Sign up here for Voter Protection.

All over the country, Democrats are locked in tight battles with Republican candidates fueled by free-flowing campaign cash and Tea Party fury. Democratic enthusiasm counts, turn-out counts and every vote counts. Remember Florida in 2000?

That's why the Democratic Party of Evanston has stepped up to a new challenge. The campaigns of Pat Quinn, Alexi Giannoulias, and Wisconsin's progressive Senator Russ Feingold have asked for help recruiting lawyers to provide critical voter protection this November 2. 

Two years ago, Evanston Democrats helped organize more than 2,500 Illinois lawyers and law students who made an invaluable contribution to the Obama campaign by volunteering to protect the fundamental right to vote.  Now this help is needed again to keep the Republicans from taking control of the House, Senate and our state government. If you are a lawyer or law student you can play a vital role in ensuring that we keep this country moving forward. Please sign up now to provide voter protection on Election Day. 

What's on your to-do list?

Grocery shopping? Bagging up those leaves in the front yard? How about protecting health care reform and education funding?

The quick and convenient way to check voting off of your to-do list is to head to the Evanston Civic Center for early voting. As of 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12, registered voters can avoid lines by visiting the Civic Center at 2100 Ridge Avenue between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Other early voting locations, open through Oct. 28, can be found here.

And before you head to the poll, check out our election page. It's got everything you need, from links to useful websites to judicial recommendations.

The only thing that's missing is the grocery list. You're on your own there.

Robyn Gabel calling Democratic voters

There might have been a Bears/Packers game on last night, but State Rep. Robyn Gabel and about a dozen other volunteers had another contest in mind: the Nov. 2 election. The volunteers, including Evanston Township Assessor Bonnie Wilson, spent the evening at the Democratic Party of Evanston office calling registered Democratic voters to measure support for progressive candidates including Jan Schakowsky, Pat Quinn, Alexi Giannoulias and Evanston native David Miller, who is running for State Comptroller.

Heike Eghardt, who moved here from Germany 11 years ago, just received something of inestimable value--her American citizenship. In our office we're very fond of Heike, because we've often been the beneficiary of her fabulous treats (she's a professional baker.) While we always appreciate her cookies, Heike yearned to contribute more to contribute progressive change for this country, but was advised to avoid partisan activity while pursuing her citizenship. Now, though, she's about to do something for the first time that many of us take for granted (or avoid doing altogether.)

Heike's going canvassing. 

This Saturday, Sept. 25, Heike's going to knock on doors for Dan Seals in the 10th Congressional District to help protect the Democratic majority in the House. She'll be at our office at 10:30 a.m., ready to join our carpool up to Deerfield.