Community Groups
Tip O’Neill, the legendary 47th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, once said that “all politics is local.” Democrats in Polk County understand that message and the importance of connecting with our neighbors. The more informed you are, the more inspired to act our community will become. The more active Democrats become, the faster we see change at all levels of government.
Across Polk County, Democrats have established local community groups and we encourage you to join one in your area. Local Democrat Groups help us stay informed about the concerns of individual neighborhoods so that their voices are not lost in the crowd. Whether they are city council issues or national issues, the Democratic Party is the party of the people. We want to hear your concerns and develop action plans to fix them. Participating in a Local Democrat Group is a convenient way to get involved and have your opinion be heard.
Looking for your voting precinct? Find it by visiting the Secretary of State's website.
Local Community Groups
Below is a complete list of Polk County Democrats Community groups. If you are new to Iowa or not sure which group you should consider participating in, CLICK HERE to see a map that will help you decide. However, please know that you are welcome to attend ANY of our groups.
Also, many Community Groups also have a Neighbor to Neighbor program, which recruits block captains to ensure that their neighbors are registered to vote, have the opportunity to request an absentee ballot, and actually vote on or before Election Day.
Ankeny Area Democrats
Precincts: Alleman; Ankeny 1 – 15; Crocker 1 – 2; Delaware 1; Douglas; Elkhart; Saylor 1 & 2
Contact(s): Mary McAdams
Phone: 515-681-5858
Email: info@AnkenyAreaDemocrats.org
When: Third Tuesday of each month
Time: 6:30 pm
Where: Zoom
Website: http://www.ankenyareademocrats.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ankenydems/
Neighbor to Neighbor Contact: Mary McAdams (mary@marymcadams.com)
Clive Democrats
Precincts: Clive 1 – 4
Contact(s): Lila Starr
Phone: 515-491-1537
Email: clivedemocrats@gmail.com
When: Second Tuesday of each month
Time: 6:00 pm
Where: Wobbly Boots Restaurant, 1301 NW 114th St., Clive, IA 50325
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Clive-Democrats-163105104054120/
Des Moines West Side Democrats
Precincts: Des Moines 44 - 45, 58 – 63
Contact(s): Paul Goodwin
Phone: 515-577-7077
Email: paul@smpweb.com
When: First Monday of each month
Time: 6:30 pm
Where: Gilroy's Kitchen, 1238 8th St., West Des Moines, IA 50265
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dmwestsidedems/
Downtown Des Moines Democrats
Precincts: Des Moines 47 – 48, 55 – 57
Contact(s): Will Oppermann
Phone: 202-909-5624
Email: william.j.oppermann@gmail.com
When: Second Wednesday of each month
Time: 6:00 pm
Where: Java Joe's Coffee House, 214 Fourth St., Des Moines, IA 50309
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DTdems/
East Des Moines Democrats
Precincts: Des Moines 1 – 4, 23 – 32, 49; Delaware 2
Contact(s): Jim Edvenson
Phone: 515-249-6251 (Jim)
Email: jimedvenson@gmail.com
When: First Wednesday of each month
Time: 6:00 pm
Where: Bianchi’s Hilltop Restaurant, 2820 Hubbell Ave, Des Moines, IA 50317
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/587034171649928/
Neighbor to Neighbor Contact: Lisa Bell (EDsmDems@gmail.com)
East Polk Democrats
Precincts: Altoona 1 - 5, Bondurant 1 - 2, Clay, Franklin, Mitchellville, Washington
Contact(s): Joe Riding
Email: joe.riding@yahoo.com
When: Second Wednesday of each month
Time: 6:30 pm
Where: Zoom
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eastpolkdems/
Website: https://eastpolkdems.com/
Heart of Des Moines Democrats
Precincts: Des Moines 5 - 7, 18 – 22, 33 – 37, 46
Contact(s): Samy El-Baroudi
Phone: 515-991-2100
