Newsletter: September 2026
President's Report
It’s “go” time! It’s been quite a while since I’ve had kids in schools but for me September still means that it’s time for a new start and time to get serious about electing our Democratic candidates to office!
Please join us for our September 8 meeting where we’ll focus on the many ways we can get voters to the polls – not just canvassing! We’ll also talk about voter protection to ensure that every vote is delivered and counted. The meeting will be at Inspire, The Coopersburg Community Center, 538 Thomas Street, Coopersburg. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. If possible, please bring any of the following items for Betty Lou’s Pantry – Paper Towels, peanut butter, dried pasta, and pasta sauce.
Think canvassing is not for you? You are not alone. I’ll be honest, I don’t like it when people come unexpectedly to my house. I have anxiety about going to strangers’ houses with the intention to talk about politics, but what I’ve found is that most people are not rude, they are curious, polite and many of them are relieved to talk about politics with someone else. We’ve been talking with Independents and non-Maga Republicans. People are feeling uneasy about the economy, data centers and worried about the future and looking for change. As a canvasser, we can tell them that one of the only ways we CAN change the future is to vote on November 3rd. Want to alleviate some anxiety? Take action. It feels good. Drivers are also very much appreciated on canvasses!
ATTENTION UPPER SAUCON 2 VOTERSl,(that is voters who have been voting at the Upper Saucon Township building the last couple of years, you will (once again) be moving your polling location.) The township building is undergoing a big renovation. What's this construction all about? | Upper Saucon Police Department Lehigh County Voter services has not signed a contract yet with a new location but once they have, voters will be told and we will be doing everything we can to get the word out too.
Your US 2 PCP's Casi Scully and Patty Carlis will make that a priority. Contact them if you have questions: [email protected]
MAIL IN BALLOTS: Like many voters across the country, we are closely following developments surrounding mail-in voting and the delivery and return of ballots through the U.S. Postal Service.
At this time, October 27, 2026, is the deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot in Pennsylvania for the November 3 General Election. Voters who plan to vote by mail should consider applying early and returning their completed ballot as soon as possible.
As additional information or guidance becomes available, particularly for voters in Lehigh County, we will continue to monitor developments and share updates to help voters understand their options and important deadlines.
Make a plan. Stay informed. And make sure your vote counts.
Calendar of Events
Other upcoming events:
Canvass - September 5 and 6- https://www.mobilize.us/markpinsleyforpa/event/1022074/?
Canvass - September 13 – All candidates
September 12 – Community Conversations Event registration - Please RSVP Meet and Greet all candidates sponsored by the Indian American Association of Lehigh Valley
September 13 - SLDC Canvass Launch - Join us to canvass for Mark Pinsley and Meriam Sabih with SLDC. Help us flip SD 16 and HD 131! https://www.mobilize.us/markpinsleyforpa/event/1025333/
Various dates -- Poll Observer Training · PA Coordinated 2026 Be an inside poll observer on election day. You will be able to choose a half-day shift in your home polling location.
Saturday, September 19, 5 pm, Coopersburg Community Day Clean up after festival – Let’s show up for our community and clean up after this fantastic event. Come early to enjoy the day. Clean up starts at 5 pm. Please sign up here: https://grow.withlome.com/a/60a7b5f6-4b6a-49f9-bbbf-a74b39326432
Saturday, September 26 – Lower Milford Annual Fall Festival 10am - 5 pm – We’ll have lit for candidates and talk to our neighbors. There is a most patriotic booth competition – HELP! Everyone who worked this last year thought it went well. Shifts are 9 am – 5 pm. Help is needed for setting up. Last shift people will tear down.
https://grow.withlome.com/a/8860c2ac-3a75-4186-a088-1365b899fd2b
Looking ahead
October 1 – Candidates' fundraiser - Building the Majority — Donate via ActBlue
October 11 – Coopersburg Halloween Parade with Lehigh Valley 4 All. Theme discussions coming up. (Please start stocking that candy as it goes on sale this fall!)
Please note that there will most likely be events, canvasses, fundraisers, visits from nationally known politicians (and more!) that we won’t know about until a week or sometimes days before they happen. To stay up to date, please read our emails, follow our Facebook page and check this page on our website: Southern Lehigh Democrats - Meeting/Event Information
Thanks go to:
Big Blue Thank you! – Thanks to Ronnie Arena and Dan Miller and Jan Herzog for hosting canvasses in August! More hosts are needed – contact Southern Lehigh Dems for dates and information!
Did You Know...?
Additional Items for Awareness
- There’s going to be a referendum vote on our ballots this fall. The current language is,
“Shall the Lehigh County Home Rule Charter be amended to expand the membership of the Election and Registration Commission from 3 voting members to 5 voting members, consisting of 2 members from each of the 2 largest political affiliations in the County and 1 member from the third largest political affiliation in the County, and to revise the appointment process to provide residents with the opportunity to apply for membership on the Commission? YES or NO
Currently there are three members – A Democrat, a Republican and the County Executive.
A “yes” vote supports amending the Lehigh County Home Rule Charter to: expand the Election and Registration Commission from three to five voting members, with two seats each for the two largest political parties (Democrats and Republicans) and one seat for the third largest affiliation (independent voters); remove the county executive as a voting member of the commission; and open the appointment process to public applications in addition to party nominations.
A “no” vote opposes amending the Lehigh County Home Rule Charter, thereby keeping the existing three-member structure, consisting of one Democrat, one Republican, and the county executive as a voting member.
- Have you ever wondered about how many people are registered to vote in Lehigh County? As of January 2026, registration statistics are:
Democrats: 110,166, Republicans: 90,090, No affiliation: 44.449
- From Barack Obama, “The cynics may be the loudest voices — but I promise you, they will accomplish the least. It's those folks who stay at it, those who do the long, hard, committed work of change that gradually push this country in the right direction, and make the most lasting difference.”
- Finally, Heather Cox Richardson is still at it with the batch releases of 250/250 videos. Check out some of the newer ones found on the SLDC home webpage.
