WDC Newsletter — April 1, 2026 President's Letter Dictatorships are one-way streets. Democracy boasts two-way traffic. —Albert Moravia On Thursday, April 9, WDC is convening an event for Democrats and the democratically inclined public to hear from special guest speaker Simon Rosenberg of Hopium Chronicles . Hopium Chronicles is a nationally known Substack newsletter and political organizing community founded in March of 2023 by DC-based Democratic strategist Simon Rosenberg. Hopium provides keen insights and informed political projections that emphasize electoral success paired with civic engagement. The nationwide Hopium community focuses on countering Democratic pessimism with strategic and positive action. Hopium also highlights and raises funds for Democratic Congressional candidates who are poised to tip the scales in November 2026. These highly competitive “ Winning the House ” candidates include Janelle Stelson (PA-10), Paige Cognetti (PA-08), Christina Bohannon (IA-1), Sarah Trone Garriott (IA-3), Jo Mendoza (AZ-6), Jonathan Nez (AZ-2), Elaine Luria (VA-2), Jamie Ager (NC-11) and others. (I’m an enthusiastic monthly contributor to two of these candidates, so far.) I hope to see a few hundred of you in the audience at Round House Theatre on April 9th to welcome and engage with Simon Rosenberg. Don’t miss out on what promises to be a powerful, call-to-action evening. Get your ticket(s) today . Cynthia Rubenstein President. -------- "No Kings" around Town And in Minneapolis... CLICK HERE to view images of the event -------- Advocacy Corner WDC Advocacy Continues Kate Stein, Advocacy Chair The MGA (Maryland General Assembly) had a busy week of March 16th, with a rare Saturday session on March 21st and with a few key bills “crossing over” at the last moment on Monday, March 23rd, the 69th day of this year’s 90-day session, known as “crossover day.” “Crossover” is an important day in the General Assembly. A bill that passes in one chamber—either the House or the Senate—by crossover is guaranteed a hearing in the opposite chamber. Because the MGA meets for only 90 days each year and bills must be passed by both chambers before they can be signed by the governor, bills that have not passed in one chamber by crossover have a narrower path to becoming law by Sine Die, the day that session ends, which falls on April 13th this year. While the path for a bill to become a law is narrower after crossover, the path does not close until Sine Die. Bills not clearing their chamber of origin by the 69th day are assigned to the Rules Committee in the second chamber. WDC and other advocacy groups still hope to see more bills heard on the floor of both chambers and become law. We continue to advocate—both on bills that have passed one chamber as well as a couple still stuck in committee. Please keep your eye out for advocacy alerts and other updates from our Advocacy Committee. Read about two bills of special interest to WDC HERE . -------- WDC New & Events An Evening with Simon Rosenberg April 9, 2026, 7-8:30 p.m. Join WDC for an informative and energizing conversation with Simon Rosenberg, a long-time Democratic strategist and creator of the popular Substack and podcast, Hopium Chronicles, celebrating its 3rd anniversary this month. Buy your ticket soon as this event will sell out quickly. Please note that WDC is unable to provide exchanges, refunds, or ticket sales at the door. RSVP at tinyurl.com/rosenberg-2026 Montgomery COUNTY EXECUTIVE CANDIDATES Forum -------- Montgomery County & Maryland News & Events  The Democracy Summer project seeks to bring about political change in America by training and deploying the next generation of Democratic organizers and leaders to win elections at every level. Founded by Congressman Jamie Raskin , backed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and buoyed by thousands of supportive alumni across the country, Democracy Summer engages high school and college-aged young people in state-of-the-art tactics in voter registration, canvassing, and digital political organizing. Through on-line seminars with leading historians, law professors, political organizers and union and elected leaders, it provides an intensive education in the historical struggle for democratic freedom and essential lessons for effective political leadership today. For more information or to apply, CLICK HERE . Montgomery County Public Hearings Fiscal Year 2027 Budge t -------- Be an Educated Voter Primary Election Dates Information The 2026 Primary Election Is Just around the Corner Your civic toolkit — research candidates, understand ballots, and show up prepared Check off each step before election day Check your registration Verify you're registered and your address is current. Deadlines vary by state—many are 2–4 weeks before election day. Find your polling place Polling locations change. Look up your assigned polling place; don't assume it's the same as before. Know what's on your ballot Ballots often include more than just candidates—ballot measures, judges, and local races matter too. Research each candidate & measure Use nonpartisan sources to understand positions, not just party labels. Check ID requirements Some states require photo ID; requirements differ widely. Know yours before you go. More complete information about voting and voting rights and specifically the 2026 Primary Election can be found at League of Women Voters (LWV) LWV is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization working to protect and expand voting rights and ensure everyone is represented through advocacy, education, and litigation, at the local, state, and national levels. Prospective voters can download or order a Voter's Guide in English or Spanish by clicking HERE . -------- Community Resources Maryland Public Servants Resource Website Resources for Maryland's Former Federal Employees and Other Workers Impacted by the Federal Government Transition – Maryland Department of Labor Rise Up – Federal Workers Legal Defense Network Other Government Resource Websites Chris Van Hollen’s Resources for Marylanders Affected by Trump Admin Policies Jamie Raskin’s Resources for Marylanders Affected by Troubling New Trump Administration Policies Montgomery County Resources for Workers Impacted by Recent Federal Government Actions Montgomery County Council, United in Service and Support Online Informational Series (virtual information sessions) -------- Fight Back & Stay Informed Indivisible’s Weekly WHAT’S THE PLAN? A Weekly Discussion with Indivisible’s Co-Founders Join the Weekly Zoom Chat with Indivisible Co-founders Ezra Levin and Leah Greenberg, who will help you wade through the week’s news, answer your questions, and provide timely calls to action. Webinars are held every Thursday, 3–4:00 pm EST. Register HERE . "Trusted Sources" Downtown Nasty Women Social Group (DNWSG) has created “Trusted Sources,” a fact-based news source because they believe legacy media has failed the pro-democracy movement. DNWSG believes staying informed is an act of resistance. CLICK HER E for the current list of “Trusted Sources." -------- Community Activism Montgomery County Women’s Democratic Club (WDC) 50501 (FiftyFiftyOneMovement) Civic Action Hub Commit to Democracy Democracy Forward Democracy Helpers Now DoTheMostGood Downtown Nasty Women Social Group MoCo EmpowerHer Five Calls Indivisible Indivisible MoCoWoMen Indivisible Montgomery J WalkersAction Group LWV (League of Women Voters) MCDCC MDDEMS Mobilize NOPE (Neighbors Defending Democracy) People Power United Silver Spring Progressive Action (SSPA) Vote Forward  -------- It's Cherry Blossom Time in the DMV! Kenwood in Bethesda, Brookside Gardens, Glenview Mansion are popular spots to see the heralds of Spring. See "6 places to be charmed by cherry blossoms in Montgomery County," by Josephine Jack in the March 26, 2026, issue of Bethesda Today , for recommendations.