Email: samy.elbaroudi@mchsi.com
When: Last Thursday of each month
Time: 7:00 pm
Where: 3610 6th Ave., Des Moines, IA 50313
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/greyareaydemsncdsm/
Grimes Area Democrats
Precincts: Grimes 1 – 3, Granger, Jefferson
Contact(s): Ann Gale and Sarah Schaefer
Phone: 515-320-4404 (Ann)
Email: ann.gale9@gmail.com and seschaefer67@gmail.com
When: Third Wednesday of each month
Time: 6:30 pm
Where: TBD
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GrimesAreaDemocrats/
Johnston Area Democrats
Precincts: Johnston 1 – 6
Contact(s): Deb Hansen
Email: cdhansen82@gmail.com
When: Second Wednesday of each month
Time: 7:00 pm
Where: Zoom
Website: https://johnstonareadems.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnstondems
Northwest Des Moines Democrats
Precincts: Des Moines 8 – 17, 38 – 43, Webster
Contact(s): Vanessa Phelan
Phone: 515-421-8519
Email: NWDMdems@gmail.com
When: Third Tuesday of each month
Time: 7:00 pm
Where: Zoom
Website: https://www.nwdmdems.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nwdmdems
Twitter: @NWDMdems
Neighbor to Neighbor Contact: Dave Busiek (davebusiek@mchsi.com) or Laura Sands (laurasands@mchsi.com)
Polk City Democrats
Precincts: Madison 1; Polk City 1 and Union-Sheldahl 1
Contact(s): Jaclyn Brees and Shelly Silver
Phone: 515-782-7553 (Jaclyn)
Email: jaclyn.brees@gmail.com or rssilver11@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PolkCityDems/
South Side Democrats
Precincts: Allen 1, Des Moines 50 – 54, 64 – 84
Contact(s): Joe Henry
Phone: 515-208-7312
Email: joehenry@iowalatinos.org
When: Fourth Tuesday of each month
Time: 6:30 pm
Where: Plumbers and Steamfitters Hall, 2501 Bell Ave., Des Moines, IA 50321
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/south-side-democrats-of-des-moines-525007631174538/
Southeast Polk Democrats
Precincts: Pleasant Hill 1 - 3, Four Mile, Runnells
Contact(s): Megan Bickel
Phone:
Email: sepolkdems@gmail.com
When: Second Thursday of each month
Time: 6:30 pm
Where: Zoom
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sepolkdems
Urbandale Area Democrats
Precincts: Urbandale 1 – 11
Contact(s): Sheryl Jensen
Phone: 515-771-3028
Email: info@urbandaleareademocrats.com
When: First Thursday of each month
Time: 6:00 pm
Where: Follow on Facebook for meeting locations
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UrbandaleAreaDemocrats
Neighbor to Neighbor Contact: Dave Langer (davebadpack@msn.com) or Donna Richard Langer (drldkl@msn.com)
West Des Moines Democrats
Precincts: West Des Moines 111 – 118, 211 – 213, 311 – 318
Contact(s): Julie Lasche Brown
Phone: 515-491-8391
Email: iamjulieb@gmail.com
When: Third Saturday of each month
Time: 11:00 am
Where: Tavern Pizza Restaurant, 1755 50th St, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wdmdemocrats/
Website: www.wdmdems.com
Windsor Heights Democrats
Precincts: Windsor Heights 1 – 3
Contact(s): Michael Libbie
Phone: 515-331-3206
Email: michael@insightcubed.com
When: Last Tuesday of each month
Time: 6:30 pm
Where: Gilroy's Kitchen, 1238 8th St., West Des Moines, IA 50265
Twitter: @DemsHeights
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WindsorHeightsDemocrats
Neighbor to Neighbor Contact: Allison Engel (aengel2664@aol.com) or Scott Kirkpatrick (kirkpats71@aol.com)
Student Democrat Groups
DMACC Democrats (Students and Young Adults)
When: See Facebook for meeting dates and times
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DMACCDems
Drake University Democrats
When: See Facebook for meeting dates and times
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drakeuniversitydemocrats
Email: democrats.drake@gmail.com
Youth Polk County Democrats
Contact(s): Claire Carstens
Phone: 515-494-3359
Email: cnc1@iastate.edu
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Youthpolkdems/