Election 2020

2020

Voting Resources for the 2020 Election

It’s not about Republicans or Democrats. It’s about quality public schools for our kids and quality public service for our communities. That’s why elections matter.

We know our members have a whole spectrum of political beliefs. We also know how important elections are to our professions as elected officials determine budgets and pass laws that can help or hinder our ability to do our jobs well.

As public professionals, you play a vital role in shaping and influencing policies affecting your practice and expertise. Every decision made affecting classrooms in K-12 schools and universities, and in public services, is at some level a political decision.

For the 2020 election, the members of the United Political Action Committee have decided not to endorse candidates. We have still asked candidates to complete questionnaires, and we have interviewed candidates in several races. It is our goal that the collection of candidate information will also allow us to respect the intelligence of our members by providing you with the candidates’ statements and voting records in order to inform your decision on election day. Historically, as a union, we have used several processes to endorse candidates for public office. Throughout our years of endorsement, we have faced claims from members in each political party of favoritism for a particular party.

We have also seen waning influence with endorsed elected officials after taking political heat internally. While endorsing candidates is certainly the norm among our brothers and sisters in the labor movement, many membership organizations and associations do not endorse candidates directly but continue to make political contributions to allies and key decision makers.

If you would like to discuss any candidate or have questions about our United Political Action Committee, please contact Executive Director Chad Oban or Assistant Executive Director Ryan Nagle at 701-223-0450 at any time.

While there are many key legislative races across the state and we will be sending mail with candidate comparisons in a number of key districts, we wanted to be sure to communicate with all members on the State Superintendent of Public Instruction race. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction oversees the education of more than 121,000 students in nearly

— KIRSTEN BAESLER —

(Incumbent) for decades with North Dakota United, its members, students and community members to improve education outcomes and respond to

COVID-19 that would have expanded teacher probationary periods to three years education 500 buildings across the state. The State Superintendent also serves on boards such as the Education Standards & Practices Board, the Career & Technical Education Board, the Teachers’ Fund for Retirement board, and the Board of University and School Lands, which manages state land holdings and oversees a $4.2 billion trust fund that benefits

Key points about each of the candidates:

Member of North Dakota United

Has worked collaboratively

Took no position on HB1347

Supports local control of public North Dakota’s public schools.

— BRANDT DICK —

According to Brandt, he had the opportunity and declined membership in a local education association*

Has stated he believes administrators ought to be the only group consulted about the use of federal education dollars without consulting stakeholders**

Supported HB1347 and expanding teacher probationary periods to three years

Supports local control of public education

* AFL-CIO Candidate Interview **Facebook post, 5/19/20

HOW TO VOTE IN 2020

North Dakota United members vote at a higher rate than the general public and that should make us all proud. Our engagement in the political process helps us ensure we all have the resources and supports we need to provide high quality public education and effective public service.

Even with the challenges of COVID-19, we expect turnout to be very high this election and encourage all of our members to vote.

Below is some basic information on a few different ways to cast your ballot this fall.

VOTE FROM HOME (ABSENTEE BALLOT)

To vote safely from home in the November election, submit an absentee ballot application, if you have not already, to get your ballot mailed to your home. After receiving and completing your ballot, you can return by mail or drop it in a secure ballot drop box in your county. Ballots must be in the return envelope provided and the return envelope must be signed by the voter. Ballot envelopes that are returned without a signature will not be processed. If voters are mailing ballots in, it must be postmarked by Nov. 2 or earlier. Voters should be careful if they mail the ballots on Nov. 2, make sure the Post Office postmarks them that day. If mailing your ballot, remember to affix the required first-class postage stamp to the envelope.

USING THE BALLOT DROP OFF BOX:

Each county will have one secure ballot drop box; contact the county auditor regarding the location. All county drop boxes can be found here: https://vip.sos.nd.gov/ precincts.aspx?eid=313

Ballots can be deposited 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Ballots returned via secure ballot box must be deposited by 5 p.m. on November 2, the day BEFORE Election Day.

INSTRUCTIONS: EASY AS 1-2-3

1

Request your absentee ballot. Complete the required applicant information and sign. https://vip.sos.nd.gov/ absentee/Default.aspx

2

Watch your mail for your ballot! When it arrives, cast your vote.

3

Return your ballot. Check that you’ve filled in all the boxes and signed the form. Put the form in the enclosed secrecy envelope, apply postage and mail it back or drop it off at your county’s ballot drop off box.

EARLY IN-PERSON VOTING

For complete information on what counties allow early voting, when to vote, and where to vote, please visit: https://vip. sos.nd.gov/precincts.aspx?eid=313

ELECTION DAY — November 3 —

Election day polling locations: https://vip.sos.nd.gov/precincts. aspx?eid=313.

OCTOBER 19 Early in-person voting begins in Cass, Stark and Stutsman counties.

OCTOBER 21 Early in-person voting begins in Burleigh and Morton counties.

OCTOBER 22 Early in-person voting begins in Rolette county.

OCTOBER 26 Early in-person voting begins in Grand Forks, Mercer and Ward counties.

OCTOBER 31 Early in-person voting begins in Sioux county.

Please visit the Secretary of State’s website at: https://vip.sos.nd.gov/precincts. aspx?eid=313 for complete information.