An Ambitious 58 County Strategy for California Democrats

We must work together on the 58-County Strategy laid out during last December’s Executive Board meeting to continue to build and train activists, increase Democratic voter registration, and expand our bench of Democratic candidates.

The CDP is here to meet these goals in all of California’s 58 counties. As always, we strive to provide you with the training and resources you need. We already provide a number of services, such as the Voter Registration Bounty Program; Treasurer’s Assistance; Collateral Materials; Opposition Research; Candidate Recruitment; Surrogate Coordination; Event Advertisement; Training Programs; and Communications support.

However, in order to better serve you and build stronger partnerships, we need to assess the current needs of our local parties. You play a vital role in the development and implementation of our programs. They must work for you, otherwise they are of no use. That is why I am asking that you work with my political staff in filling out the enclosed survey so that we can work together on programs that will allow us to focus our resources and expand our Party in 2007 and 2008.

Thank you for all your hard work. We can make this state even more Blue, but we can only do it by leading the way together.

Senator Art Torres (Ret.)

California Democrats – Leading the Way

58-County Strategy

Buoyed by the success of 2006, the California Democratic Party and California Democrats are leading the way in 2007 toward even greater success in 2008. On top of the many resources it currently provides to all counties as part of the 58-County Strategy –including our Voter Registration Bounty Program; Treasurer’s Assistance; Collateral
Material; Opposition Research; Candidate Recruitment; Surrogate Coordination; Event Advertisement; Training Programs; and Communications support – the CDP will be bolster efforts to create a stronger grassroots community. The CDP is also asking for input from the Democratic County Central Committees to determine which programs work best and their thoughts on how to expand our Party in 2007 and 2008.

VOTER REGISTRATION AND CONTACT

Voter Registration Bounty Program

• The CDP is dedicated to increasing the number of registered Democrats in California. For this reason, the CDP currently operates a bounty program for new registrations and vote by mail registrations. All county committees and clubs are eligible and will be awarded a specified amount per voter registration card. Preregistration of organizations wishing to participate is required.
• Participants in the Bounty Program will receive the 2007 Voter Registration Manual created by the CDP Voter Registration Committee and may request technical support in voter registration training and plan development.

Volunteer Organizing in Priority Areas (rural counties, CD 4, CD 11 and AD / SD targets)

• As part of the next step in the 58-County Strategy, the CDP will work with Democratic County Central Committees to develop and tailor plans to build a stronger grassroots community.
• The CDP will work with the county committees and clubs to determine lead organizers (volunteer and paid if possible) in each area.
• The CDP will team with county committees and clubs to build their lists of volunteers to conduct voter contact in targeted precincts.
• The CDP will partner with county committees and clubs to help build coalitions with community groups, leaders and elected officials to plan actions together (events, petition drives).

COLLATERAL MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGY TOOLS

Collateral Materials

• The CDP currently has free materials available for county committees and clubs, such as the “Why We Are Democrats” brochure, “Democrats Register Here” signs, for use in tabling at events, fair booths, etc.
• Days of Action Materials (e.g. doorhangers, palm cards) for county committees and clubs to use for canvass days and other organizing events.
• The CDP also has signage that can be loaned out for events.

Technology tools

• The CDP invites all county committees and clubs to submit blog items or pictures to be posted on the CDP website about local Democratic events and activities or best practices.

Many activists check the CDP website for events around the state.

• The CDP provides a statewide calendar for county committees and clubs to publicize their events.
• The CDP will provide an online event management tool to all county committees and clubs.
• The CDP is also in the process of developing an online volunteer management tool that will be piloted in targeted counties and then provided to all counties.
• Similar to the CDP Victory 2006! Campaign, CDP is working to expand the use of an online voter file application that is accessible to county committees.

FINANCE/TREASURER’S ASSISTANCE

• The CDP Accounting Department offers assistance to all county committees and clubs with questions on the FEC and FPPC reports they may be required to file.
• Since 2001, CDP provides an updated “Survival Guide for Democratic County
Committees and Clubs” that reviews campaign finance rules and regulations in
California.
• Since 1995, CDP holds regularly scheduled Treasurer’s training at CDP State Conventions, Executive Board Meetings and other locations.

LIABILITY INSURANCE COVERAGE

• For more than 15 years, CDP provides a “liability insurance program” for county committees and clubs to cover events, fair booths, fundraisers and other organizing activities.

COMMUNICATIONS

• The CDP currently sends press releases and insider memos to political reporters,
to our Party Leaders, county committees and to other interested Democrats for use as talking points.
• The CDP has conducted and will continue to provide media trainings for Democratic candidates and activists.
• The CDP will continue to provide kits for activists to use and tailor including
Letters to the Editor, talking points on issues, issue backgrounders and briefings, and newsletters for county committee and club publications.
• The CDP will continue to use online petitions to organize grassroots activists and to better determine their concerns.
• The Chairman has spoken at hundreds of county committees and clubs around the state to help organize and raise money for the grassroots community.

Additionally, the CDP helps the 58 counties secure surrogates, such as elected official, trainers, or representatives of the CDP as speakers for local Democratic events.

TRAINING

• CDP political staff conducts trainings to the county committees and clubs on a variety of topics – from voter contact to outreach to strategic planning.
• In 2007, the CDP is planning over 15 comprehensive campaign trainings throughout California that Democrats from all 58 counties can attend. Additionally in early 2008, the CDP will hold constituency based issue and trainings forums.
• Additional Treasurer’s training will be provided around California for support to county committees and clubs.

RESEARCH AND RECRUITMENT

• The CDP research team can assist in researching the public positions and statements of potential GOP opponents.
• CDP works in conjunction with legislative leaders and local party officials to identify and work with potential Democratic candidates.