Our Voices - Articles

During two weeks of door-knocking and rallies in Arizona as part of the AFT's GOTV campaign ahead of the 2024 election, Ellen Fischer, a member of the Retired Public Employees of Alaska, found inspiration in advocating for voting rights and equality for future generations. Fischer believes that this year's election is about ensuring that her granddaughter and all future generations inherit a world based on kindness and fairness.

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A wide range of higher education advocates gathered Oct. 28 to make a final push to get out the vote. While they hailed from different unions and held various elected positions, with different degrees of progressive politics, they all agreed: Winning the presidential election is crucial for democracy, and for our college and universities. The difference between the two major party presidential candidates is stark: One represents a litany of threats to higher education and democracy itself, and the other offers opportunities that could lift everyone up.

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As the days left before Election Day dwindle, the AFT Votes bus continues its work: It’s already held more than 110 events in 40 cities and 16 states, and traveled thousands of miles to get out the vote—and we’re not the only ones. We’ve crossed paths with GOTV buses from Higher Heights, Black Voters Matter, Unidos and more. These are our partners in the effort to get Kamala Harris and Tim Walz elected—indeed, to save the nation’s democracy and ensure that we can advance the kinds of policies that will help, not hurt, working families, public education, healthcare and public employees. Read this story about how our partners make us stronger—together.

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Civics teacher Sara Waechter always talks to her students about voting—not who to vote for, but how important it is to get out there and exercise their right, to participate in democracy. This year, she rallied students to register nearly 100 percent of the eligible voters in their school, and the kids enthusiastically embraced the task, sending messages on group chats and convening in the hallways to support each other as they took their first steps into an active civic life.

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In the final days before the presidential election, high school social studies teachers Andrew Budris and Wendy Palladino took some time out from teaching (and building a homecoming float) to discuss the candidates and their hopes for a future President Kamala Harris and Vice President Tim Walz. Alongside issues of general interest like the economy and reproductive rights, the two members of New York State United Teachers dove into hot topics in public education, such as their ability to teach real history without interference from the government. Don't miss this wide-ranging and eye-opening interview. Photo illustration: Anna Semenchenko / iStock / Getty Images Plus, shunpang / iStock / Getty Images Plus, and imagedepotpro / iStock / Getty Images Plus

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Latinos are the second-largest voting bloc in the nation, with more than 36 million eligible to vote. At a recent webinar, Latina voting advocates explored the power of this electorate and their priorities, and described how best to reach them as the election season draws to a close. “One thing is extremely clear,” said AFT Executive Vice President Evelyn DeJesus. “Our communities will make the difference in this election.” Photo credit: LPETTET, Getty

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More than 200 AFT members participated in the AFT Book Club conversation Oct. 20, in which noted historian Heather Cox Richardson outlined centuries of our nation’s struggles with democracy. Our most pressing concern, she said, is the looming presidential election and what it means for democracy—namely, that we could lose it altogether.

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Neil Kraus believes in the power of the labor movement to win economic justice and champion education as public good. And in Wisconsin — a tightly contested swing state — Kraus is all in to get out the vote for the Harris-Walz ticket and a slate of progressive state candidates (including Sen. Tammy Baldwin, currently in a toss-up race).

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While attending the Democratic National Convention this past summer, Jessica Tang, president of AFT Massachusetts, sat down with journalist Sharon Brody of WBUR Boston to talk about why the Harris-Walz ticket gives her hope, as well as the stark contrast between the Republican and Democratic candidates. “We are talking about rolling back decades of advocacy for our schools and privatizing public education, essentially,” Tang said in discussing the effect a Trump-Vance White House could have on education. Read about her thoughts and listen to the full interview on AFT Voices.

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AFT President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement after tonight’s vice presidential debate between Sen. JD Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a former AFT member, high school social studies teacher and football coach in Mankato, Minn.: "Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz won tonight’s debate against Vance by doing what good teachers do: On every question he was asked, he offered practical solutions for a better future."

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