"In America, the government cannot punish you for speaking your mind.” from the brief in Walt Disney Company's lawsuit against FL Gov. Ron DeSantis
Early Voting Starts Today!
Early voting for the Jax City Election starts today and runs through Sunday, May 14th. The Beaches Library is one of 19 early voting sites open 10 am - 6 pm daily. Election Day is May 16th. You'll find three great candidates to support on your Beaches ballot - including local favorite Donna Deegan who garnered the most votes for mayor in the initial round of
voting. Joyce Morgan, candidate for property appraiser, and Charles Garrison, seeking election for the city council at large Group 5 are also on the ballot at the Beaches. Jax Beach voters will also decide the fate of a proposal to increase the height limit on a parcel of downtown property. This election offers an opportunity to bring positive and much-needed change to the City of Jacksonville. Vote and urge your neighbors, friends and family to do the same! Find more information in the 2023 BAM City Election Guide.
Help Turn Out Voters! It's Time to Win
In the first city election, the Beaches led all districts in turnout - at 35%. We can do better! Remind your friends and neighbors that EVERYONE - including Beach residents - can vote in this election. We can also work to increase turnout in other areas of the city! Here's how you can help Get-Out-The-Vote in the closing two weeks:
Canvassing – Join the Duval Dems’ canvassing team for Community Canvasses over the next two weekends. The team will be knocking on the doors of DEM and NPA voters around the city on Saturdays from 11 am-12:30 pm and Sundays from 3:30 pm–5:00 pm. Find out where and register here.
Vote by Mail Ballot Chase & Pizza Party - Don't fear the phone! Join the Duval Dems May 4 from 5 - 6:30 pm at their headquarters (3120 Beach Blvd) to call Vote-by-Mail voters and encourage them to vote! Did we mention there will be pizza?! Register here.
Virtual Vote by Mail Ballot Chase - If you can't make it in person, join the Dems virtually May 11th 4:30 - 6 p.m. in a "zoom-room" and contact folks with a reminder to return their vote by mail ballots. Register here.
Voter outreach with DWIN - Join our partners at DWIN Wednesday May 3 and 10th at the Duval Dems headquarters (3120 Beach Blvd) as they reach out to voters throughout the city to remind them what's at stake in this election! You can participate virtually or in person. Register here.
We have yard signs! Email us if you need one. We can make a difference in the outcome of this election if we act now!
Mayoral Candidate Forum May be a Solo
A panel of local journalists is slated to quiz Jax mayoral candidates on Wednesday, May 3 at 7 p.m. in a televised debate hosted by TV4 and First Coast News. So far, only Donna
Deegan has agreed to participate. TV4 anchor Kent Justice will be joined by a panel of local journalists: Anthony Austin of First Coast News, Melissa Ross of WJCT 89.9 and Nate Monroe of the Florida Times Union. It looks like it will be an informative evening, even if Deegan's opponent, Daniel Davis, is a no-show. Tune in!
If you missed the mayoral debate between Deegan and Davis hosted last week by Beaches Watch, you can watch it here.
Postcard Crews from BAM, Partners GOTV!
Volunteers from BAM, Indivisible Mandarin and Jax NOW joined forces for a GOTV postcard
campaign targeting women who did not vote in the first round of city election balloting. The
groups sent out 4,000 postcards to these voters encouraging them to make history and vote in the May 16 election - which features two candidates who could make history as the first women elected as Jacksonville mayor and Duval County property appraiser. Thanks to all our hardworking volunteers!
Legislative Session Wraps Up May 5
This is about the best news to come out of the session since the opening gavel on March 7th. Lawmakers will finish the budget this week and go home. We'll have a summary of the damage in an upcoming issue, but in the meantime, save the date for Monday, May 15 and join Rep. Anna Eskamani via zoom or FB live stream for a review of the dismal session. Register here.
Looking for ways to get involved closer to home? Check out what's happening at the Beach!
Atlantic Beach
* Public input meetings will be held on proposed updates to the city's comprehensive plan and land development regulations on Wednesday, May 3 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. in the City Commission meeting room. Find proposed 2040 comp plan revisions here and proposed changes to land use regulations here. * The City of Atlantic Beach Environmental Stewardship Committee is hosting its third Environmental Stewardship Speaker & Salon Series event Thursday, May 4, 2023 6-8 pm in the AB Commission Chambers (800 Seminole Road). A panel of experts will discuss composting, recycling, and other ways to reduce solid waste in the city. This event is free and open to the public with the ability to attend in person or watch virtually via livestream. Register here.
Neptune Beach
Neptune Beach City Council meets tonight at 6 p.m. in the council chambers. The agenda includes three public hearings on proposed ordinances dealing with waste disposal from tree trimming & removal; smoking and vaping on the beach and other public areas; and, revisions to land use regulations. Discussion of the Neptune Beach Senior Activity Center is also on the agenda. Find the agenda and related material here.
Jacksonville Beach
Learn more about the proposed referendum increasing current height limits on selected property the city owns. You'll find it on the May 16th ballot if you are a resident of Jax Beach. Here are links to the forum on the measure hosted by Beaches Watch, as well as two groups opposing the change: Better Beach 32250 and Protect the Beach Life.
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