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Dennis K. Grow
Executive Board Member
To enjoy the privilege of living in a democracy, you are entrusted with certain rights and responsibilities. Not only is it a right to vote, it is one of your most important responsibilities as a citizen of this country. As the results of the elections show, not many people take this privilege seriously. Usually, these are the same people to complain first.
Local 728 wants all of its members to become active and concerned citizens, to participate in the selection of your local, state and national representatives. We want you to vote on the initiatives that concern you and your families. Who and what you vote on today will affect the future of your children. As a labor organization, Local 728 hopes that you will consider the candidates and propositions that favor labor and your working future.
Forms to register to vote are at the local. They will also be available at our membership meetings. We hope to be able to make them available at the lamp docks and lighting offices at the major studios. Ask your shop steward. These forms are from Los Angeles County, but they are good for any county. If you live out of state, you will need to check with your county registrar. There are many resources online to help you register to vote.
Requirements
To register, you must be:
You must register at least 15 days before an election. Statewide elections are held the Tuesday following the first Monday of March and November.
You need to re-register if you have moved, changed your name or if you wish to change your political party affiliation. If you miss voting in an election, you do not need to re-register.
Time Off to Vote
By law, you can have as much time as you need to vote. Your employer only has to pay you for 2 hours. He can require you to vote at the start or end of the day. If the polls are open while you are not at work, you must vote at that time. For example, if your call is 10:00AM, you must vote between 7:00AM and 10:00AM, with no time off to vote. If you need additional time, you must make the request 2 days before Election Day. Polls are open from 7:00AM to 8:00PM on Election Day.
To vote absentee, you must be registered to vote. An application for an absentee ballot will be sent to you. If you wish, you can apply for Permanent Absent Voter status.
Not only do we want you and your spouse to register to vote, we want you to vote. Study the candidates. Study the propositions and initiatives. Vote with your conscience and make the best decisions that affect you. Be an informed voter. Don’t let someone else tell you how to vote. No body knows what is best for you, but you. Don’t be a “cut and paste” voter. Don’t cut out a newspaper’s or someone else’s recommendations and take them to the polls. That is totally irresponsible. Study the issues. Be informed.
If you don’t exercise your right to vote, then you can’t exercise your right to complain.
Resources:
Online registration forms and additional information is available at these Internet sites:
www.lavote.net
Los Angeles County Registrar
www.ss.ca.gov California Secretary of State
www.ca.lwv.org League Of Women Voters of California.
Non- partisan Voter Information
Labor issues, Congressional voting records
www.aflcio.org AFL-CIO union labor
www.iatse-intl.org
IATSE International home page
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