Greetings ABMEI members,
As we head into the last part of fall and the election season I wanted to touch base. My initial thought for this letter was to discuss the long history of Unions and elections. Labor unions have historically supported candidates that support not only labor organizations but the working class in general. As I was reading through articles on Labor and their potential to influence elections it occurred to me this was not the direction I wanted to take this communication with the membership.
I feel the most important message I can send out to the membership is much more simple. Vote. Participate in our electoral system. Take the time to understand the candidates, their positions and how the policies put in place will effect you and your family. Read about all the propositions on your county and state ballot and choose based on your values and what you want for the future of your children or grandchildren.
In high school I wrote a paper on the Suffragette movement. I know, shocking! At 17 I was struck by a fact that influenced my voting history from the moment I turned 18: My grandmother was 30 years old and already had 10 children by the time the 19th Amendment was ratified in 1920, giving her national voting rights. That meant that I was only the second generation of women in my family born with the right to vote. For me this means voting is not only my right but my duty and my privilege.
In closing I leave you with this quote from President Franklin D. Roosevelt
“Nobody will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote except the American people themselves and the only way they could do this is by not voting”
If you are registered to vote be sure to turn in your ballot or go to the polls on November 3rd.
If you have not registered to vote yet you can still register at the polls on November 3rd and submit a provisional ballot until residency is established.
If you are not sure of your registration status or want to understand more about the registration and voting process in California visit registertovote.ca.gov
In fellowship,
Mary Reed
President, ABMEI
“Someone struggled for your right to vote. Use it.”
Susan B Anthony
Inspectors Union, San Jose CA