Info for Volunteers, the Executive Committee, and Concerned Citizens
Action Items
Know Your Rights if ICE Visits Your Home: English, Spanish
MY COMMUNITY MEMBER WAS ARRESTED BY ICE, WHAT DO I DO?
https://nipnlg.org/sites/default/files/2025-03/2025_NIPNLG-Checklist.pdf
Sign up for Texas Freedom Network’s legislative alerts
Stay informed on how your advocacy and activism can be a part of protecting progressive values at your Capitol. https://act.tfn.org/a/lege-watch-signup
Legal Challenges to Trump Administration
justsecurity.org/107087/tracker-litigation-legal-challenges-trump-administration
The Digital Drumbeat
Rallying Americans behind messaging imperatives to help defeat right-wing disinformation on social media. Sign up here: https://www.digitaldrumbeat.com
For Digital Activists
Tens of thousands of people coming together online to protect democracy, one share at a time. https://demcast.com/team
Truth Brigade
Join Indivisible the second Wednesday of each month to learn where we are most vulnerable, and how we can heal disinformation-driven divisions and fears through persuasive communication. Visit the website for more information.
The SAVE Act
The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act aims to restrict noncitizen voting — which is exceptionally rare and already illegal. But it could risk disenfranchising U.S. citizens who don’t have proof of citizenship readily available.
https://www.axios.com/2025/02/11/save-act-what-to-know
State bills relating to abortion rights
https://legiscan.com/gaits/search?state=TX&keyword=abortion
Onboarding with Blue Action
An Introduction to Texas Blue Action, an interactive training session where you’ll learn the essentials of relational organizing—a proven strategy for building powerful, people-centered movements. Utilize the Reach app. Sign up for this bi-monthly review and support held on Mondays. https://mobilize.us/s/7LV6jO
Become a Texas Blue Action Block Captain
Have you attended a Blue Action introduction zoom? Have you grown your personal network using our organizing tool, Reach? Sign up to become a Block Captain, Feb 25 and March 25, 6:30pm Zoom, https://www.mobilize.us/blueactiondems/event/751998
Make 5 Calls – Tip sheet
5 Calls is the easiest and most effective way for U.S. constituents to make a political impact.
Call Cruz & Cornyn and simply say you want Musk removed, stopped, detained. Flood the phones now.
Write a letter to our U.S. Senators and our Representative to save the
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Two suggested addresses for each are listed below.
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a5Gx0DHHq8&t=233s
Write: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-congress-defend-the-cfpb-2
The Honorable John Cornyn
517 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
Salutation: Dear Senator Cornyn
The Honorable Ted Cruz
Russell Senate Office Bldg 404
Washington, DC 20510
Salutation: Dear Senator Cruz
The Honorable Pat Fallon
1118 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Salutation for letters: Dear Rep. Fallon
The Honorable John Cornyn
Sen. John Cornyn
5001 Spring Valley Road, Suite 1125 E
Dallas, TX 75244
The Honorable Ted Cruz
Lee Park Tower II, Suite 410
3626 North Hall Street
Dallas, TX 75219
The Honorable Pat Fallon
Sherman District Office
100 West Houston Street, Ste 14
Sherman, 75090
WARNING: The Texas Legislature is in session
Public School Funding vs “Education Savings Accounts” for private schools
5.6 million students are served by Texas public schools, yet under the leadership of Gov. Abbott, the Legislature has refused to provide new resources to schools since 2019. Despite the Legislature rejecting the most recent iteration of school vouchers in November 2023, the governor and his allies are once again pursuing the unpopular program. Every Texan’s analysis shows at a meager 5% take up of a new voucher program, public schools in Texas would face an estimated loss of $2.25 billion statewide – more than double the $1 billion already allocated for the program in the 2026-2027 base budget. Rather than focusing on the needs of Texas kids by increasing the basic allotment, funding the basic allotment, or fixing education funding, legislative leadership is committed to pursuing vouchers that take funding away from schools. Use this calculator to see how much vouchers will cost your school district if passed: DontDefundMySchool.com
UPDATE: Our calls killed this bill. Thank you!
The bill was passed by the House of Representatives on November 21, 2024, with a vote of 219-184, and was received in the Senate on December 2, 2024. CONGRESS.GOV
However, the Senate did not take any action on the bill before the 118th Congress adjourned on January 3, 2025. Consequently, the bill did not advance and would need to be reintroduced in the new Congress to be considered again.
This was a bill that would have given the President unprecedented power to target and shut down nonprofits and activist groups. Please sign this statement to our senators today. If this bill took effect, the Treasury Secretary would be able to strip tax-exempt status from any nonprofit they want to, without having to disclose any reasoning or evidence used to make their decision. So in the likely event that Trump installs a partisan loyalist in the Treasury Department, he could use this bill to retaliate against, and effectively shut down, any nonprofit that he doesn’t like – with virtually no oversight.
Read more about the bill. ACLU statement.
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Join your progressive organizations
We need to fight back every day and in every way!
DNC The Democratic National Committee will organize against destructive legislation and executive orders. And fight to win local and statewide races, take back Congress in the next election, and the White House in 2028.
DCCC Send a donation to support House Democrats, so we can flip the House and CRUSH the MAGA Majority.
Texas Democratic Party
GCDP
Democratic Women of GC
NAACP Grayson Co. Chapter
ACLU of Texas
CommonCause
MoveOn.org
Indivisible
Join this local group: Indivisible Sherman TX
People Power United, https://www.peoplepowerunited.org
At People Power United, we believe in progress and the strength of collective action. Together, we can push back against extremism and build a brighter future. Join us in the fight for Freedom over Fascism and help amplify the power of people to shape our democracy!
