Your first opportunity to impact the 2016 presidential election comes Sept. 5 and 6 when AFSCME International presents candidates to our membership in town hall-style discussions in Iowa. The national union will live-stream these sessions, and they want you to participate — but you must pre-register.
Earlier this summer, several candidates running for president chose to meet with our International Executive Board, which includes Oregon AFSCME Executive Director Ken Allen, to discuss the important issues facing our country, and asked for the endorsement and support of our 1.6 million members.
The next step in AFSCME's member-driven endorsement process is the Iowa town hall forums.
All AFSCME members will be able to access the town hall livestream simply by pre-registering with their membership number — which can be found on your AFSCME membership card or the mailing label of WORKS magazine — and a password provided by the national union.
Again, here is the link to the registration page. Please note the registration deadline is Tuesday, Sept. 1.
"Much is at stake in the 2016 presidential election and active participation of as many members across the country is crucial to an informed endorsement process," said Allen.
The audience at the Iowa events will be comprised of approximately 30 Iowa members and retirees from state facilities, cities and towns adjacent to the town hall venues in Altoona and Newton. The town halls will be live-streamed online to ensure members across the country can see these conversations in real time.
"Like so many in this country, our AFSCME sisters and brothers are looking for a president who will improve incomes, strengthen the middle class and reform government so that it works for all Americans, not just wealthy special interests," said Allen. "Since we know that unions like ours are the key to accomplishing that, we want a leader who will make it easier for workers to join together in strong unions and bargain collectively.
"Next year, we will not only vote as individuals, we will work tirelessly to turn out the vote in communities across this country. But that energy and enthusiasm will come only after careful consideration of the candidates, and the conversations like the Sept. 5-6 town halls in Iowa."
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