Submit Your Events & Graphics
All Democrats are invited to submit event info and high resolution graphics to us by 8:00 PM Sunday each week. Please email your materials directly to info@westsidedems.org.
Primary Election Policy: Submitted events will be posted promptly; however, the West Side Democrats maintain strict neutrality and do not endorse any Democratic candidates prior to the primary election.
Join the WSD Brunch Bunch on Monday, May 25 at Weck’s in Riverside Plaza (6311 Riverside Plaza Lane NW) at 10:30 AM.
West Side Dems Calls to Action
- The June 2 Primary is only 12 days away! Do you know who you are voting for? Are you supporting any specific candidates? Do you know how you can help them win? In this issue: see lists of Democratic candidates running who are being challenged, candidates’ names and websites, key dates as neighborhood early voting is already happening, and how you can encourage your independent voting friends to vote in the primary.
- There is one Democrat running as a write-in candidate for the NM Public Education Department (PED). He is WSD member and chair of the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County — Jacob Trujillo. See how you can help him win the primary to be able to break the Republican majority on the PED – in Legislator & Candidate Update.
- A key local action you can take now is to tell Mayor Keller to VETO the Sidewalk Sleeping Ordinance.
- National actions you can take now focus on protecting voting rights, stopping unrestricted funding of ICE, curtailing expansion of US nuclear weapons, and using US Treasury funds to pay off the January 6 rioters.
- West Side Democrats of Bernalillo County (WSD) announces the June 20 meeting and a July meeting to plan our annual August picnic. Help plan a fun picnic! June 20, next WSD meeting. Location TBA.
- July 11, planning meeting for members to plan Annual August Picnic.
- First training session for new WSD Speakers Bureau is next Tuesday, May 26.
WSD Speakers Bureau is Off to a Good Start |
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WSD is creating a Speakers Bureau by training WSD members to be comfortable engaging with voters, both friendly and not. Twelve members have already signed up for the training, but you can still sign up (see below). The first session is next Tuesday, May 26, 4:00 to 5:30 pm at the Taylor Ranch Library. “The Speakers Bureau is one of the initiatives that came from our strategic planning earlier this year; strategic planning ideas that came directly from members. This is one of the ways WSD can offer programs to help you become more involved while learning new skills. I think we all could benefit from learning how to effectively communicate our Democratic beliefs with voters who may not agree with us. We will learn how to respect those who disagree with us while sharing facts they may not know,” said Dorothy Wilkinson, WSD Chair. “I hope that this will be a group of Joyful Warriors and that we will serve to take back this country and have fun doing it,” said training coordinator Lynn Sarkany, who is a relatively new WSD member. You must be a WSD member to participate. If you are not a member, sign up and pay your dues now. “Our goal is to educate the public on Democratic viewpoints in the greater Albuquerque area and beyond. Through this education, we hope to help the public realize that electing Democratic officials is in their best interest,” Sarkany said. “Each meeting will have training exercises that will help you to develop your speaking skills, whether you are a novice public speaker, or you have had years of experience in front of a microphone and podium. We will also be discussing pertinent speaking topics and how to make the most of your subject matter expertise in your speaking topics,” she explained in the email that went to those who have already signed up. Here are the dates of the first three training sessions. These sessions will be held at the Taylor Ranch Library. All will be held from 4:00 to 5:30 pm. Future sessions will try to accommodate Speakers Bureau trainees’ schedules. Tuesday, May 26 Thursday, June 11 Monday, June 29 Want to join the Speakers Bureau training? It’s not too late! Send your name and contact information to info@westsidedems.org. |
Encourage Mayor Keller to veto Sidewalk Sleeping Ordinance
Background:
- Mayor Keller faces calls to veto sidewalk ordinance - KOB.com 🔗 (link)
- Mayor Tim Keller weighs in on proposed ban to sit, sleep or lie on public sidewalks in Albuquerque 🔗 (link)
- Sign Change.org Petition: Mayor Keller Veto O-26-14 — Change.org 🔗 (link)
Tell your independent voting friends that they can and should vote in the June 2 primary. See details in Key Election Info below.
