No matter what the UFT leadership says, the reality is that a big turnout doesn't help them. So in subtle and not so subtle ways, they act to suppress turnout except in places they think they have a lock on the vote. They opposed electronic voting.
Take a look at this rule I didn't notice till Peter Lamphere pointed it out:
Check out the voting instructions on the UFT website:
If you have not received a ballot by Monday, April 18, you can request a ballot from the American Arbitration Association by calling 800-218-5524 (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. only) or sending an email to UlerioS@adr.org. Requests for ballots must be made promptly – no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, April 22.So folks who don't get a ballot can ONLY make the request during spring break?! A number of folks are going to be out of town, try to request when they return, and be disenfranchised.
They actually brag about the low turnout as expected in union elections while ignoring high turnout in places like Chicago where they vote in the schools and have had 60% turnout. Maybe a union leadership that actually works leads to turnout. (The Chicago election is concurrent with ours and there are three slates running so that will be a test of sorts after a dozen years of CORE being in control - plus a new presidential candidate.)
MORE put out these great suggestions for GOTV --
Help get out the vote in the UFT election
UFT election ballots will be arriving in member’s homes next week!
Like any election, the UFT contest will be won or lost based on turnout. It’s crucial that MORE members motivate our coworkers to vote - turnout in previous elections has averaged around 24% and increasing that number will help ensure that we win some of the key seats in play in the elections.
Make a list of members of your chapter, and ask each of your colleagues to share with you when they vote in the election. This is the most fundamental thing you can do to help drive turnout. You do not need to ask who they voted for.
You can collect pledges to vote UFC by asking your co-workers to complete this digital form, (or use the paper pledge form and send photos or scans of completed forms to info@unitedforchange.vote so that we can add the pledgers to our reminder lists).
Have a ballot party where members bring their sealed ballots to school (copy the attached sample flyer). Take a group photo of the members with their ballots. If there is a mailbox close to your school, walk together before or after school to mail the ballots together. Please note that these parties should be non-partisan and open to all chapter members. There shouldn’t be a transaction of cash or item, including food, in return for completing a ballot. However, MORE has funding available ($20 for small chapters with 40 or fewer members and more for larger chapters) to help pay for refreshments at these events - please fill out this form to request - funds are limited, so it’s first come-first serve.
Fill out this form to request “I voted UFC” stickers Give members the stickers when they report they have voted. Have members take selfies of themselves mailing their ballots and selfies and share to the chapter
Create a UFT election thermometer that tracks the percentage of UFT members who have mailed in their ballot (copy the template on the next page).
Create the base of a turnout tree. As UFT staff members self-report to you, add leaves to the tree with the name of each UFT member who has mailed in a ballot.
If you have already distributed the UFC trifold and MORE flyer, make copies of this UFC platform flyer https://bit.ly/voteufc (if you don’t have access to copies, please fill this form to request funds to help make copies).
Turn up the heat in the UFT election!
This thermometer shows how many chapter members voted in the election.
Only 24% of UFT members voted in the last election
Let’s make sure everyone in our school votes this time!
Ballots are due to the AAA Monday, May 9th @ 8AM. If you have not received a ballot by Monday, April 18, you can request a ballot from the American Arbitration Association by calling 800-218-5524 (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. only) or sending an email to UlerioS@adr.org. Requests for ballots must be made promptly – no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, April 22.F
Voting Party!!!
Gather in the library on Tuesday 4/12 at 4pm - Bring your sealed ballot in the UFT Elections!
We will take a group selfie with the ballots, enjoy some snacks and refreshments, and go mail them together!
Ballots are being mailed to your home this week. Only 24% of UFT members voted in the last election - let’s make sure everyone in our school votes this time!
Ballots are due to the AAA Monday, May 9th @ 8AM. If you have not received a ballot by Monday, April 18, you can request a ballot from the American Arbitration Association by calling 800-218-5524 (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. only) or sending an email to UlerioS@adr.org. Requests for ballots must be made promptly – no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, April 22.
