On Saturday, August 20, 2016, the Grant County Democratic Party will celebrate the Grand Opening of its downtown 2016-campaign office. A series of events will occur on Saturday at the new office, which is located at 301 W. College Avenue, Suite #6, Silver City, in the College Street Plaza. The celebration itself will begin at 4pm in the courtyard, with hotdogs, beverages, and cake for everyone.

Before the party, there'll be plenty of opportunity for the public to get its feet wet in the political process. Starting at 10am you can help the three Democratic County Commission candidates - Alicia Edwards, District 3; Marilyn Alcorn, District 4; and Harry Browne, District 5 - put together mailers. At noon there will be training on how to canvass neighborhoods, and canvassing will begin at 1pm for these candidates. From 2-4pm, volunteers will also canvass the local area for Mary Hotvedt, State Legislature District 38, and Rodolfo "Rudy" Martinez, District 39.

"The Grant County Democrats have traditionally opened an office in the historic district for the big campaign seasons," stated Frances Vasquez, the GCDP chair. "This year the office will be a joint endeavor of the county party, our state legislative candidates, and our county commission candidates. We will all be working together to elect the whole slate of Democrats, from Clinton/Kaine right through all our great local candidates."

By September 6 the office will be open to the public Monday through Friday, 11am to 6pm. On Saturdays it will be staffed 10am to 2pm. Members of the public will be able to come in, obtain campaign information, buttons, bumper stickers, yard signs, etc., for Democratic candidates; register to vote (through October 11); volunteer to help; or make donations for the county party and/or any of the candidates.

"Politics is a full contact sport," said Ms. Vasquez. "It's best conducted out in the community, directly talking with and listening to as many of our fellow citizens as possible. From now through November, this office will be a hub for lots of folks working to encourage people to do their most important civic duty -- get out and vote."

For more information, contact the Grant County Democratic Party at 654-6060 or email grantcountydemocrats@gmail.com.