Last night, APWU President Jonathan Smith brought together APWU Legislative/Political Judy Beard and special guest Jessica Jones Capparell, director of affairs at the National League of Women Voters (LWV), for a special APWU LIVE centered around postal workers’ role in the midterm elections. Themed “Do the midterms put your job at risk?”, the livestream explained how the election affects postal workers and how candidates running for office could affect our jobs, our rights, and the public Postal Service.
APWU President Jonathan Smith opened with a personal anecdote about his grandfather’s experience as a postal worker in the Civil Rights era, processing mail ballots before he himself had the right to vote. Once his grandfather gained the right to vote through the Voting Rights Act of 1965, he never took it for granted and made a point to vote in every election that he could. President Smith hit home the importance of the fact that “you don’t realize how precious the right to vote is because you’ve never been in a situation where you didn’t have that right.”
He urged the membership to get involved this election season, because Vote-by-Mail has always proved secure: during the last election, 99% of ballots were delivered within seven days. Throughout crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, anthrax scares, and natural disasters, the Postal Service has always delivered, playing an important role in ensuring ballots were delivered on time and accounted for.
APWU Legislative/Political Director Judy Beard addressed the membership through pre-recorded video, explaining what’s at stake for postal workers during the midterm elections and how who you vote for “will set the course for the future of the Postal Service, our jobs, and our benefits.” Past legislative successes for the Postal Service, including the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 and the Social Security Fairness Act, were made possible because elected lawmakers voted in the Postal Service’s best interest. She concluded her message by urging members to research candidates, ask questions, and make an informed decision for their future and the future of APWU.
Jessica Jones Capparell of the LWV spoke on the security of mail-in ballots and how misinformation about voting can discourage potential voters. A national survey found that nearly two in three Americans are worried mail ballots may not be counted accurately. She mentioned the SAVE Act, which would make it harder for eligible Americans to register to vote, and the proposed changes to postal service rules and operations to make it harder to vote-by-mail. “ Voters should be able to count on the system, and that depends on rules that let it function smoothly.” She encouraged everyone to utilize the tools on vote411.org, a nonpartisan guide to help voters check their registration, request a sample ballot, and find out voter deadlines in their area.
“This midterm is essential to your jobs, to your way of life,” said President Smith. “You must participate in this process.” He concluded the stream by answering audience questions, ensuring members had the tools they needed to vote informedly in the midterm elections.
The full stream is available to watch below.
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