The fate of Prop. 15 and electing Biden/Harris comes down to getting out the vote
Tomorrow we have the opportunity to pass Prop. 15 and close loopholes that benefit wealthy corporations and reclaim $12 billion a year for our schools and our communities. CFT leaders and members worked tirelessly for years with our community and labor allies to get Prop. 15 on the ballot, and now is our chance to get this historic measure passed.
Defeating Prop. 22 which will strip rights from workers in California and passing Prop. 16 which is a vote for equity are also key priorities for CFT.
But it is going to be close, and the opposition is spending huge sums to confuse and mislead voters in the closing days of the campaign.
And it goes without saying that tomorrow’s presidential election is the most consequential in our lifetimes.
Here is what you can do:
Vote today or on November 3. Voting centers and drop boxes are now open throughout the state. You can search your address on the Secretary of State’s website, and find a voting center near you to drop off your mail ballot or even register to vote today or tomorrow. Or head to your local polling place on November 3. (At this point if at all possible, please avoid mailing your ballot in.)
Review the CFT Voter Guide. Before you cast your ballot take a moment to review the CFT Educators Choice Voter Guide, which in addition to urging a strong Yes on 15, Yes on 16, and No on 22 vote, contains voting recommendations for CFT and CFT local-endorsed measures and candidates for local and state offices.
Volunteer for Biden/Harris and Prop. 15! Please sign up for a GOTV shift for both campaigns either today or tomorrow. Shifts are available throughout both days. A couple hours of your time will make a difference!
This election we must stand up to protect democracy and demand that every vote be counted!
Last Friday, the CFT Executive Council unanimously passed a resolution outlining our union’s principles to defend American democracy, including the exercise of the right to vote and the requirement to count every vote, in light of ongoing threats by President Trump and his allies.
The resolution follows a similar resolution passed last week by AFT and highlights four key areas that the Executive Council believes must be protected:
Every American citizen registered to vote must be able to vote.
Every vote must be counted.
The electoral verdict must be respected.
We will not be intimidated. When democracy is in danger, we will be in the streets and in our workplaces with our colleagues in the labor movement and allies in the community, defending it against its enemies—foreign and domestic.
The vote at the CFT Executive Council comes as Trump is trying to bully and cheat his way through an election he knows he’s losing. He and his enablers are doing everything they can to undermine the election, with plans to intimidate voters on election day and threats to declare victory before all the ballots are counted in critical swing states across the country.
And to this we say: Not on our watch.
Given the unprecedented numbers of votes that have been cast early and by mail, we do not expect the final tally to be known on election night. Counting must continue until all votes have been counted. Period.
Take a stand to defend democracy starting November 4 and November 7
We don’t know what will happen in the days after the election, but we have to be prepared. It will be up to all of us to raise our voices in unison to fight back against any assault on democracy. The fight might last for weeks, but it all starts with actions across the state beginning this week.
CFT local unions throughout the state have begun organizing to attend protests on both November 4 and November 7 in their communities, with large rallies planned in Los Angeles and the Bay Area. Look for one of the protests in your area at protecttheresults.com and then contact your local union to join organizing efforts.
Mobilizing to defend democracy trainings this week
The CFT training department will offer a special training multiple times this week on how to mobilize to defend democracy. This training will first explain the scenarios we may face in the coming weeks that threaten democracy and the right to have every vote count. Participants will practice the skills needed to organize and mobilize others to join us in action. Finally, we’ll learn how to participate in these critical mass actions while protecting the health and safety of everyone involved. This training is strongly recommended for anyone who plans to join the upcoming mobilizations to defend democracy.
Trainings will be held at the following dates and times:
Wednesday, November 4 – 6:00–7:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 5 – 10:00–11:00 a.m.
Thursday, November 5 – 5:00–6:30 p.m.
Friday, November 6 – 10:30 a.m. – noon.
To RSVP for one of the trainings, please go to the CFT training page at www.cft.org/training-schedule.
Remember, our vote is our voice! Let’s all make sure to cast our ballots, encourage our friends and family to do the same, and then organize to protect the vote across the country!
