Campaign Endorsement
July 28, 2023 David Olds Campaign to Elect House Representative District 24 Re: Campaign Endorsement Dear David Olds The Communications Workers of America Mississippi Political Action Team- Has voted to endorse your campaign for House Representative District 24 The Mississippi LPAT team is passionate about helping our members and our community. We appreciate the effort you have shown in helping our community. We look forward to your election and service to our community and its members. Most Sincerely, Michael Hodges CWA Mississippi State Political Action Coordinator
Your Vote is Important to our Democracy
Your Vote is Important to our Democracy! Be Counted! Need to register? Not sure how or if you can vote? Here’s the info you need. • How old do I have to be in order to register to vote? You either have to be at least 18 now, or you must turn 18 before the date of the next General Election. (So you can register early, if you’ll be old enough to vote in the election.) • How do I register to vote, or help someone else register? Go here, and download the registration form. The address you will need to mail it/drop it off is on the second page. (Note: you will need a Mississippi Driver’s license or your Social Security Number to register; if you don’t have either, you can still register but you’ll need to send along a copy of a valid and current photo ID, or a copy of a utility bill, bank statement, pay check, government check, or other government document showing your name and address.) In addition to the mailing addresses on the form, you may also register in person at your Circuit Clerk’s office, Municipal Clerk’s office, a Department of Public Safety office, or any state/federal office offering government services, such as the Department of Human Services. • When should I register to vote? Simple answer: NOW. Right now. But you must register no later than 30 days before the election you want to vote in. • Why should I check my voter registration? You should make sure your voter registration information with your county of registration is up to date, and that you are registered. This is important for two reasons: one, if you have moved, even if it’s in the same town, you need to update your registration. If you haven’t done that, you might not be able to vote where you think you are supposed to, and/or you could be challenged on Election Day and might not be able to vote at all or have your vote counted. Second, sometimes, in order to prevent “undesirable” people from voting, particularly in Republican-controlled areas, county election officials have purged people from the voting rolls—occasionally, without their knowledge and without good reason. Make sure that you haven’t been stricken off the voter rolls without your knowledge. • How can I check my voter registration, or update my registration information? The easiest way: go here, and put in your information. If you need to update your address or any other voter registration information, you can do it there as well. Also, most counties have websites you can find via Google, which tells you who you need to contact to check your registration, and how to reach them. Or you can use the Mississippi Secretary of State’s interactive map to find your Circuit Clerk’s contact information so you can get in touch with them to check your status and information, and update it if necessary. • I have a felony conviction. Can I vote? The answer to that may be yes! You’ve probably been told that if you have a felony conviction, you cannot vote. That is only true in certain cases—but please read further! If you have been convicted in a Mississippi court of one of the following 22 offenses, you are disenfranchised—which means you can’t vote (unless you go through the process to get your voting rights restored, which is pretty complicated): Please notice! • Where can I vote in person? Go here, and put in the address where you are registered to vote. This will tell you where you need to go on Election Day in order to vote. And this is why your address on your voter registration needs to be up to date: where you go to vote will be determined by what address is listed on your voter registration. • Do I need to bring identification with me when I vote? Yes. Mississippi is a state that requires voters to show an acceptable photo ID in order to be allowed to vote. Here is the list of acceptable photo IDs (you need to bring only one of these with you): If you forget your ID on election day, you can still vote—by what is called an affidavit ballot—but you will have to bring a valid ID to the Circuit or Municipal Clerk’s office within five business days after the election or your vote won’t count. Also, if you don’t have a valid photo ID because of a religious objection, you can still vote; the workers at the polling place should help you with how to do that. • I won’t be in my registered voting location on the date of the election, I may be in jail/prison without having been convicted of one of the felonies above, or there may be some other reason I can’t get to a polling place. Can I still vote? Yes. You may do so by absentee ballot. Whether you do that in person or by mail depends on your situation. You can find detailed information on that here. If you are a college student, attending school outside of your voter registration location, you’ll really need to make sure to vote by absentee ballot. You can request a ballot and vote any time within 45 days of the election (starting in late September, in other words). You can vote in person, but if you are living outside of your county while at school, you can request to vote by mail. In general, you must vote by absentee ballot in person if: You may vote either in person or by mail if If you are not sure if you are eligible to request an absentee ballot by mail, or return it by mail, you must check with your Circuit Clerk for approval! Very important! If you are voting absentee by mail, your ballot must be witnessed by someone with the authority to administer oaths, such as a notary public. You must follow the directions
