Corporate billionaires and Fat Cats—including those who run wildly profitable hospitals—vote in EVERY SINGLE ELECTION. And usually, they are voting for things that benefit them, not us. When we vote, we level the playing field. Our vote holds just as much power as a billionaire’s vote!
There are so many ways to get involved in our union’s Nurse-Powered Politics program!
I can…
- become a permanent absentee voter and vote in every election
- talk to my co-workers
- share information with my friends and family
- contribute to our union’s voluntary Nurse-Powered Politics Fund (COPE)
- check Local 121RN's emails and website for my union’s endorsements
- call my union to find out how else I can help create change
- bring my neighborhood’s issues to my union’s attention
- call voters and knock on their doors to help get voters to the polls
Do you sometimes forget to vote? Don’t always know where your polling place is? Don’t ever miss an election again! Become a Permanent Absentee Voter and get your mail-in ballot directly to your mailbox. It’s easy to register as "vote by mail."
Is it really that important to vote in every election?
Think about it. Who helps us introduce important nursing legislation like our Whistleblower Protection bill and our Stop Repeat Offender Hospitals bill? Our state legislators and Governor. Who took away union rights and worker strength in Wisconsin? Their Governor. What body has recently been making decisions on court cases aimed at weakening worker strength and muffling our voice? The Supreme Court, appointed and approved by the leaders we elect.
Voting matters.
It has more to do with you than you think. The people we elect make important decisions that directly affect our profession, our patients, our families and our futures.
STATE LEGISLATORS
- Vote on the state budget, including funding for hospital inspections and healthcare
- Decide on laws that impact our patients and our licenses
U.S. PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
- Set rules and a budgets for healthcare coverage
- Appoint Supreme Court Justices who hear cases on discrimination, labor union strength and more
- Decide on laws that impact our rights on the job, including family medical leave and protections against discrimination
- Decide on laws that affect our families and neighborhoods, including access to healthcare for all and immigration reform
If we want to improve our lives, it’s up to us to be informed, be active in politics, and vote for candidates who will represent the needs and aspirations of all working people.