Labor Votes: Let’s get everyone registered

(Aug. 12, 2016) — Election Day is looming on the horizon, and it’s closer than you may think. This year, union members and their families will have the opportunity to raise Washington’s minimum wage and allow all workers to earn paid sick days via Initiative 1433. They will have the chance to boost the state economy and create thousands of good construction jobs with Sound Transit Phase 3. And they could also help break the partisan logjam in Olympia so legislation can pass that really makes a difference.

But that won’t happen if union members, their families and their friends aren’t registered to vote.

For the next several weeks, the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO is working with its affiliated unions on a Labor Votes program to identify members who aren’t yet registered or need to update their registrations so they can participate in this November’s critical elections. (Click here to register to vote or check your registration to make sure it’s current.)

As part of the effort, union volunteers will be visiting worksites in key districts across Washington, tablets in hand, to help members register on the spot.

In Washington, voters have until Oct. 10 to register, change their addresses, or make other updates to their registration online. Ballots will be mailed by Oct. 21, the deadline to register in person is Oct. 31, and ballots must be returned by Nov. 8.

In you are not a union member or live outside Washington state, the AFL-CIO and Working America have teamed up with Rock the Vote to make voting easy. Not only can you register or update your registration, but Rock the Vote will help you with absentee ballots, vote-by-mail information and finding your polling place. And they’ll send you reminders by email and text so you won’t forget to vote. It really is easy to use — no tech savvy needed. Rock the Vote breaks down voter registration into a few clickable steps.

If your union in Washington state wants help identifying members who need to register or update registrations, email WSLC Field Director April Sims or call her at 206-254-4909.