill Roege, president of the Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association, and will explore Seneca Lake and the organizations that address water quality issues for the benefit of the entire community and region.&nbsp;Learn more about the lake and larger watershed, the agencies and organizations protecting them, and how citizens can get involved in this effort. </p>

<p>YCDC Key Issues Series: Protecting Seneca Lake's Water Quality</p>

<h4>Brown Bag Lunch Conversation: Stop the Coup 2025</h4>

<p>Join us for a chat about the news of the day, exploring whatever current headlines have us buzzing. Bring a lunch and a curious mind for these engaging and respectful talks. This month we continue exploring the Right's frightening post-election plans by familiarizing ourselves with Project 2025. Join us to learn more about this insidious threat. </p>

<p>Brown Bag Lunch Conversation: Stop the Coup 2025</p>

<p>Congress and many state legislatures are focusing on the same thing: ensuring that only U.S. citizens can vote.</p><p>On Feb. 11, the U.S. House passed <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/7296" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act</a>, also known as the SAVE America Act. The bill would require voter registration applicants to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship and impose strict photo identification rules to vote in federal elections. Similar bills with proof of citizenship requirements passed out of the House in 2024 and 2025 but stalled in the Senate. The 2026 version is largely similar but adds requirements related to voting in person and by mail.</p>

Write a short blurb about an issue your campaign is highlighting. Try to keep the text a similar size between the various issue blurbs.

<h2>Voting Rights</h2>

<h4>Brown Bag Lunch Session: Beginner Zumba!</h4>

<p>invites you to participate in regular, casual conversations about the news of the day.&nbsp; Bring a lunch and a curious mind for these engaging talks!&nbsp; This month, we have a special treat: Ellen Hegarty will lead us through a beginner Zumba routine.&nbsp; Join us and learn how to incorporate this practice into your regular routine.</p>

<p>Brown Bag Lunch Session: Beginner Zumba!</p>

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), ranking member of the Senate Aging Committee, and Aging Committee Chairman Rick Scott (R-FL) announced committee passage of their Consumer Labeling for Enhanced API Reporting and Legitimate Accountability for Base Entity Listings (CLEAR LABELS) Act. This bill would add country of origin labeling requirements to the U.S.’ prescription drug supply chain.

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<h4>Gillibrand, Scott Applaud Senate Help Committee Passage Of Bipartisan CLEAR LABELS Act</h4>

<p>Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and U.S. Representative Jim Clyburn (D-SC-6) reintroduced bicameral legislation to modernize America’s voter registration system and protect voting rights. The <em>Voter Empowerment Act</em> (VEA) would expand voter registration and voting access by requiring states to make online voter registration available, establish automatic voter registration systems, permit same-day voter registration, and accept voter registration applications from citizens under the age of 18.</p>

<h4>Gillibrand, Clyburn Reintroduce Legislation To Protect Voting Rights</h4>

<h4>As Gas Prices Surge in Rochester-Finger Lakes, Schumer Demands an End</h4>

<p>Democratic immigration reform proposals in 2025-2026 focus on balancing border security with expanding legal pathways, including increasing employment-based visas, protecting "Dreamers" with paths to citizenship, and enhancing technology for processing. Key goals include reforming <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djobjtuq2Z4" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ICE operations</a>, addressing root causes of migration, and creating "startup visas" for entrepreneurs.</p>

<h2>Immigration Reform</h2>

<h4>Yates County Democratic Committee Monthly Meeting</h4>

<p>The Yates County Democratic Committee invites everyone interested in politics and civic engagement to join us for our monthly business meeting.&nbsp; The official meeting starts at 5:15; all are welcome to arrive early (5:00 p.m.) or stay late for social time.&nbsp; You may also join online via Zoom by accessing the link via Linktree here:<a href="https://linktr.ee/y" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://linktr.ee/y</a></p>

Yates County Democratic Committee Monthly Meeting

Senators Gillibrand And Ernst Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Eliminate Federal Pensions For Sex Offenders

<h4>Senators Gillibrand And Ernst Introduce Bipartisan Bill</h4>

<h4>Music &amp; Fundraiser</h4>

Your Voice Matters!
Special Guest: Alissa Ellman
Music by: Bethany Yarrow
Learn more at: www.ellmanforcongress.com

Music & Fundraiser

<p>Schumer Says Reassigning 9/11 Health Program Staff To ICE Is A Disgrace And Betrayal Of First Responders Who Put Their Lives On The Line Schumer Calls On Trump And Secretary Kennedy To Immediately Return All Reassigned Staff To The World Trade Center Health Program Schumer: 9/11 Survivors Are Dying Of Cancer And Fighting To Breathe — Stripping Their Care To Staff ICE Is Callous, Senseless, And Cruel NEW YORK, NY – U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer today called on President Trump and HHS Secretary...</p>

<h4>SCHUMER SOUNDS ALARM: AS TRUMP STRIPS STAFF FROM 9/11 HEALTH PROGRAM AND REASSIGNS THEM TO ICE...</h4>

<h4>Trivia Night: Pop Culture Politics</h4>

<p>It’s back by popular demand: YCDC’s political trivia night!&nbsp; This time we’re tackling the intersection of politics and pop culture.&nbsp;If the reality of election season is getting you down, recharge with this trip through the political surreality of your favorite fictional universes, from the MCU to the future of Star Trek and beyond.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Trivia Night: Pop Culture Politics</p>

