Political Director’s Report – October 2020 

There is about a week to go before Election Day and according to the California Secretary of State, as of October 23, 2.5 times more people have voted this year than in 2016. So my big question to you is – Have you voted? Nationally, close to 60 million ballots have been cast. Also important to know that a larger percentage of young people have voted, which tends to be a positive for progressives and the democratic party but I won’t be making any election predictions. We’re living during a pandemic and anything can happen during the next week.

I received my ballot by mail, filled it out, and dropped it off at an official drop box during the past weekend. Easy. At this point, I recommend you do the same. We don’t know how busy the voting centers will be on Election Day. If this high voting tread continues, there might be some long lines on November 3, 2020.

The office of the president isn’t the only important issue on the ballot. We have several bond measures that will fund our local schools and create local jobs. We’re supporting LAUSD bond Measure RR, Pasadena USD Measure O, Citrus Community College Measure Y, Inglewood USD Measure I, Whittier Union High School District Measure AA, Duarte USD Measure S, and Basset USD Measure BB. All these bond measures represent billions of dollars worth of construction work. For a complete list of our endorsements, go to www.ibewvotes.com and enter your zip code.

In nonelection news, Mt. San Antonio Community College in Walnut voted to approve a project labor agreement a few weeks ago. Mt. SAC has about $1 billion worth of projects and all of that us now covered by a PLA! This victory was a team effort by several people on staff and led by Organizer Mario Barragan.

In closing, I hope you’re staying healthy and practicing caution to combat COVID-19. If you want an IBEW for Biden lawn sign, stop by one of our offices and request one. I do think the results of this election will be the most consequential election in modern history. Please make the time to vote and make your voice heard in favor of the working-class and working-poor families that make this country great.

Antonio Sanchez
Political Director
IBEW Local 11