The Olds Platform
THIS I BELIEVE The David Olds’ Political Platform · Expansion of Medicaid – The infant mortality rate in Mississippi is comparable to the rates of Third World Countries. Stop and think about that for a minute. Don’t we as Mississippians deserve better than that? I think we do. MS ranks 6th in the nation of uninsured people. It is estimated that Medicaid Expansion would cover an additional 200,000 people. The expansion would bring over $1 billion in new revenue. · Health Care Crisis – The dearth of hospitals in the Delta and other parts of Mississippi affects all Mississippians. There are 70 rural hospitals – 38 of those hospitals are at risk of closing. Of those 38 there, are 24 that could possibly close tomorrow. Although these closures are not in DeSoto County, we will feel the burden. We must invest in our healthcare system. · Gun Ownership – I am a gun owner. No one is going to take my guns from me. I have a Concealed Gun Permit. I went through the training and shoot at the gun range occasionally. I own handguns and long guns. It is my belief that the notion that “Democrats are going to take away your guns” is a fear tactic pushed by the Republicans to generate fear – and for the bankrupt NRA to sell guns and increase membership. · Infrastructure – I applaud the recent decision to widen I-55 from Goodman Road to Church Road. However, the road widening must be from Goodman Road to the Hernando exit. We must also address traffic in Olive Branch on Hwy 305 from Church Road to Byhalia Road. · Support of Law Enforcement – We do not need to “defund the police”. We need to invest and redirect funds from military-like operations to more specific training. Other than Hawaii, which has no requirement for a basic police training course and Missouri, which allows officers to serve indefinitely before receiving basic training, Mississippi has the longest period that officers can work before they are required to take basic training—two years. Mississippi has the third highest rate in the nation of police officers killed in the line of duty. Mississippi is above the national average in citizens killed by police, per capita. Currently. Mississippi only requires 10 hours of Mental Health Training. There must be a mental health department within law enforcement. · Education – Our education system, especially in low-income areas, should receive special attention. Better pay for teachers would help stop the exodus of teachers to other states. Our children are the foundation of Mississippi’s future, and it’s unconscionable how we treat our educators and students. The Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP) is a formula to determine funding each public school should receive from the state to meet academic standards established by the State Board of Education. This school year MAEP Funding is $279 million short of what state laws our students and teachers need to be successful. DeSoto County was shorted $21,238,956 for 2023. MS is ranked #43 in education. · Early Voting / National Holiday for General Elections – Our voting rights are under attack. We need quick, easy, and accessible voting. We need and must have Early Voting. The first Tuesday of November needs to be a national holiday. I am not advocating for another national holiday. We simply eliminate Presidents’ Day. · Open Communication and Discussion – As a member of the House of Representatives, I will represent the best interests of House 24 and all citizens of Mississippi. I am also committed to keeping you aware of all issues and asking for your input. I will keep my personal email address and cell number available for your convenience. I am also committed to a quarterly review of Legislative Action via email. · Public Safety – We all deserve to be safe regardless of our address, color of our skin, age, sexual orientation, and sexual identification. Accountability and action are extremely important when it comes to preventing crime and providing for public safety. We must be proactive and not simply reactive regarding our safety. We must prevent crime before it happens. We must invest in our communities with funded schools, convenient access to health care, fair wages, and new businesses. I support law enforcement and reform that makes criminal justice fairer. Accountability and action are paramount when it comes to maintaining a safe environment for all our citizens. · No Tax on Grocery Items – Mississippi has one of the highest taxes on groceries at 7%. Mississippi is also the poorest state in America. The elimination of the grocery tax, also known as the “tax on life” would bring much relief to all Mississippians. · Abortion – I believe that women and their families should have the freedom to decide if and when to have children. Every person’s life has its own unique circumstances. Everyone should make their own decisions regarding their own body. Not politicians. I oppose the arrest of women, doctors, and nurses who receive or provide abortion care. · Corruption – Under the TANF program – Temporary Assistance for Needy Families -benefits are provided for families with needy children under the age 18. It is a workforce development and training program which helps needy families achieve self-sufficiency through training and employment. It provides assistance with childcare and transportation expenses. Seventy-seven million dollars of TANF funds were stolen from the poor and given to the rich. Certain MS elected officials and administrators and others should be charged with criminal acts. Safeguards must be put into place and followed to ensure that funds are being distributed as allocated.
