Campaign Kickoff - Get Involved: Be Part of the Team!

We have finally reached a pivotal moment in the Riley County Democratic Party’s calendar. It’s a moment that the executive committee has been planning for over the last six months, at least, and it’s when we call on each of you to join us.

On May 2, we officially launch our Vote No campaign in opposition to SCR 1611, the constitutional amendment that will appear on the primary election ballot. The amendment would abolish the current merit-based process in use for selecting Kansas Supreme Court justices and replace it with competitive elections, for which the legislature gets to establish the rules. 

Kansas Republicans want the individuals who sit on our highest court to abandon their fidelity to the state constitution and instead pay allegiance to political parties and wealthy campaign contributors. Once they’ve successfully packed the court with a conservative majority, their goal is to bring forward cases that would result in the overturning of our basic rights.

We cannot let this happen.

Politics has become a taboo subject that even families and friends avoid. This is what can make campaigning seem daunting and uncomfortable–we’re asked to discuss politics with complete strangers.

But let’s put something into perspective: The last year and a half have been incredibly demoralizing. Every hour, our phones buzz with a notification of another unprecedented news story. We’re constantly reading about the avoidable hardships our state and federal governments are inflicting on people in our communities and across the globe. And yet, millions of us make the courageous decision to do something about it. 

You’ve stood on curbs with protest signs, called your federal delegation, and emailed your state legislators. Now I’m asking you to keep showing up, but differently. Protestors who engage with strangers would make great door knockers. Individuals who call Marshall’s office daily would transition smoothly into being phone bankers. Advocates who emailed their state legislators could write empowering postcard messages.

Admittedly, campaigning is not easy. It demands both structure and flexibility; patience and urgency; composure and passion; and time and energy. But these are short-term challenges that can accomplish generational outcomes. Isn’t protecting the integrity of the Kansas Supreme Court and our constitutional rights worth the temporary discomfort?

Further down are volunteer sign-up forms to join the Vote No campaign. I urge you to commit to just one shift and give it a try. We have roles for everybody because that’s who it’s going to take to win in August and again in November.

See you on the campaign trail.

  Best,

Kelm Lear

Chair

HQ Manager: https://form.jotform.com/260728905468165 

Responsibilities: An HQ Manager is a volunteer who supports campaign operations and helps other volunteers succeed. They handle day-to-day tasks like leading trainings and preparing volunteers to canvass, phone bank, write postcards, and more. HQ Managers also distribute yard signs, collect donations, recruit new volunteers, and keep the campaign running smoothly. Don’t worry, it is easier than it sounds. The county party has put together training manuals and seamless technological processes to make this role suitable for anyone.

Shift Length: 2+ hours

Campaign Volunteer: https://form.jotform.com/260728456297166 

Responsibilities: Campaign Volunteers can get involved in a variety of ways, such as making phone calls, writing postcards, knocking on doors, or helping assemble campaign materials.

Shift Length: 1+ hours