The voices and votes of Arizona educators will make all the difference this election.
As teachers, classroom aides, librarians, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, and other public school professionals, we are among the most trusted people in our communities.
Having seen the impact of underfunding and privatization on our schools, we know what’s at stake.
And in a state where elections often come down to just a few hundreds votes in a single district, we are ready to organize, mobilize and elect pro-education candidates up and down the ballot.
This year’s ballot will be complicated. As educators, we have a critical role to play.
When ballots start arriving in mailboxes on October 11, Arizonans will open them up and find multiple pages of candidates and ballot propositions. It’s a lot to process!
That’s where we come in. Spending a few minutes to break down and explain the ballot to your friends, family and neighbors is one of the most impactful things you can do this election.
Share with them how the decisions made in Congress and at the State Capitol affect your day-to-day life as a public school educator. And encourage them to vote in favor of public education at every level of the ballot.
Make sure you’re ready to cast your ballot.
Be sure you have everything you need to participate in this year’s critical elections.
VOTE BY MAIL
If you’re signed up to receive a ballot by mail, you will receive it around October 11 or 12. Fill it out, put it in the envelope, and sign and date it. Then put it back in the mail by the end of the day on Tuesday, October 29.
If you miss the deadline to mail back your ballot, you can drop it off at a 24-hour secure dropbox, or at any voting location in your county. You don’t have to show ID or wait in line. Housemates and family members can drop off ballots for one another.
VOTE IN PERSON
You can vote early in person any day between Wednesday, October 9 and Friday, November 1. Hours will vary by voting location.
You can also vote in person on Election Day (Tuesday, November 5). Polls will be open 6 am to 7 pm.
If you’ve voting in person, make sure to bring your photo ID!
Photo ID is expired or has the wrong address? Bring another official document with the correct address to show poll workers, like a bank statement or utility bill. It can be printed out or on your phone.
MONDAY, OCT 7: LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE
WEDNESDAY, OCT 9: BALLOTS MAILED & EARLY VOTING BEGINS
FRIDAY, NOV 1: LAST DAY TO VOTE EARLY IN PERSON
TUESDAY, NOV 5: ELECTION DAY
How and Why Our Union Participates in Politics
As union educators working in Arizona public schools, we feel the impact of decisions made by elected officials every single day. The standardized tests we give, the number of students in our classrooms, the hours we work, the amount of funding available, the size of our paychecks — all of these things are determined by local, state and federal policymakers.
By working together to elect the right people to federal, state and local office, we can make sure that the people making these important decisions are ready to prioritize public education and the needs of working families.
Union dues are never used for contributions to political candidates. Instead, our union has set up separate organizations at the state and national level to support candidates who will be champions for us, our students, our families and our communities. These political action committees are funded by voluntary donations from union educators and our families.
How are decisions made about which candidates to support?
Decisions about which candidates to support are made by current union educators, who review candidate questionnaires, participate in candidate interviews and ask hard questions about voting records, policy stances and values.
Want to get more involved in this process, or run to be a member of the AEA Fund for Public Education Council? The first step is to reach out to leadership in your local and ask about how you can run to be a delegate during next year’s Delegate Assembly!
Who may contribute to the AEA Fund?
ONLY current or retired AEA members, AEA and Affiliate executive and managerial staff and their families may be solicited to contribute to the AEA Fund to help elect AEA's recommended candidates. The AEA Fund may NOT accept contributions from the general public.
How is a contribution to the AEA Fund different from my dues?
State and federal law says that ONLY funds voluntarily donated by AEA members, staff, and their families can be donated to the AEA Fund. Because the payment of dues is a condition of membership, dues money may not be donated to, or spent on behalf of, candidates, according to state and federal law.
How can I contribute?
Click here to contribute to the AEA Fund. You can make a one-time contribution or participate in our continuous membership program.
Note that ONLY current or retired AEA members, AEA and Affiliate executive and managerial staff and their families may be solicited to contribute to the AEA Fund to help elect AEA's recommended candidates. The AEA Fund may NOT accept contributions from the general public. Community supporters may join AEA as Associate members.