WHEREAS:

37 governors, dozens of other statewide elected officials and thousands of state legislators will be on the ballot on November 2, 2010; and

WHEREAS:
These state officials will have control of the process by which the lines are redrawn for congressional and state legislative districts across the country for the next decade; and

WHEREAS:
This is AFSCME’s last chance to elect governors and legislators who will work to draw district lines that ensure working families are fairly represented in Congress and state legislatures; and

WHEREAS:
While pre-redistricting elections take place every 10 years, this year there is not a presidential contest driving turnout, which happens coincidentally only once every 20 years; and

WHEREAS:
It is critical that members of AFSCME and other working families not only stand and be counted for the Census, but turn out and vote for candidates who will work for them in their state capitals and Congress; and

WHEREAS:
We can make up an even larger proportion of the electorate than we normally do in what will be a relatively low turnout election compared to 2008; and

WHEREAS:
The Tea Party and others who criticize the value of public service also know how important the elections are this November.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That AFSCME will run the most aggressive member mobilization effort we ever have in a non-presidential election year; and
 
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That we will concentrate our efforts to help ensure the election of candidates who support public services and workers rights and winning control of key legislative chambers in those states that will have the greatest impact on the redistricting process in 2011.
 
 
SUBMITTED BY:  
International Executive Board