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Resolutions & Amendments

43rd International Convention - Boston, MA (2018)

Get Out the Vote in 2018

Resolution No. 53
43rd International Convention
Boston Convention & Exhibition Center
July 16 - 20, 2018
Boston, MA

WHEREAS:

In 2018, there are 36 gubernatorial seats, 87 state legislative chambers, 34 U.S. Senate seats and 435 U.S. House of Representative seats on the ballot; and

WHEREAS:

These elections will have lifelong consequences for union members, their families and their communities; and

WHEREAS:

In 2016, anti-worker politicians were elected to office across the country and pro-worker majorities were lost in legislative chambers, up and down the ballot. Immediately following elections that year, Missouri and Kentucky passed "right-to-work" laws, and Iowa passed a devastating anti-collective bargaining bill, which mirrored Wisconsin’s Act 10; and

WHEREAS:

This year, the numerous elections up and down the ballot present an opportunity to vote out anti-union politicians backed by the Koch brothers, ALEC and others. This year we can restore pro-worker majorities; and

WHEREAS:

States with union-friendly majorities pass positive legislation resulting in stronger contracts for our members, rather than anti-worker legislation; and

WHEREAS:

Right-wing forces plan to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on the midterm elections to continue their relentless attacks on workers, and rigging the economic rules in their favor; and

WHEREAS:

The most effective way to combat these anti-worker forces is to mobilize union and worker supporting voters to the polls; and

WHEREAS:

When union members turn out to vote, they have a positive impact on election outcomes. For example, AFSCME mobilized members in 2017 to vote in gubernatorial and legislative elections in New Jersey. The governor elected is pro-worker and the legislature is controlled by pro-worker majorities; and

WHEREAS:

The right to vote is the foundation of our democracy and essential for the protection of all other rights.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME and its affiliates work to turn out every union member, along with members of their communities, to vote in the 2018 midterm elections through a comprehensive approach including canvassing, phone banking, worksite visits, digital organizing, early voting, vote by mail and paid media; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME and its affiliates focus on electing federal, gubernatorial, state and local legislative candidates who will support working families, and create an economy that benefits the middle class; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME and its affiliates run member-to-member electoral programs and, where appropriate, partner with other labor unions and like-minded allies to elect pro-worker candidates by turning out our members to vote.

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME and its affiliates support local, state and federal efforts to protect and expand the constitutional voting rights of all citizens.

SUBMITTED BY: International Executive Board