Concerned about incidents of vandalism directed at political signs of both parties, the leaders of the Northumberland County Republicans and Democrats issued a joint letter that was published in local newspapers on October 21, 2020.

Northumberland Echo

October 21, 2020

Opinion:  Letters to the Editor

Both Left and Right Denounce Vandalism

The chairpersons of both the Northumberland Democrats and Republicans are as one in denouncing the recent vandalism of our respective parties’ campaign signs.

Our democracy is built on many individual freedoms, first and foremost is freedom of speech.  The destruction of campaign material, including signs, is not only against the law, it is a violation of all citizens’ right to freedom of speech as guaranteed to us in the First Amendment of the Constitution.

The polarization of our political life has reached a point where civil discourse, dialog, and respect for others’ views are practically non-existent.

We should take a lesson from British Parliamentary procedures and always refer to the opposition as “the loyal opposition.”  We should never forget we are all Americans.

As the heads of the Northumberland Republicans and Northumberland Democrats, we call for an end to criminal vandalism and a return to civil discourse.

Signed:

• Marion Cockrell, Chairperson, Northumberland Republican Party
• Dr. Frank Kober, Chairperson, Northumberland Democratic Party

You can download a copy of the letter here:  NOCO Dems and Repub ltr.

The Rashid campaign released a 32-second television ad titled “It’s Time.” The ad is biographical, highlighting Mr. Rashid’s career as a human rights lawyer and upbringing as an immigrant to the United States.

Qasim Rashid is a human rights lawyer who has dedicated his life to supporting women who are survivors of domestic and sexual violence, and to serving children from vulnerable communities. Qasim is running to transform his advocacy into results for the working families of Virginia’s 1st District. He believes in service, leadership, and compassion through action. To learn more, please visit RashidForVA.com.

The Northumberland Democrats need your help. President Trump made it clear in the first Presidential Debates he is willing to do just about anything to disrupt the vote on November 3^rd. We have to make sure that does not happen.

We have always had volunteers at all our precincts in Northumberland County. Often, they have been subjected to verbal slurs and other forms of intimidation). Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric means we can, at minimum, expect more verbal harassment.

This year as never before, we need volunteers at the polls—two volunteers at each poll throughout the day during each two-hour shift. We should not be confrontational, but we do need witnesses to what is going on in each precinct. Each volunteer should have a cell phone and be prepared to take the license plate number of anyone engaging in voter intimidation or harassment.  

All volunteers will have the phone number of an election official. If there are any problems, election officials will be there as quickly as possible with a deputy sheriff if the situation calls for law enforcement. Throughout election day, election officials will be visiting each voting precinct on a rotating basis.

Please volunteer by calling Jim Long at 724-3240.

Our next membership meeting will be held outdoors:

• Thursday, September 17, 2020
• 6 PM
• The Kober residence, backyard at 1701 Browns Store Road.
• Attendance is limited to 60 individuals or couples.

Qasim Rashid, Democratic Congressional Candidate for CD 1, will speak.  

Stan Scott, former Democratic Nominee for State Senate, will also speak.

We are working with the Virginia Democratic Committee to obtain another speaker.  Among those invited are Senators Warner and Kaine, Attorney General Mark Herring, Congressmen Donald McEachin and Bobby Scott. 

We will let everyone know of any additional speakers.

The backyard meeting location is marked in sections, a minimum of six feet apart.  We ask that you bring a chair, a refreshment for yourself and a mask.  MASKS ARE REQUIRED.

 Follow the Northumberland County Democratic Committee on Facebook.

• Thursday, August 20, 2020
• 6 PM
• 1701 Browns Store Road, Heathsville, VA 22473.  

Please note the time change from our normally scheduled meeting time due to the meeting being outside. 

We ask the following things for your safety while attending this meeting:

• Must Wear A Mask,
• bring your own chair,
• confine yourself to your socially distanced designated area,
• bring your own refreshments.
• Bathroom will be open to all who attend.

