Sisters and Brothers:
As we approach another general election, I remind you that democracy isn’t a spectator sport. As people who work under conditions and work rules determined by elected politicians, we can’t afford to sit an election out, or fail to be involved in politics. I always say that if you don’t have a seat at the table, you’re likely to be on the menu.
By taking part in the political process, we make sure union members have that seat. We make sure our voices get heard by the decision makers. But being involved in politics is not effective if we don’t carry through and vote.
The good news? We just heard from our Legislative and Political Action Department that on average, 85% of CSEA members voted last year. That’s much better than the 64% in the general public. The bad news? In election years that don’t have a presidential race to drive people to the polls, like this year, we unfortunately see voting participation numbers drop.
Yes, it’s important to vote in the big national elections for offices like President and our representatives in Congress. But what some people forget is that those who run for the big offices usually start with the smaller offices first. The people who may end up your Senator, your Governor, your Congressperson, your Comptroller or your President, they may have started serving on the local School Board, or on the City or Town Council. When we work to back a candidate at the local level, we start to establish a relationship that may last for decades. That person we supported when she ran for County Clerk may end up sitting behind the Governor’s desk!
My point is that for those who have earned our support, no matter what office they start at, they remember who supported them, and WE remember who supports us. When we can establish a good working relationship with our elected leaders, we create the opportunity to have our voices heard by friendly ears. That goes a long way to getting our concerns addressed and our legislative goals achieved.
So when it comes to your local elections, I urge you to please get involved. Help work to support local candidates who you believe will support your issues. Watch for our union endorsements. Make sure you vote in EVERY election. The decisions made by candidates at the local level impact our daily lives and our future just as much, if not more, than those holding top office. We must vote in these elections to keep our communities strong.
In Solidarity,
Mary E. Sullivan, President
