Labor's election effort is far from over when Texas early voting closes at 7PM Friday, October 30. Volunteers will still be canvasing neighborhoods, phone banking, putting out signs, and working at election sites. Everyone who wants working families to prevail should contact Dallas AFL-CIO Election Coordinator Mariah Warwick for assignments.
Our work has gone well so far and the payoff is in record turnout. Over 82 million Americans had voted, 8.5 million of them in Texas, by Thursday evening. More than half of all eligible Dallas voters had voted. Harris and Travis County officials had already received more votes than their totals for 2016! But early vote turnout can be deceiving, especially during a pandemic, and no one can take anything for granted. Fight on to win!
And Afterward?
Dallas Democrats have invited everyone to register here for their election night virtual news coverage and party.
Vote counting may go on for several days. The November 3 election is historical, and the period afterward may be even more so. Most predictions say the presidential race will be close, and Mr Trump has indicated that he will try to have the election results set aside if he loses.
Your AFL-CIO has analyzed the legal maneuvers that might take place after the election. They have not called for street actions, but other organizations have. They say that all street demonstrations must be non-violent and legal. An example is https://protectthevote.net/.
Labor's News Coverage
National and state AFL-CIO leaders are ready to provide news and analysis on the election because it matters so greatly to working families. Texas labor leaders plan to meet daily. A recently-formed group of labor podcasters plans to provide ongoing commentary Monday 7-10PM, Tuesday 4PM to late evening, and Wednesday 11AM to "as long as it takes." Coverage may be extended. Watch on on Facebook and other social media platforms.
A lot is happening. Podcasters report that taxi drivers shut down Times Square in New York and protesters have already begun to gather near the White House.
Labor podcasters from all over America realized that the viewpoint of working families is hardly ever represented by corporate news sources; consequently they began organizing over the past year. A major step came when they began publicizing their efforts on the website http://laborradionetwork.org.
The group has grown from 4 or 5 charter members to over 75 labor podcasters from across the nation. They include labor historians, labor radio hosts, labor students, and union representatives. In Dallas, Bonnie Mathias and Gene Lantz of KNON radio and the Dallas AFL-CiO will pitch in.
More Actions Coming Up
Oct 30, 4:30P: Phone Banking. Contact Mariah Warwick
Oct 31, Noon: Phone Banking. Contact Mariah Warwick
Nov 2: (and every Monday), 5P: “Live at Five” on Texas AFL-CIO Facebook
Nov 2, 4:30P: Phone Banking. Contact Mariah Warwick
November 3 - Election Day