- Tell your representatives to vote no on any new money for ice and Border Patrol without major reforms. Congress is expected to vote on this issue this week. 🔗 (link)
- Sign Common Cause Petition to stop Trump from using US Treasury money to pay out to January 6 protestors. Add your name here .
- Tell Congress: Stop Dangerous Plans to Expand Nuclear Weapons Complex. Sign petition by the y Union of Concerned Scientists.
- Become a Democracy Defender to protect voting rights with the ACLU. Defend Democracy with ACLU People Power! | PeoplePower.org
Legislator & Candidate Updates
Get involved with our Congressional and US Senate Candidates
Democratic Candidates for Governor
Democratic Candidates for Lieutenant Governor
Local Actions You Can Take Now
Ratepayer Rebellion Rocked!
Excellent news coverage is rolling in from the Ratepayer Rebellion on Thursday, April 30, with stories published in the Santa Fe New Mexican, SourceNM, and the Albuquerque Journal. Thank you to everyone who showed up—more than 100 people gathered, creating a visible presence that prompted PNM to close its building and shift employees to remote work for the day. (From Indivisible ABQ)
Weekly Rally in Torrance County every Saturday
Weekly protest in Moriarty to protest ICE detention facility in Torrance County. Saturdays, 12:00 to 1:00 pm, at Moriarty City Park (East Side), corner Route 66 and Highway 41 (less an an hour drive east of ABQ). More info here.
Weekly gathering Friday mornings to make creative postcards for newly registered voters. Use the QR code at left and sign-up for location, updates and reminders.
NM ACLU – Protect Yourself When Protesting – Know Your Rights when ICE comes to call or when protesting. HERE is a list of ways to protect yourself, as discussed at the WSD April meeting.
Click on NMVote.org to find:
- Where to register to vote
- My registration & Election Info
- Voting locations
- Request an absentee ballot
- Voting dates
Key Dates to Know
When to vote, where to vote
- May 5 Early voting started at County Clerk Offices
- May 5 was the deadline for voter registration by mail, by voter registration agent, and online. (Note: in-person, same-day voter registration is available throughout early voting and on election day.)
- May 16 More early voting sites open
- May 19 Last day to request mail-in vote ballot
- May 30 Early voting ends at all locations
- June 2 Election Day – polls open 7 am – 7 pm
- June 2 All mailed ballots must be returned by 7 pm
NM PRIMARY ELECTION INFO
This section of our weekly newsletter provides information about our upcoming June 2 primary election. Two key voting dates occur next Tuesday: early voting starts and it is the deadline for not-in-person voter registration. See details below.
NEW! NM Semi-Open Primaries are Making History
Learn why and how this affects all voters.
(This is one article in a series of articles that explains the significance and history of this landmark voting initiative that will occur at this June 2 primary election.)
The June 2 NM Primary will be the first time NM voters will be voting in a semi-open primary. This opens the primary election process to previously disenfranchised voters.
Check Out New Video
NM Voters First has created a new 30-second video that explains our new primary voting process. Watch it! Share it here with friends! Learn more at their website here.
This graphic explains the new semi-open primary process in New Mexico. Click here to see who is running for which office. After you understand it, please share this information with other voters.
Local Actions You Can Take Now
Keep Up the Momentum
After No Kings Day – Actions you can take (join local advocacy groups, run for office, join the Economic Boycott, become a voter registrar or poll watcher, contribute to Mutual Aid in ABQ. Also listen to Stacey Abrams’ inspiring 10-step plan of action to retake our democracy (from her speech at the ABQ No Kings Protest III).
Meet & Greet to support the re-election of Damian Lara May 23
Click here to read Damian’s Op Ed in the ABQ Journal.
or go HERE to join or renew your membership online.
Ongoing Protests
Local Resources
Democratic Party of NM – Participate in the DPNM No Talk without Action volunteer teams.
