John,

Election Day is finally here. Today is our last chance to change the direction of this country: to choose hope over despair, science over fiction, community over chaos, fairness over fear, and the needs of many over the will of a privileged few. Please, let’s make our voices heard through our votes.

If you have not voted already, please vote safely today. Mask up, take hand sanitizer, keep a safe distance, and stay in line for as long as it takes to vote. The poll workers at my early voting site made things super safe. They are doing that across the country. For polling place hours of operation, rules for returning your ballot, and, of course, information on the candidates we have endorsed, click here.

America is in the midst of many crises—a pandemic, an economic crisis, racism and a climate emergency, and that’s on top of fighting for public education and the right to organize, the right to healthcare, and defending our democracy.

Our vote is our voice. The best way to tackle COVID-19, to curb climate change, to fight voter suppression and racism, and to build our economy back better is to vote for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, and to vote for lawmakers who share our values in our communities. A vote for Biden and Harris is not just a vote to defeat Donald Trump and Betsy DeVos. Joe and Kamala have our backs. They believe in us. They believe in public education, higher education, healthcare as a right and public services.

Everything today is now about voting in person or dropping your ballot off in person. Whether you plan to drop off your ballot or vote in person, please stay safe. Be sure to save 866-OUR-VOTE in your phone in case you encounter harassment or intimidation at the polls today. For more information about voting in your state, click here.

Throughout this campaign, Biden has reminded voters exactly why he is the right person for these times: his decency, his lived experiences, his ability to speak to our souls. Biden is fighting for the families of our country, while President Trump is all about himself.

Trump’s cruelty and callousness has been on full display—from his disregard for those affected by COVID-19, to his breathtaking lack of empathy for families separated at the border. While Trump spews lies and hate, Biden has plans for healthcare, schools, a fair economy and the climate. He is reaching out to people in every corner of our nation. Biden shows us what’s possible with a president who lifts everyone up.

This election will come down to turnout. If you’ve already voted, I ask that you call three of your friends and make sure they vote today too. For more ways to take action and safely get out the vote, download the AFT Votes app in the Apple or Google app store.

We can win this. But we MUST turn out to vote, we must get our friends, families, co-workers, neighbors and communities to turn out to vote as well, and we must count every vote.

Thank you for all that you do, and thank you for voting.

In unity,
Randi Weingarten
AFT president

Paid for by AFT Solidarity, www.aft.org, and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.