• Northumberland County Democrat’s election activity,
• Qasim Rashad Democratic nominee for Congress will speak,
• Mark Warner has been invited, and may attend depending if the U. S. Senate is not in session. 

One of the greatest, bravest and kindest men to ever live passed away today: John Robert Lewis, the son of sharecroppers who survived a brutal beating by police during a landmark 1965 march in Selma, Alabama, to become a towering figure of the civil rights movement and a longtime US congressman, has died after a six-month battle with cancer. He was 80.

The best thing any of us can do to honor Lewis is to VOTE !!!!

The history of the right to vote in America is a history of conflict, of struggling for the right to vote.  Many people died trying to protect that right.   I was beaten, and jailed because I stood up for it.  For millions like me, the struggle for the right to vote is not mere history; it is experience.  We should not take a step backward with new poll taxes and voter ID laws and barriers to voting.  We must ensure every vote and every voter counts. 

The vote is the most powerful, non-violent tool we have in a democratic society.  We must not allow the power of the vote to be neutralized.  We must never go back. 

— John Lewis

Several folks in our area use a post office box to receive their mail, some do not even have a mailbox at their home.

This has led to some confusion with census documents because the Census Bureau DOES NOT send mail to PO boxes.

If you are concerned about not receiving mail about voting, you can modify your voter registration information to include a PO box as your mailing address.  The voter registration application REQUIRES you to enter a residence address, however, there also is a place down in the center of the form where you enter a PO box as you MAILING address.

Attached is a copy of the current Virginia voter registration form.  In the upper area where you enter name and address, this MUST be your residence address, NOT a PO box.  However, look down the form to Section 4 — check the second box and enter your PO box as your preferred mailing address.  Read the form carefully — it’s really quite simple.

VA-NVRA-1-Voter-Registration-Application-rev-4_1-(1)

You can also update your registration information on line at the State Board of Elections website:  https://www.elections.virginia.gov/

If you have any questions, contact your county General Registrar.

• Northumberland County:  (804) 580-4655
• Lancaster County:   (804) 462-5277
• Richmond County:  (804) 333-4772

Dear Northumberland County Democrat,

You are cordially invited to attend Tomorrow’s Membership Meeting conducted by ZOOM.  Below are the links to allow you into our meeting.

I thank you very much for your attendance in advanced.

Sincerely yours,

Frank Kober, Ed. D, Chair

Topic: NOCO DEM Membership

Time: Jul 16, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88963894690?pwd=U084VGhMYnRsZmJXa09nOVRiWlFyUT09

Meeting ID: 889 6389 4690

Password: 584249

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Meeting ID: 889 6389 4690

Password: 584249

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcQIAnflLN

June 23:

US Senate and US House of Representatives Primary Election

Governor Northam has used his statutory authority to postpone the June 9 primary election to June 23. It is possible, if the COVID-19 pandemic has not receded by June 23, the primary may be delayed further.

To summarize the June 23 primary:

• Vangie Williams
• Qashim Rashid 

Absentee Voting

In-person absentee voting

You can cast an absentee ballot in-person — if you will not be able to go to the polls on June 23, or, if you want to avoid crowds due to COVID-19 restrictions, you may vote in-person at the Northumberland County Voter Registrar’s office:

• 45 Back Street, Heathsville
• Small white building across from the Sonabank on Hwy 360 in Heathsville; big oak tree, identifying sign in front yard.
• Handicapped entrance in rear
• Back Street is the small street beside the building.
• Currently the building is closed to the public, but you can still vote absentee in person, register to vote, or check any other voting information.  Drive around to the back of the building, push the doorbell button on the back door, and the Registrar or and Assistant Registrar will come out to assist you.

November 3, 2020 general election

• President
• VP
• Senate
• House of Representatives

• District 2 (if you vote at St Stephens, this is you), and,
• District 3 (if you vote at Fairfields Methodist in Burgess, this is you).