Campaigning for the 2016 election began almost one year ago.
I know that at the very beginning I didn’t know who I was voting for and I’m
sure most of you didn’t either. But I did know one thing – whoever I voted for
was going to support public education.
As future educators, you know this is an important
election. This year, PSEA has charged us with the task of voting for a 102/26
pro-public education majority. Now, I’m sure you’re wondering, what does that
even mean? Electing a 102/26 pro-public education majority means that we would
be electing 102 pro-public education state representatives and 26 pro-public
education state senators. This means that more than half of the state
representatives and state senators would be pro-public education. How awesome
would it be for us to know that the majority of lawmakers would have our backs
as educators?
"We don't divide legislators by their political
parties; it doesn't matter if they are Democrats or Republicans. We are looking
for 102 members of the House and 26 members of the Senate who will stand with
students and educators.'' -Jerry Oleksiak, PSEA President
That’s right, party doesn’t matter! We as educators are
responsible for more than just our personal political views when it comes to
voting. We are responsible for our students and their education.
I’m sure you’re wondering, why are we so worried about
legislators? What do they do to help us as educators? Let me ask you these
questions in return – how do we get state funding restored to our schools? Stop
attacks on public employees' pensions?
End anti-labor attacks? Limit the toxic consequences of standardized
testing? We vote for pro-public education candidates!
Legislators are making key decisions about our futures in
our classrooms that will affect our students. Legislators make the decisions
day in and day out about what we can teach in our classrooms, how we are
evaluated as teachers, what benefits we’ll receive, and the pay we earn to
support our families and futures. We need to talk to our friends, families,
colleagues, and teammates, and tell them their future as educators is in the
hands of those who will be voting on November 8th.
In 2008, 44 percent of 18 to 24-year-olds voted. In the
2012 election, only 38 percent of 18 to 24-year-olds voted. In 2014, only 17
percent of 18 to 24-year-olds voted. These are extremely low numbers. This
year, we need to change these numbers. We need to show everyone that we care
about our futures and we care about our students. We need to VOTE! We need to
let our voices be heard and we need to stand up for public education and our
rights as future educators. We need to stand up for our future students and
their education because after all, they are the reason we do what we love!
Whether you’re a Republican, a Democrat, or an Independent,
on November 8th, you need to make your voice heard and vote for candidates who
will see you through your future as an educator and support you as you work at
a job that is so rewarding that you love!
Some of you may find yourself wondering, how am I supposed
to know who to vote for?
Visit https://www.psea.org/vote/ for more information about voting and your PSEA-PACE
recommended candidates.
Visit https://www.psea.org/general.aspx?id=13603 to learn more about how to elect a pro-public education
majority.
Share the Schoolhouse Ballot, found at https://schoolhouseballot.com/, with your family, friends, and neighbors so they can find
their pro-public education candidates. This resource is open to the
non-members.
Follow Schoolhouse Ballot on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date on
election news, political issue briefs, candidate videos, and side-by-side comparisons.
To find out if you’re eligible to vote via absentee ballot
and to download an absentee ballot, visit http://www.votespa.com/en-us/voting-and-elections/types-of-voting/Pages/Absentee-Ballot.aspx
I’LL SEE YOU AT THE POLLS!
-Shelby Pepmeyer
Student PSEA President
