#VoteforEquity

Equity is on the Ballot

Education is our greatest chance to create opportunity and disrupt racial inequity. From local school boards to the White House, we need leadership that is committed to ensuring educators have the resources to nurture the just and fair environments that every student deserves. Teachers also need the support to continuously grow in their practice.

Deeply rooted systemic inequities will not change overnight, but this election can ignite visionary, collective action that paves a new way forward. As you consider the choices ahead, we ask you to #VoteforEquity.

Four Years Will Change Lives

Four years – an average term in office – is a hugely significant amount of time in a student’s educational journey. The choices we make right now can drastically shift student outcomes for a generation.
Regardless of the outcome of this election, Leading Educators will be committed to advocating for equitable policies and practices that ensure every student has a fair shot to learn–no matter where they start. Even with leaders who support our efforts in seats of power, schools will continue to need strong champions with a shared vision for excellent and equitable access to educational opportunities.

Voting is Just the Start

We’re using November 3rd as a day of service for staff to support members of their community as they see fit. Whether you are driving someone to a voting location, serving as an early-voting poll worker, or making time to talk with people you know about the issues, there are many ways to give back.

As you make your plans, we encourage you to do the following:

Know why your vote matters

Our local and national leaders make consequential decisions about funding, educational standards, districting, curriculum, and teaching requirements, among many other facets of public education. They also have the power to enact policies that determine who can participate in the democratic process — non-citizens, permanent residents, and some people who have been incarcerated cannot vote for our leaders despite being members of our communities. Teachers, students, and families are counting on you.

Do your research

Make sure the people you support will be values-driven champions for students and teachers. Stay current and informed on their positions. If you have the opportunity to speak to them, ask the hard questions and expect specifics.

Be an ally to your neighbors

Black and Latino/x people are systematically being denied the right to vote right now. Talk with others you know about their plans, and make sure they understand the requirements they will need to meet to have their votes counted. If someone tries to stop you or someone else from voting, call election protection immediately (866-687-8683). You can find examples of suppressive behaviors at leadingeducators.org/vote.

Resources for Educators

This election is a big moment in all our lives. As teachers and leaders, you are likely thinking about the conversations your students will want to have prior to Election Day and after we have results.

Our friends at Facing History have created a resource hub to help you and your students examine the historical struggle for voting rights and the importance of ensuring that today’s elections are free and fair. Explore the many ways that young people, both current and future voters, make their voices heard and choose to participate.

Explore the Resources

historical photo of diverse people marching for voting rights

Make Your Plan

Check Your Registration

Our local and national leaders make consequential decisions about funding, educational standards, districting, curriculum, and teaching requirements among many other facets of public education. Your vote directly matters. Make sure you’re registered and ready to exercise your right to vote before or on November 3rd.

Know your rights

Check your state’s ID requirements before you leave the house to make sure you have what you need to vote. Confirm which forms of ID your state accepts here.
Bring your phone with you to vote so you can call the election protection hotline if necessary and record any illegal activities if they occur.
Keep your place in line. The lines may be long, but as long as you are in line when the polls close, you will be allowed to cast your ballot. If you leave the line, you may not be able to vote.
Do everything you can to vote a regular ballot. Cast a provisional ballot only if you have no other option. In many states if you cast a provisional ballot at the wrong polling location it will not be counted.
Try to fix any problem you have in real time at your polling site rather than go home as the lines could be longer, the polls could be closed, you never know what could happen once you leave.
And remember that most poll workers are trying their best under often difficult circumstances. Most problems are not intentional but a result of poor communications, if you’re nice to them, chances are they’ll be nice to you.

It is illegal for anyone to try to stop you from voting. If you experience any of the following, report it to Election Protection (866-687-8683) immediately:

Intimidation. This may include physically blocking entrance to voting, cursing at people waiting to vote, looking over people’s shoulders while they vote, questioning voters about their choices or citizenship status, asking for identification unnecessarily.
Coercion. This may include offering money to vote for a certain person, spreading false rumors about candidates or voting, displaying signs with false or misleading information, impersonating poll workers.
Threats. These may include comments such as “your family will be deported if you vote,” “you will be fired from your job if you vote,” “your kid won’t make the football team if you vote.”
False information about voting requirements.
People impersonating poll workers or election officials.

View Your State's Requirements

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