[MCAEnews] Make a Difference in the November election

[The MCAE Advocate]

The following message was posted earlier today on our MCAEAnnounce listserv. It is so important, that we are also sending it out to our MCAENews listserv. I apologize if you receive two copies of this message, but urge you to get involved in this year's election. 

Kenny Tamarkin
Executive Director

YOUR VOTE COUNTS -- MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE NOVEMBER 7th ELECTION:   With the November general election less than 4 weeks away, MCAE urges you to be informed, advocate for adult basic education and vote for the candidate of your choice.     Here are some things you can do between now and November 7 (Election Day) to help make a difference in this year's elections.    1.   Register to vote, and make sure your eligible family, friends and students are also registered.   - The deadline for registering to vote for the November election is Wednesday, October 18.   - For important information about registering, voting and referendum questions, visit http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleidx.htm.
  2.    Learn about the candidates' position on adult basic education, workforce development and other related issues.   - For a transcript of a June 2006 Skillworks Forum on Jobs and Opportunity with Candidates for Governor, which included adult basic education, visit  http://www.skill-works.org/forum.html.   - Visit candidates' web sites to learn about their positions on education and adult basic education.   - Go to candidates' events and ask them how they believe adult basic education fits into their plans for workforce development.   - Educate them about the services you provide and how they benefit your students, families and the community.
3.    Work for and financially support the candidate of your choice.   - Candidates for Governor are:   * Kerry Healy:  www.HealyforGovernor.com * Christy Mihos: www.Christy2006.com * Deval Patrick:  www.DevalPatrick.com * Grace Ross:  www.GraceandMartina.org     4.    Educate yourself, your staff and your students about pertinent election laws, especially:   - The new requirement to present identification when you go to vote under the following conditions:   *if you registered to vote by mail after January 2003 but did not mail in acceptable identification with the mail-in voter registration form   *and you are voting in an election for the first time since registering after January 2003   *then you must bring identification to the polls.    - See the Official Information for Voters Guide for more informaiton.   5.    Make sure all your students, staff and volunteers know that any student who needs assistance because of an inability to read or to read English may receive help voting:   - From the 2006 Official Information for Voters Guide (published by the Secretary of State for the Commonwealth of MA - page 4):    If you need assistance because of blindness, physical disability, inability to read or to read English, you may seek help from either a person of your choice or from election officials.   - Provide students with a copy of the Official Information for Voters Guide to bring with them to the polls in case they are challenged.   5.    Vote on November 7 and encourage everyone you know to go to the polls.   -  For more information about where to vote, visit www.wheredoivotema.com.   -  Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day although some municipalities open as early as 5:45 a.m.  Check your town or city hall if you're not sure.   -  All polling places are required by state and federal law to be accessible to handicapped and elderly voters.   FOR MORE INFORMATION:   - http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleidx.htm (Secretary of State's web site, copy of the Official Information for Voters Guide, and lots of other important information;)   - Call the Secretary of State's Office - Elections Division at 800.462.8683.


-- 
Kenny Tamarkin
Executive Director
MCAE
KTamarkin at mcae.net
978-979-1906