Rest in peace, Representative Sue Chew
As you may have heard, Sue Chew passed away this week. This is an incredible loss for our community. Sue was an incredible advocate for marginalized people of all backgrounds, a tireless worker, and an incredibly upbeat and joyful presence in a realm of stress and difficulty. Representative Chew was diagnosed late in 2023 with pancreatic cancer and died on April 17, 2024, surrounded by friends.
Sue was an amazingly hard worker, noted for being one of the best door-to-door signature gatherers for Reclaim Idaho’s Medicaid Expansion in 2018. Her dedication to getting to know her constituents was exemplary, and set a high bar for her peers. Sue served in the Legislature for 9 terms, the longest-serving Democrat in Idaho Legislative history.
Rest In Peace, Sue. You are sorely missed, and we will do our best to make you proud.
Register to Vote Before the Primary
The deadline is fast approaching to register before the May 21st Primary. The rules have changed, and I want to make sure that you know what you need to do to be fully prepared to vote on May 21st.
Update your registration every time you move! Some are not aware, but your voter registration is only valid if you actually live at the address listed. If you have moved since the last election, you need to update your voter registration!
Update your driver’s license! Though this isn’t required to register to vote, the easiest way to have your voter registration verified is to make sure that your driver’s license also matches your current address. If you don’t have a matching address, or a Driver’s License or State ID, you will be in voter registration limbo until you take extra action. You must verify your address with the Elections Office before your registration is complete. You can do this at an Early Voting location, at the polls on Election Day, or by simply going into the Elections Office at 400 N Benjamin Lane at any time. You need to bring an official piece of mail with your name and current address. This can be a number of different documents, like school paperwork, a utitily bill, a bank statement, a rental agreement, and more. You also need to bring an acceptable photo ID. Until you take this step, your registration is unfinished, which means a few things- you cannot request an absentee ballot, you cannot sign a petition, and you will need to finish this step to be allowed to vote.
The easiest way to do this is by starting today! Go to voteidaho.gov and update your registration now!
Introducing the new Executive Director
After months of rewriting job descriptions, searching, and interviewing, the Ada County Democrats are pleased to announce that we are hiring Lily Pannkuk as Executive Director! She has happily accepted the position and has big plans for the role.
But who is this Lily Pannkuk? It’s time to get to know our new Executive Director.
I am a native Idahoan, born and raised in Moscow, Idaho. I lived there most of my life, with a few exceptions including a year in Yerevan, Armenia. I worked in various fields and went to the University of Idaho, but my laser focus on working in politics didn’t begin until 2016.
I always thought that Moscow was a little Blue bubble in big Red Idaho, and though I was always interested in politics, I didn’t do much outside of the occasional door knocking shift on election nights and watching and reading the news like everyone else. On election day, 2016, the shock of the importance of politics sank in. Not only had some reality TV star beaten out the first real chance to have a woman President, but change had come closer to home, too. In District 5 (now 6), the newest representative of little Blue Moscow was now Dan Foreman. His treatment of voters, including calling Moscow a “cesspool” during his campaign, and his far-right politics being so at odds with his own voters felt so wrong for what a local representative should be. I felt the despair of Idaho politics that day. That’s when I knew I had to think about politics, life, and the world a little differently. I knew I was one of the most interested in my age group. I finally understood that it was going to be people like me that made change happen.
In 2022, I came out as transgender. I was immediately surrounded by incredibly kind, understanding, and supportive people. Being trans is a big part of my identity, and I am very proud to be a trans woman. I have been in the legislature testifying against the bills that attack the trans and nonbinary community in Idaho. It has made me stronger. There is a horrible difficulty of living in a State run by a political majority that want to erase people like me, eliminate people’s rights to manage their own bodies, destroy our educational system, ruin our libraries, disrupt and limite our ability to vote, and more. All of this gives me the fire to keep fighting, for the people who need a better Idaho today and tomorrow.
I am incredibly honored and excited to accept the position of Executive Director for the Ada County Democrats. I look forward to working with all of our volunteers, helping with all of our plans, and to electing more Democrats in Ada County. We can and will do better every single day.
Upcoming events
District 19 Yard Sale
Saturday, April 27th, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
1320 E Hays Way, Boise
Come pick up some quirky and unique stuff, meet the D19 Dems, and help us raise some money!
District 15 Candidate Forum
Tuesday, April 23rd at 6:00 PM
Casa Mexico, 10332 Fairview Ave #104, Boise
Meet the Candidates for District 15. Please RSVP to District15@adademocrats.org.
County Commissioner Candidate Forum
Wednesday April 24th 6 PM – 8 PM
Hillcrest Library 5246 W Overland Rd, Boise
Get to know the Ada Democratic Candidates for the County Commission!
District 18 Spring Wine Event
Monday, May 13th at 6:00 PM
Mill District Clubhouse, 4057 S Mill Site Ave, Boise
Join the D18 Dems for a night of fun and fundraising!
District 15 Candidate Forum
Tuesday, May 14th at 10:00 AM
Boise Co-op, 2350 N Eagle Rd, Meridian
Meet the Candidates for District 15 Representative for Seat B!
The 2024 Democratic Presidential Caucus
Thursday, May 23rd, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
EAGLE MIDDLE SCHOOL 1000 W FLOATING FEATHER RD
SILVER SAGE ELEMENTARY 7700 W SNOHOMISH ST
TIMBERLINE HIGH SCHOOL 701 E BOISE AVE
Click here to RSVP for the Caucus!
Click here to read more about the Caucus!
Click here to become a delegate in Ada County!
Thanks for supporting local Democrats,
Lily Pannkuk, Executive Director
Ada County Democrats