ELECTION 2020: Don't Sit This One Out!

No matter what your party affiliation or where you stand on many of today’s issues, as union members we come together to fight for wages, health care, pensions and safety at the workplace. We all want a safety net that actually catches working families. We need to VOTE, and we need to vote in our own and our families’ best interest. There are many challenges this year—the Pandemic, voter suppression and confusion over ballot safety.

We want 600 members to be informed voters in 2020. We want 600 members to be early voters in 2020. This page will help you do both.


VOTING INFORMATION 

This page will help you get information on the following: 

  • How to find out if you are registered
  • How to register if you are not
  • Registration deadlines by state 
  • Online registration
  • How to get an Absentee or Vote-by-Mail ballot
  • When early voting starts by state and mail voting deadlines
  • Poll times

This election year is the most critical in our lifetime. If you are not going to a polling place, then VOTE EARLY to ensure your ballot gets there before the state deadlines. Here's what you should do:

  1. Get Your Ballot when eligible;
  2. As soon as you get it, fill it out;
  3. As soon as you can mail it or deliver it to an appropriate voting box…. or on November 3 you can bring it to your polling station; and
  4. Make sure your family and friends vote!

Be Heard! VOTE!

You won’t just be voting for President or your Senator/Congressperson this year. There are also down ballot races and propositions that are critical to 600 members. These races are also critical. Some of the most important workplace issues are decided in State Capitols. Some of that information will be on this PAGE.  600’s Political Coordinators (see list with contact information on this page) will have that information for you. Do not hesitate to call them.

How do I make sure I vote? Here are some links to help you:

STEP #1  -  Register to Vote If you are not sure whether you are registered to vote, you can check your voter registration status, polling stations or get tips to secure your vote by clicking on the IATSE election page link below. It will take you right to the Secretary of State website for your state. It will show you the registration deadlines in your state. It will let you either register online or request an application. You will also find the vote by mail information for your state.  https://iatse.co/checkmyreg 

STEP #2  -  Vote by Mail & Vote Early The two sites BELOW will tell you how to get a vote by mail ballot in your state, or whether your state will automatically send you a ballot. Since every state has different election rules,  it’s important to check the deadlines and requirements for voting by mail in your state.   https://www.voterparticipation.org/my-voter-info/ https://www.vote.org/

Check out this easy-to-understand, fully visual site with all of the information you need: https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/how-to-vote-2020/

NOTE: Remember information may change so re-check the site if the last time you looked was months ago. 

How Early Can I Vote?

Early voting has begun in a few states.  Find out when you can begin voting in your state, both my mail and at polling places. Check out this Early Voting Calendar

STEP # 3  -  If you are voting at a polling place or on Election Day: Many states provided EARLY VOTING – you can go to a designated polling place before election day at set times and hours. If you want to vote in person and your state makes that possible, do it. https://www.vote.org/early-voting-calendar/

STEP # 4  -  Follow your Ballot Some states are working on making it possible to follow your ballot.  https://www.nbcnews.com/specials/plan-your-vote-state-by-state-guide-voting-by-mail-early-in-person-voting-election/ https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ballot-status/wheres-my-ballot/ (California)

If you want to vote on election day, November 3, find your polling place and GO EARLY.  A number of cities will have voting in large sports stadiums and Arenas. Some of those are provided in the link below. https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-polling-places-which-arenas-will-serve-as-voting-sites-for-november-election-after-player-protests/ 

Why I Vote? 600 Members Speak!

Voting is at the core of our democracy.  Voting is also a very personal act. We all have our own reasons we go into the polling booth or checking off our mail ballot. So, in this 2020 election year, we’d like to hear from you about your reasons for voting. We are asking 600 members for 15-30 second videos that speak to this. If you want to involve your spouse, partner or family that’s just fine. By way of some examples, you could talk about: 

  • Why I vote
  • Why voting matters
  • First memory of going into to a polling place, alone or with a parent
  • Voting as a Local 600 union member
  • Voting for my family
  • Voting an American right and responsibility 
  • What it means to be denied the right to vote  

Ground rules

If you have any questions please email Committee Co-Chair E Gunnar Mortensen at gunnar.mortensen@icloud.com.


Who is the Political Coordinator for my state?

Local 600 Political Representatives


AFL-CIO Endorsements (by region)
 

Eastern Central Western
New York Florida

California
Los Angeles County

North Carolina Louisiana New Mexico
New Jersey Alabama Arizona
Connecticut Illinois Colorado
Maine Indiana Washington
New Hampshire Kansas Oregon
Massachusetts Kentucky Nevada
Rhode Island Michigan Utah
Pennsylvania Minnesota Montana
Delaware Missouri Idaho
Maryland & D.C. Nebraska  
Virginia Tennessee  
West Virginia Texas  
  Wisconsin  
  Georgia  

Support the IATSE PAC

More information


Other Voter Links

Environmental Voter Project (Recommended by the Local 600 Green Committee)


Local 600's Green Corner Voting Guide

The Local's Green Committee has put together a voter guide, "Voting = Context for Change," written by member Katherine Bomboy. 


Why Politics Matter

In the past, issues related to our jobs and industry were addressed primarily through collective bargaining. Now, however, Local 600 has increasingly turned to the legislative and regulatory process to solve problems that affect working families. This is most apparent in efforts around state incentive programs, but we've also used political action to protect and expand access to state disability and family leave programs, contain health care costs and prohibit restrictive pre-hire employment contracts. Our union is most effective when it advocates at every arena where potential solutions can be achieved.

Your union should be involved politically in areas that impact your work life. Whether it's ensuring sustainable and affordable benefits, making sure you can access state and federal programs, or strengthening safety protections, disability benefits or cost transparency when seeking emergency medical care, Local 600 is committed to fighting for state and local legislation and regulations that serve us, and battling those that do not. 


Volunteer

2020 will be among the most significant election years ever for our country and for working families, and we will do well to remember that our collective voice and action adds power and urgency to our shared message. Political action and activities are now a regular part of the work we must do together in order to protect each other and build our union. Local 600 sent a survey to all members back in November 2019 - to learn more about your involvement in and thoughts about this area. If you didn't already fill out that survey and would be interested in strengthening our efforts by volunteering, please email politics2020@icg600.com