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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina s congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Myorkas.

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WA Union Prepares for Possible Election Uncertainty

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Wednesday, October 28, 2020   

SEATTLE -- A Washington state union is preparing for possible outcomes -- and a lack of results -- on election night.

Karen Strickland, president of the American Federation of Teachers of Washington, said the nation most likely won't know who has won the presidential contest on Tuesday, opening up space for the spread of misinformation. Strickland said Washingtonians already understand that the results from mail-in voting can take days to come back, and the lead can shift back and forth between candidates.

"That becomes important because in states where they're not accustomed to mail-in voting, they might think that that's a sign of some shenanigans or, you know, that something is amiss," she said, "when we know that that's normal."

More than 2.2 million, or about 46%, of Washington state voters have returned their ballots as of Monday, according to the Secretary of State's office.

In lieu of an in-person get together, Strickland said AFT Washington is holding a virtual gathering on Election Night. She said it's important for people to connect on Tuesday to relieve some of the anxiety that has built up pre-election.

"If all of this was happening but we were able to be together in person, it would feel so much more manageable," she said. "I just think it's really exacerbated by working in isolation from one another."

Strickland said the union is preparing members for possible protests. She added that there's a movement among labor councils, across the state and nation, to take peaceful action.

"We need to have a coherent, coordinated response," she said, "and it's all about ensuring that we have a democratic election - that it really is free and fair, and that we can trust the results are the correct results by the end of it."

She said she also wants members to keep the big picture in mind, noting that Washington state lawmakers will be convening their first session since the pandemic hit in January.

Disclosure: American Federation of Teachers of Washington contributes to our fund for reporting on Budget Policy & Priorities, Early Childhood Education, Education, Livable Wages/Working Families. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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