Submitted by JoLene Bloom

At 10 a.m. at the Seneca Public Library’s east annex, the Nemaha County Democrats will meet for their March 18 meeting. The agenda will largely involve 2023 plans and anticipation of the elections for 2024. Any registered Democrat or individual interested in becoming Nemaha County registered Democrat is welcomed.

Old business will involve the outcomes of Congressional District No. 2 Democratic elections and the KDP reorganization at Washington Days in Topeka on Feb. 24-25. Jenna Repass, Johnson County and former Secretary of State candidate, is the new KDP State Chair. A new KDP Executive Director is expected to be named by the end of April.

Eli Woody, a Topeka educator, has announced his campaign for the US House, CD No. 2, to oppose Jake LaTurner or the Republican nominee. The Nemaha County Democrats plan to invite Eli Woody to a dinner in October of this year.

Chair JoLene Bloom will summarize two grants — one with the Power Lab and the other with the Kansas Democratic Caucus of County Chairs — that have been written to increase registered Democrats in Nemaha County as well as to identify 18 year olds, new residents, and unaffiliated voters who are interested in our Democratic and democratic positions and goals.

The grants will help in financing activities, including a public appearance of Governor Laura Kelly in June, following the close of the 2023 legislative session as well as events of candidates that announce for local, state, and federal positions in the next 18 months.

With the recent large increases for rental costs of the Nemaha County Community Building in Seneca, the absence of a working sound system, and concerns of security of the building during the rental of the facility, the County Democrats are seeking to rent a building that could seat 100 or more people, be handicap accessible, provide a kitchen for a catered meal and/or light refreshments, and have heating or air conditioning, as well as a working sound system. If a property owner or organization has such a site, please contact JoLene Bloom, County Democratic Chair at 785-336-364 with costs and information.

The local Democrats wish to encourage county individuals to consider running for city councils and boards of education by filing at the County Clerk’s office in Seneca or on-line at the Secretary of State’s site by noon, June 1. Individuals can register to vote easily by going to www.ksvotes.org.

The primary election, if needed, will occur Tuesday, Aug. 8, with the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 7. Registration to vote closes 21 days before each election and then reopens after the election. If an individual has moved or had a name change since the last election, a new application to register to vote is required before that 21 days passes to be eligible.

If you wish to join the Nemaha County Democrats, please plan to attend the Saturday, March 18, meeting in the Seneca Library Annex at Sixth and Main Streets for the 10 a.m. meeting. Interested individuals can also contact JoLene Bloom at 785-336-3641 or jolener@rainbowtel.net, or 412 North Ninth Street, Seneca, KS 66538-1636.