Delegate Nicole A. Williams Newsletter: Biden-Harris; Request your Ballot; and More
Dear Neighbors and Friends,
This week was the Democratic National Convention. As you know I have worked for years on behalf of the Democratic Party. However, I cannot think of any election that is more important than this upcoming election in November. In the past, policy has been really important to me. However, this year it is not just about policy, it is personal, very personal.
On Sunday, I learned of the passing of one of my dearest friends, Joseph L. Kitchen, Jr. Before he went missing he complained that he was not feeling well. While we are still waiting for a final determination, it is suspected that he died of complications from COVID-19. This awful disease has taken away one my closest friends. He was the political yin to my yang. I would not have ran for State Delegate if it wasn’t for Joseph encouraging me the entire time. He was my campaign manager the first time I ran for public office. And I supported him coming out the closet as a gay African-American man. Sometimes people would ask me if we were married or dating because we were so close. He was fighter in the Democratic Party and supported so many people over the years. This administration has refused to take appropriate steps to stop the spread of this virus. Their failed leadership has to go.
So every week I am making phone calls into Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Virginia to get Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Kamala Harris elected President and Vice President of the United States. I am going to call Maine to elect Sara Gideon. I am calling South Carolina to elect Jamie Harrison. I am going to do everything that I can to change this failed leadership in Washington. I hope you will join me in doing the work to restore the soul of our nation.
Nicole
Helping the Biden-Harris Ticket
Last week Vice President Joe Biden asked Senator Kamala Harris run as Vice President of the United States making her the first African-American Woman to on a major party ticket. I am so excited about the Democratic ticket and I am ready to get to work. We have 74 days until Election Day. Please join me tomorrow for the MD Dems Day of Action.
Once signed up you will receive a follow up informational email with instructions, an opportunity for live training 30 minutes before the shift, and the direct link to the calls. The email should arrive before your scheduled phone bank
If you can, please try to sign-up for phone banks ahead of time (at least the day before) in order to receive the informational email.
If you sign-up on the day of the phone bank, you have to contact the organizer on duty (see below) to receive the direct link to the calls. Please call us if you have questions.
Saturday, August 22nd
Shifts throughout the day
Sign Up Here:
Organizers on Shift Duty:
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Justin Butler
12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Vanessa Barksdale
3:30 PM - 8 PM
Justin Wilson
You can join us each week to make phone calls into battleground states. Visit the Maryland Democratic Party website to sign up and volunteer.
Voting in November
Whether you choose to vote by mail or in-person, make a plan before casting your ballot. Voting by mail is the easiest and safest way to exercise your right without putting your health at risk. If you plan to vote by mail in this election, request your mail-in ballot now to help ease the burden on our local election boards. Ballot request applications will be mailed to every registered Maryland voter beginning August 24, but applying for one now can help lighten the administrative load on local election boards this fall. Also, requesting a ballot ahead of time will ensure your ballot is sent to your current address, in case the address on file with the Board of Elections is outdated. If for some reason you do not receive a ballot, you can still request one by mail but the request must be received by the Board of Elections by October 20. Once your ballot arrives, you can drop your completed ballot at your local board of elections, a designated ballot drop-off box, in the mail using free postage or at an early voting center or polling place. Any ballot submitted by mail must be postmarked by Election Day. However, I strongly encourage you to drop off your ballot at a voting site or drop-off box instead of by mail. In-person voting locations will also be open in every county for Early Voting from October 26 through November 2 and on Election Day, November 3. Find your closest early voting location ahead of time and vote early to help alleviate long lines and large crowds on Election Day. If you are not registered to vote, the deadline is October 13 -- you can check your registration status here.
Distance Learning and the First Day of School
Prince George's County Public Schools begin on Monday, August 31 for students. All students are invited to attend a mock school day on Friday, August 28 to prepare for virtual schooling. Learn more. Although PGCPS will offer distance learning for the first semester, students must meet state immunization requirements within 20 calendar days of enrollment (Sept. 21). Starting next month, PGCPS will host free immunization clinics at multiple school sites to assist families with meeting immunization requirements. Immunizations will be offered by appointment only in order to adhere to social distancing guidelines; masks will be required. Temperatures will be taken upon arrival. We will also offer dental services and flu shots for your convenience. Comcast is partnering with Prince George’s County Public Schools to make sure students who need internet access can have internet access for distance learning. Comcast is also still offering Internet Essential to make it easier for low income families to connect to the internet. New Internet Essential customers will receive two free months of Internet service if they enroll before December 31st.
Unemployment Insurance
As you know the extra $600.00 per month that may people were receiving has ended. Maryland has applied and was granted from FEMA extra funding so that some Marylanders may begin to receive an extra $300.00 a week in benefits starting late September. The weekly supplement will be retroactive to the week ending August 1 If you or someone you know is continuing to have problems, please let my office know. Please use this Unemployment Insurance Tracker Form or contact my office directly for additional assistance. To directly access the BEACON One-Stop site to file an unemployment claim, visit https://beacon.labor.maryland.gov/claimant/
Police Reform and Accountability in Maryland Workgroup
The Police Reform and Accountability workgroup will meet again on Thursday, August 27, 2020 to receive a briefing from various law enforcement representatives. You can watch the meeting live on YouTube.
Prince George's County Free COVID-19 Testing Sites
The County Health Department has three free coronavirus testing sites open. You do not need insurance or an appointment. The sites are open Monday through Thursday, 10 am to 6 pm unless otherwise noted. Rollingcrest-Chillum Recreation Center 6120 Sargent Road, Chillum MD 20782 Cheverly Health Center (Closed but will reopen Monday, August 24th) 3003 Hospital Drive, Cheverly MD 20785 Wayne K. Curry Sports & Learning Center 8001 Sheriff Road, Landover MD 20785 D. Leonard Dyer Regional Health Center 9314 Piscataway Road, Clinton MD 20735 There are also test sites operated by the State such the Six Flags Amusement Park location and private entities such as some CVS locations. Click here to find a test site near you.
Food Distribution Sites and Resources
Food Pantry Locations In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, several food pantries have been setup throughout the county and in neighboring jurisdictions. Enter your zip code or address to search for the food pantry nearest you. SNAP Assistance SNAP is now approved in Maryland for online grocery purchases for delivery or pickup. Walmart, Amazon and ShopRight are among the participating retailers. Call Maryland Hunger Solutions at 866-821-5552 for assistance and questions related to SNAP applications. They can assist with completing and submitting SNAP applications over the phone, submit any changes to your active SNAP case, answer questions about your benefits, and direct you to additional food resources
County COVID-19 Resources
If you have any questions or concerns, please call the Prince George’s County Health Department Coronavirus hotline at (301) 883-6627 from 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM to receive updated information about the coronavirus disease. *Please contact 911 for medical emergencies only.
Child care centers are opening up throughout in the State. Click here if you are returning back to work and need child care.
To keep track of confirmed COVID-19 cases within the county please click here.
2020 Census Ends Soon
The Deadline to Complete the 2020 Census is September 30th. Please complete your census form TODAY. You can call 1-844-330-2020, no code needed to complete your form over the phone
Go to www.2020census.gov to fill out the census online. Let your friends know you've been counted--share this status on your social media: I am #ProudtobeCounted in PGC #pgcensus We need you to complete the 2020 Census TODAY.