Band-Aid and Fixes
This is a band-aid. This band-aid represents how the Governor and Republican lawmakers in Jackson solve issues in our state. Band-aids cover up the cut or scrape but do nothing for the illness. Gov. Reeves and the Republicans recently approved funding for widening I-55 between Goodman Rd and Church Road. That’s a band-aid fix. The real solution is to widen I-55 between Goodman Rd and the Hernando exit. Gov. Reeves and the Republicans recently caved under pressure from the Democrats and voted to extend Medicaid Post-Partum coverage for new mothers from two months to twelve months. Once again, this is a band-aid fix. The real solution is to accept federal funds to Expand Medicaid so that an additional 200,000 Mississippians are covered. MS ranks 50th in healthcare. Since 2008, MS School Districts have been shortchanged in their funding. DeSoto County was shorted over $21m in 2023 and over $222m the past 10 years. Another band-aid. Lt Governor Hosemann just announced that schools should be fully funded. Next year. MS ranks 43rd in Education. Mississippians don’t want band-aids. We want real solutions to real issues and real concerns. We must have leadership in Jackson. We must elect Democrats in state and county elections to make a better Mississippi.
David Olds Campaign Blog
It’s the people, stupid To quote James Carville – “it’s the economy, stupid.” I say it’s the people, stupid. The people of MS are suffering because of the Republicans inaction, ignorance, and arrogance. We must identify the needs and react to those needs. We must INVEST in Mississippi. a.) MS ranks 50th in Health Care. The Infant Mortality rate is that of third world countries. We must vote to Extend Postpartum Medicaid coverage for new moms and infants from 2 months to 12 months. b.) Accept Federal Funds to Expand Medicaid. Republican voters support the expansion. 80% of the MS Voters support the expansion. It’s been proven that it will save the state of MS money. And deliver the much-needed health care. MS ranks 6th in the nation for uninsured people. c.) There are 70 rural hospitals – 38 of those hospitals are at risk of closing and of those 24 could possibly close tomorrow. These closures will affect all areas in Mississippi. d.) Public Education – The Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP) is a formula to determine funding each public school should receive from the state to meet academic standards established by the State Board of Education. This school year MAEP Funding is $279 million short of what state laws our students and teachers need to be successful. DeSoto County was shorted $21,238.956 on its 2023 recommended requirement. MS is ranked #43 in education Gov. Reeves recently bragged that the state had $209 billion in the bank. That money needs to be invested back into the state under the leadership of Brandon Presley. I’m not advocating handouts but investing in the future of Mississippi. Mississippians are fed up with Republican corruption and their inability to function for the people. Democrats, Independents and Republicans must come together and focus on the needs of the people.
Campaign Update
Dear Friend, I am excited that my campaign has achieved another goal. As promised www.votedavidolds.com is alive, online and at your service! Please visit the site and let me know your thoughts. I want your input. These past two months I have focused on a marketing / social media / branding strategy. The last piece was the website. During this same time, I have been working on the platform and stump speeches. I have talked to past and present campaign advisers and candidates for their advice and input. I will have the platform “This I Believe” on the site and emailed by end of next week. The issues that I will focus on are: Expansion of Medicare Health Care Crisis Infrastructure Support for Law Enforcement Education Judicial System Early Voting Secure Ballot Initiative Open Discussion and Communication The next phase of the campaign is a listening tour. The above shows what “I BELIEVE” to be the hot buttons for voters. However, and this is where I need your help. I need to hear from the community. I need to meet your DeSoto County neighbors, regardless of their voting district. They might not live in House District 24 but they know someone that does. There is a district map on the website that you can download. I also need your financial contributions. This is not a campaign that I can successfully finance on my own. Donations can be made through the website and at the apps below or mailed to PO Box 1888 Olive Branch, MS 38654. Please feel free to forward this message to your friends. I appreciate it! “Expect the Best” David Olds Candidate for House District 24 P O Box 1888 Olive Branch, MS 38654 Donations can be mailed to the PO Box Cash App $DavidGOldsOB Paypal @DAVIDOLDS849 ActBlue David Olds Candidate for MS House District 24 www.votedavidolds.com