PORT ANGELES — Tina Podlodowski, the chair of the Washington State Democratic Party, will give a “state of the party” address to Clallam County Democrats on Wednesday evening.
The address, free to members, costs $5 for nonmembers. Doors to the second-floor meeting room of The Landing mall, 115 E. Railroad Ave., open at 6:30 p.m. The event begins at 7 p.m.
Volunteer county party staffer Honeybee Burns, who recently heard Podlodowski speak, described the chair as approachable, lively and humorous — an “uplifting” quality in this day and age, Burns said.
“We have a pretty lively group here,” Burns said. “She probably wants to encourage us.”
During the talk, Podlodowski will address ideas for building a new Democratic majority in the state, according to a news release.
In April, Podlodowski asked Democrats via Facebook Live, “How can we work together to win in every race, in every place?”
Users rated others’ opinions by a percentage point to show low to high priority. The five highest-priority ideas included “put every race in play, extend outreach and resources to Eastern Washington”; “develop a strategy for combating gerrymandering”; “get rid of the caucus system”; “launch a summer of canvass”; and “organize collaborative planning town halls in targeted districts.”
View all the ideas at newblueplan.consider.it/?tab=Next%20Steps.
Burns named three objectives Democrats will need to accomplish: running good candidates, expanding voter turnout and registering people to vote. She also emphasized the need to increase voter turnout in county elections.
“People have this habit of voting for the president and then putting their feet up and watching football,” Burns said.
She said the Clallam County Democratic Party hopes Wednesday’s audience will exceed capacity in the meeting room at The Landing mall.
“We will be absolutely deliriously happy if we have standing room only,” she said.
At the talk, membership forms will be available for anyone who wishes to join the party. A yearly membership to the Clallam County Democratic Party costs $15. During the presidential election, membership surpassed 400, and last year, membership peaked at 300, Burns said.
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Reporter Sarah Sharp can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56650, or at ssharp@peninsuladailynews.com.