Print your own NO ICE HERE sign – No ICE Access.pdf (Google Drive) (Courtesy of Indivisible ABQ)
Weekly Demonstrations
Saturdays | 11am – 12pm
RESIST TYRANNY SATURDAY
Albuquerque | Corner of Montgomery & Juan Tabo
Saturdays | 10am – 11:30am
RESIST TYRANNY SATURDAY
Rio Rancho | Corner of U.S. 550 & NM 528
Info and RSVP here →
Saturdays | 2pm – 3pm
FREE MARTIAL ARTS SELF-DEFENSE TRAINING
(for LGBTQ+ adults and allies)
Albuquerque | Morningside Park
Info and RSVP here →
Sundays | 10:30am – 11:30am
SOLIDARITY SUNDAY
Tijeras | East Mountain Public Library
IRAN WAR LIVE UPDATES
TAKE ACTION
Tell Congress: No illegal war with Iran.
News from Candidates / Calls to Action
New Sound System Arrives
At last—we have our new sound system.
We’ve been hearing about it for about a year – the limitations of the undersized current system, Executive Committee approval of an initial $1,000 to pay for a new one, the early attempts of small-change fundraising, updated needs analysis and cost, more serious fundraising, and some major donations.
“I’m thrilled we have the new sound system,” said Paul Evans, WSD volunteer A/V coordinator who did the needs analysis for the new system. “It will help WSD to continue our fight for our values on the West Side of town – at venues large and small. For small events, we can use the small speaker we already had. For big events, we can use the new, larger speakers.” He also recommended that WSD buy a cart to haul the system and bags to protect the speakers.
It all adds up to $2392.45 with two large speakers and two beefy microphones that will incorporate some components of our old system. Here’s how we paid for it:
- We budgeted $1,000 from our budget.
- We collected $1,100 from the DPBC and some area legislators, and we have $300 promised from area legislators. We will collect the remainder now that the 2026 Legislative Session has ended.
Audio/Visual Volunteers Needed Now
Paul Evans with the new sound system.
“Now that we have a larger sound system, we need help to run it... We also need someone to help me with the visual side by editing video footage,” Evans explained.
Contact Paul Evans at info@westsidedem.org to apply. Your “pay” is our gratitude and helping elect candidates who reflect our values!
Audio Technician
- Set up, operate, and troubleshoot sound equipment.
- Handle and transport heavy equipment.
- Team player supporting WSD’s mission.
Video Technician
- Edit short-form video for social media.
- Collaborate on footage needs and deadlines.
- Support WSD's digital messaging goals.
Paul Evans — Our A/V Mastermind
How did WSD lure an A/V expert with 40 years of experience?
The answer is simple: Recruit an expert who aligns with your values.
“I feel our democracy is at stake. Each of us needs to step up. We hold the keys. If we don’t do it, nobody will.”
5 Things About Paul Evans
- Roots: Raised in St. Paul, MN. He is deeply concerned about civil rights and believes we must protect our community locally.
- NM Journey: Came to NM in 1984. Amassed ~40 years in professional TV news and government videography.
- History Maker: Covered state government under four governors and visits from the Dalai Lama and various Presidents.
- Producer: Produced "Wild New Mexico" and the popular "Dance! Dance! Dance!" teen program.
- At the Meeting: See him behind the camera at WSD meetings and be sure to thank him for all he does!
Our Mission
To Serve the 88,000 Democrats
Living on the West Side
Democrats Care!
We encourage and support candidates who will work for the good of everyone in our community. We believe in a government that is truly “of the people, by the people, and for the people”…not just for corporations, Wall Street, or the rich.
United By A Common Goal…
Social justice and human rights are more important than corporate profits. We seek to improve the quality of life for all of our residents through grass-roots support of candidates who listen and work to implement liberal programs and legislation.
Get Involved…
Your candidates can’t win without your help. Canvassing, phone banking, word-of-mouth, volunteering, and donating are all ways to work together to achieve our common goals.