WHEREAS:

AFSCME can be a major force in helping the Democratic party capture the U.S. Senate in 1986; and

WHEREAS:

AFSCME must strengthen the union's collective political clout at local, state and national levels; and

WHEREAS:

The most effective way to strengthen AFSCME's political clout is the voter registration of AFSCME members and their families who share the interests of AFSCME members; and

WHEREAS:

Many registered voters have been purged from the registration rolls since the 1984 elections; and

WHEREAS:

In many states voter registration laws still make the registration process more difficult for working people and for constituencies historically aligned with AFSCME.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That this 27th International Convention urges all AFSCME locals and councils to establish the goal of registering to vote at least 80% of AFSCME's membership prior to the 1986 US. Senate and Congressional races; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That each council and local set a legislative priority in 1987 to liberalize registration procedures in their states, with goals of election day registration at the polling place as provided in Minnesota and Wisconsin and, as an alternative, a nonrestrictive simplified procedure for postcard or deputized registration. Locals and councils should also seek to work with local and national voter registration organizations in their states, counties, and cities that are seeking to broaden access to voter registration through voluntary and public agencies; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That the Political Action Department of the International Union will provide to councils and locals requesting them samples of appropriate legislative language and supporting documentation to achieve these goals as well as names of voter registration organizations working in the respective states to broaden access for voter registration through voluntary and public agencies.

SUBMITTED BY:

James Sutton, President
John Dykes, Business Manager
Local 427, Council 33
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania