Meeting Minutes – May 19, 2020

by | Jun 23, 2020 | USC Democratic Committee

1. Welcome

   2. Approval of April and May’s Minutes (see below)

Zoom Meeting – May 19, 2020

Mary McIntyre welcomed Zoom participants to the on-line meeting at 7:03pm.
Mary stated that approval of prior minutes will be at the next meeting.

Peg Babnik read the treasurer’s report. The Committee had a balance of $3,807.44, with two
check deductions, leaving a balance of $3,179.76.
Mary learned that three council members will be on the committee (Rich Fitzgerald, Sam
DeMarco, and Bethany Hallam) along with three people that work for the city.
Elections
Mary McIntyre spoke about the tracker system for mail-in ballots. It begins with the date the
application was received and then the date the ballot was sent. The sent-out ballot date is really
not the correct ballot date. There were also duplicate ballots printed with the same address and
name. Then the ballot is verified. The information then goes to another area to get stuffed and
then the ballot is mailed. Maria Miller said that the applications must be returned by May 26.
However Maria stated that not everyone received their ballot. If voters did not get a ballot, they
will need to fill out a provisional ballot. There were 148,000 ballots. Donna Kavo said that she
went online to request a ballot. If there are ballot questions call Rich Fitzgerald’s office 412-
350-6500. Rich’s office is also resourcing some of the ballot work because there are too many
ballots. The SURE System did go down in Allegheny County. Bring a black or blue pen to fill
out the ballot. The ballot will be placed in a locked box to be counted the next day. Erin Urban
said we should only use black ink for the ballots. Mary stated that if the voter did not enclose the
ballot in the security envelope, their ballot will not count. They will not let you fix your ballot.
There were 225,000 applications requested which is about 25%. The ballots will be stored in a
warehouse overnight with security. Mary said that Sam DeMarco R wanted to know who gets
picked to work. He wanted a list of workers. If three Democrats are working, Sam wants three
Republicans working. A motion passed for all workers to receive $200 for working the polls.
Mary also stated that there are many Democrats running for Auditor General.Data Mining
Bernadette Fincke said that 2,300 (41%) USC Democrats applied to vote by mail. 1250
Republicans applied to vote by mail.

Old Business
A motion passed to send $200 to Katie Mazzocco to help with COVID expenses. Mary
McIntyre said that when she contacted Manor Care (to donate a lunch) they said there are 15
employees and we need to handle the lunch ourselves.New Business
Ellen Simon stated that she took it upon herself to send a postcard to every graduating high
school senior reminding them to register to vote. She incurred $130 in postage. Peg Babnik
made a motion to reimburse Ellen for her postage of $130. The motion passed. Ellen stated that
she also posted our Zoom meeting dates on USC Progressive site.

Deb Allen talked about having our meetings at the USC Rec Center picnic pavilion. Deb also
questioned about how to get Biden signs. Jason Fincke said that he got his sign from Steve
Nance. Terry Aiken will contact ASCEND to get signs.
The meeting ended at 7:40pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Descutner
___________________________________

Meeting Minutes – April 28, 2020

by | May 3, 2020 | USC Democratic Committee

USC Democratic Committee Meeting Minutes

Zoom Meeting – April 28, 2020

Mary McIntyre welcomed Zoom participants to the on-line meeting at 7:03pm.

Mary asked for approval of the minutes.  Fran Campbell moved to approve, Maria Miller seconded.  Minutes were approved.

Peg Babnik read the treasurers report.  The Committee had a balance of $3,807.44, with two outstanding checks, which leaves a balance of $3,587.00 in the account.

Committee Reports

Communications

Mary said that because of social distancing, there will be no fundraiser.  Peg Babnick said that perhaps in the fall we can have an activity.  Mary said that the USC Democratic Committee high school scholarship is not going to happen this year.

Elections

Mary gave an update on the Department of Elections online meeting which ran one hour, fifteen minutes. Jason Fincke and Deb Allen also viewed this meeting. There were 90,000 requested mail-in forms, and 35,000 votes were processed as of last Thursday.  Rich Fitzgerald would like to limit the number of polling places to one per township.  They are currently waiting for the state to approve this request.  There are 800,000 voters in Allegheny County.  They are going to mail out applications for mail-in votes to everyone.  Bernadette Fincke reported that 13% of Democrats in Upper St. Clair applied for the main-in ballot; very few Republicans applied.

Mary also spoke about the Zoom meeting for Joe Biden’s campaign, which was also viewed by George Bockosk, Deb, Allen, and Jason Fincke.  Jason said that it was suggested that posters should be posted in windows thanking workers.  George also commented about the posters, saying that Joe Biden’s name (at the bottom of the poster) was hard to read from the street.

Erin Urban reported that she attended a Zoom meting for Southwest Pennsylvania.  They are going to have a letter writing campaign.

Mary reminded everyone that Sharon Guidi is organizing a calling campaign for her election.

There are few campaign signs because employees are not working.  Mary does have Mike Lamb signs for distribution.

Jason Fincke named individuals that sent letters to all wards/districts.  He thanked them and reported that there was terrific response.

Mary said that she receives calls to the Allegheny County Democrat Committee phones.  She then sends out requested information.

Data Mining

Bernadette Fincke reported that Vote Builder is updated daily

New Business

Mary McIntyre reported that Don Williams 4-4 sent in his resignation at committeeman.  Alex Cashman will be the new committeeman for 4-4.

Katie Mazzocco phoned in and said that she is on day 49 of COVID.  She does not know if she is still contagious.  She has had fevers, headache, nausea, stomach problems, cough, lung pain, and has been in the ER three times.  Her first test was negative, but two weeks ago she tested positive.  She thanked her husband Jesse for doing “everything.”  The group asked if she needed anything, or could help in any way.

Mary would like to have Zoom meetings every two weeks on Tuesday at 7pm.

Deb Allen suggested that the Committee do some outreach within the community to show appreciation.  She suggested pizza and drinks to say thank you to workers and get some positive PR.  Bethel Park Manor Care was suggested.  Blaine Aiken said that Terry’s father is residing at that location.

The meeting ended abruptly with Zoom closing at 7:45pm.

Respectfully submitted,

 

Linda Descutner