<h4>Monthly Game Day!</h4>

<p>What’s the answer to building bridges in divided times?&nbsp; Learning to play together!&nbsp; All are invited to stop in to explore a variety of games we’ll have on hand, or to bring some of your own to share.&nbsp; Board games, card games, party games, role-playing games - we’re open to all.&nbsp; Stop in for a quick round, or spend the afternoon deep in strategy.&nbsp; </p>

<p>Monthly Game Day!</p>

<p>Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) held a press conference with several of her Senate Democratic colleagues to announce a new wave of War Powers Resolutions that can be used to force a vote to stop President Trump’s reckless and unconstitutional war in Iran, which is endangering American troops, jeopardizing national security, and raising costs for New York families. Specifically, Gillibrand’s resolution directs the president to remove the U.S. armed forces from hostilities with or against Iran unless military force is explicitly authorized by Congress.</p>

<h4>Gillibrand, Colleagues Introduce Legislation To End President Trump’s Reckless War In Iran</h4>

<h4>Yates County Democrats Monthly Meeting</h4>

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">The Yates County Democratic Committee invites everyone interested in politics and civic engagement to join us for our monthly business meeting.&nbsp; The official meeting starts at 5:15; all are welcome to arrive early (5:00 p.m.) or stay late for social time.&nbsp; You may also join via Zoom by accessing via our Linktree here: </span><a href="https://linktr.ee/ycdc24" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://linktr.ee/ycdc24</a>.</p>

Yates County Democrats Monthly Meeting

<h4>YCDC Key Issues Series: Macroeconomics in a Hurry</h4>

<p>Prof.Ryan Chahrour will discuss macroeconomics and its implications in our shared wellbeing.&nbsp; Understanding a little bit about this complex but important topic is a crucial part in making informed decisions about our choices in leadership. Inflation, recessions, the national debt and the deficit, tariffs, and more will be discussed.</p>

<h4>Brown Bag Lunch Conversation: Our Rights at Risk</h4>

<p> Our Rights at Risk series looks at the stories impacting the rights of women, immigrants, voters, and more, as well as the systems and institutions that impact them.&nbsp; Bring a lunch and a curious mind for these engaging talks!&nbsp; This month’s discussion will be about recent rulings around affirmative action policies. </p>

<p>Brown Bag Lunch Conversation: Our Rights at Risk</p>

<h4>Monthly Game Day</h4>

<p>What’s the answer to building bridges in divided times?&nbsp; Learning to play together!&nbsp; All are invited to stop in to explore a variety of games we’ll have on hand, or to bring some of your own to share.&nbsp; Board games, card games, party games, role-playing games - we’re open to all.&nbsp;Stop in for a quick round, or spend the afternoon deep in strategy. </p>

Monthly Game Day

<h4>YCDC Key Issues Series: Local Media Revisited</h4>

<p>This program focuses on the importance of local media.&nbsp; Several years ago, our community almost lost the&nbsp;Chronicle-Express, which would have contributed to the distressing national trend of declining news sources.&nbsp; We were fortunate that our paper was saved, but what is the state of local media today?&nbsp;</p>

YCDC Key Issues Series: Local Media Revisited

<h4>New Study: Families In New York Have Had To Spend $5,000+ More Because Of Trump</h4>

<h4>YCDC Key Issues Series: The Wall That Heals</h4>

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">We are proud to welcome Vietnam War and Marine Corps veteran Herbie Snyder to talk about the Wall That Heals, the traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial.&nbsp; Snyder will discuss why it’s important for people to learn about the Vietnam era and  share some of his personal experiences. He’ll also discuss the Wall’s stop in Penn Yan.</span></p>

YCDC Key Issues Series: The Wall That Heals

<h4>All About Newspaper Opinion Pages with John Christensen</h4>

<p>John Christensen, editor of our local Chronicle-Express newspapers, will talk about the role of the opinion pages and letters to the editor.&nbsp; These interactive and informative elements are key to any vibrant newspaper, especially in an election year, and can also be the source of controversy and humor!</p>

<p>All About Newspaper Opinion Pages with John Christensen</p>

<h4>USDA HAS AGREED TO PURCHASE $20 MILLION IN SURPLUS CONCORD GRAPE JUICE FOR FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS</h4>

<h4>Save the Date! YCDC Summer Picnic</h4>

<p>Plan to join your fellow Dems for a delicious chicken BBQ, camaraderie, and special guests. $25 per person in advance or payable the day of the picnic. Held rain or shine at Red Jacket Park at the Shelter from 2pm-5pm. All donations support Democratic candidates and YCDC initiatives!</p><p><strong>Please RSVP by August 12 to Jan Barrett at ajlhorton@gmail.com</strong></p>

<p>Save the Date! YCDC Summer Picnic</p>

<p>Our Rights at Risk series looks at the stories impacting the rights of women, immigrants, voters, and more, as well as the systems and institutions that impact them.&nbsp; Bring a lunch and a curious mind! <span style="color: var(--color-text)">This discussion will be about immigration and asylum rights, with guests from the Penn Yan Action Coalition and the New York Immigration Coalition.</span></p>

Brown Bag Lunch Conversation: Our Rights at Risk

https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/gillibrand-scott-applaud-senate-help-committee-passage-of-bipartisan-clear-labels-act/

Yates County Democratic Committee

Yates County Democrats NY

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