Support Candidates Who Support Educators

 

Good Afternoon Sisters and Brothers of the PFT,

 

It’s hard to believe that four years have gone by since the last Presidential Election. In just a few days, Election Day will be upon us again, and we will all have the opportunity to vote in the Presidential Election. All 435 seats in the United States House of Representatives and 34 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate will be up for grabs as well. Undoubtedly, the results of this election will shape United States’ politics for years to come. 

 

There’s a lot at stake in this election that directly pertains to us: labor laws, pensions, union rights, the economy, not to mention marriage equality, women’s health, immigration, and countless other important topics. It is undeniable that there are a lot of issues you may care about, but perhaps the one issue that unites us all is our job! If we care about our families, the children we educate, and our working conditions, then we must vote. When we vote, we have a voice! By participating in the election process, we reinforce the main principals of what democracy is and should be. 

 

The concept of getting large groups to the polls is not unique to unions. Many companies are still as involved in getting citizens to the polls as they have been for the last few election cycles. One such example includes a partnership between Lyft, Levi Strauss & Co., Showtime, and MTV to launch a new non-partisan initiative to increase voting among college students. During the 2020 Presidential election, we actually hit a new high in voter turnout with 66% of eligible voters hitting the polls. Clearly, many people in this country are beginning to notice the importance of voting. Always remember that while your vote may be private, your decision to vote is not. As educators, we are all part of NYSUT, and politicians look to large groups such as NYSUT to see how many of our members turned up at the polls. If politicians see a low turnout, they don’t feel obligated to listen to our voice.  

 

There’s a lot riding on this election, but one issue in particular that we should all care about is our job. Public education and union membership are constantly under attack. These attempts to weaken our voice and destroy our values should be our driving force to get to the polls and vote for NYSUT endorsed candidates!  

 

In the past, our PFT leadership has always asked our members to vote pro-union with a mantra of “vote your job,” and this year is no different. On November 5th, I’m asking you to simply vote for your ability to continually provide for your loved ones and flourish as a union family.

 

The list below contains every local candidate who has been endorsed by NYSUT based on their voting record and stance on public education / unions, NOT political party affiliation! Think about all the rights we enjoy, things such as tenure, pensions, health insurance, and workplace safety. How might our profession change if the wrong politicians are making decisions that affect our jobs? Voting is a right and a privilege; please make it a point to have our voice heard on Tuesday, November 5th. I know I’m voting for politicians, both republicans and democrats, who share our values and will listen to our voice. I hope you do as well. In solidarity!