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Texas Tribune – Stay up-to-date on Texas News
Texas Freedom Network
Stay informed on how your advocacy and activism can be a part of protecting progressive values at your Capitol.
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Politics Girl
This video from Politics Girl sums up Musk’s intent.
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Know Your Rights
by LULAC, know what to do if confronted by immigration authorities.
https://lulac.org/know_your_rights
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Reliable News Sources, with Actions You Can Take
TexasTribune, DailyKos, and InequalityMedia.org/videos with Robert Reich.
Glenn Kirschner, Justice Matters, YouTube.com/@GlennKirschner2
ChopWoodCarryWaterDailyActions.substack.com/subscribe (free version)
County Law Library: https://www.co.grayson.tx.us/page/cjll.home
New Candidate Resources
A list of recommended resources for candidate training and guidance to help you run the strongest possible campaign for local office.
Use Ballot Ready to find out what offices are up for election for your address.
How to File for Office in Texas
Local office elections are on May 3, 2025.
NOTE: City and school elections are in May of each year, except for Sherman, with its city elections in November. Be sure to check the links for the latest information.
Denison- May 3, 2025
Denison will elect City Council Members to serve three year terms.
Denison City Council – up for election are Council Members to Single Member District 4, Place 4, and At Large, Place 6, each to serve a three-year term. The City Clerk’s office will receive completed and notarized applications at City Hall, 300 W Main Street, Denison, TX 75020. Details here.
Candidate filing period: Jan 15 – Feb 14
Sherman City Council– Nov 4, 2025
(filing for candidacy 7/19/2025 – 8/18/2025).
Municipal elections for the City of Sherman are held on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November of each year.
Election Info here. Specific offices here.
Links for each city in Grayson County
Local School Board Elections
Candidate filing period: Jan 15 – Feb 14
Bells ISD, Collinsville ISD, Gunter ISD, Howe ISD, Pottsboro ISD, Tom Bean ISD, Tioga ISD, Van Alstyne ISD, Whitesboro ISD, Whitewright ISD, S&S Consolidated ISD
Sherman
https://www.shermanisd.net/board-of-trustees/board-elections
The Board of Trustee election for Sherman ISD. Applications for a place on the ballot in a school district’s general election are available at the Sherman ISD Service Center, 2701 Loy Lake Road. The filing deadline is February 14, 2025.
Denison
https://www.denisonisd.net/school-board-elections. Persons interested in running for election to the Denison ISD School Board should contact the Denison ISD Business office at 903-462-7042 for information.
Links to all Grayson County school districts
https://www.k12academics.com/national-directories/school-district/Texas/Grayson
The Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) offers a free online training course designed by experienced school board members especially for people considering running for a school board position. This course explains what to expect when serving as a school board member.
ELECTIONS 2025 – Google docs with links, contributed by Joshua Perkins.
2025 Election Dates set by the Texas Secretary of State
Run for office!
https://www.texasdemocrats.org/run-for-office
Training
Democratic Natl Party events and trainings: TrainDemocrats.org.
Click here for Training Opportunities
for candidates, staff, and local volunteers
The Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) offers a free online course designed by experienced school board members especially for people considering running for a school board position.
Volunteer Deputy Registrar Training
Call the Grayson County Elections office for a brief training so that you can register people to vote: 903-893-8663. If you’re already certified, stop by the Elections Office at 115 Houston St., Sherman, to pick up your updated badge and certificate- no additional training necessary.
To become a Poll Worker, contact the Election Office, 903-893-8663 for information.
Project Lift
The Texas Democratic Party provides recognition and additional support for municipal, school board, and community college trustee candidates who identify as Democrats. While municipal offices are non-partisan, we are invested in getting folks elected to these positions who will govern in a way that promotes Democratic Party values today and will be our rising stars of tomorrow.
https://tinyurl.com/Project-LIFT-Google-doc
Volunteer to manage our booth at festivals.
Our most significant visible presence in the community is our representation at our county festivals. Find out more here.
We need precinct chairs and precinct volunteers.
Grayson County Democratic Party Precinct Chairs and the County Chair are elected for two year terms at the county primary in March of even numbered years.
Precinct Chair vacancies may be filled by appointment of the Chair during other times of the year upon receipt and approval of the application.
Sign the application form in front of a notary. Then submit the application to GCDP Chair Barb Rush. You may bring it to the monthly meeting. If appointed, you may take the oath at a monthly meeting.
Voting precinct maps- separated
Voting precinct map- County-wide, hi-res
Make voting easier.
Grayson County should open all polling locations during early voting. That would increase early voting locations from 6 to 22, as on election day, which would still leave almost half of all 41 precincts without election locations.
Election officials, both state and the local Election Board, should decide to open early voting on the weekend before the election. And extend Sunday hours.
State officials can be lobbied to pass legislation making voting-by-mail easier.
– Eliminate the requirement of filling in extra blanks. Just sign and return your ballot.
– Eliminate the age requirement (being over 65); ie, institute no-excuse vote-by-mail.
As Houston proved in 2020, cities with large urban areas can increase voting with drive-through voting locations and 24-hour voting. The state legislature would have to pass new laws allowing both these options again, since Republicans outlawed them in 2021, after witnessing the increased voter turnout in Houston.