by Seth Michaels, Sep 24, 2008

It’s exactly six weeks until Election Day, but in many states, voting is already under way.

More and more states are offering absentee voting and early voting this year. In 13 states, absentee ballots are already available. Most states don’t require an excuse for using absentee ballots or early voting. And registration deadlines are approaching quickly—for 23 states, the registration deadline falls from Oct. 4-7, within two weeks of today. 

At Working Families Vote 2008, our state-by-state section includes vital voting information for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. You can register to vote, learn more about the AFL-CIO’s efforts in your state and find out the key dates for absentee voting, early voting and voter registration. Nationally, the AFL-CIO is working to elect Sen. Barack Obama, while many state federations have endorsed candidates in critical races for Senate, House and gubernatorial seats.

Union leaders say that getting out the vote early can make a big difference. In New Mexico, one of the states making voting by mail available this fall, Lindsay Burr, a Letter Carriers (NALC) member, is leading a vote-by-mail outreach effort.

There are several ways in which vote by mail is beneficial. Voting by mail increases participation because voters have added flexibility that going to the polls on Election Day does not provide. It also reduces the impact of last minute negative campaigning because voters have their ballots starting Oct. 7, almost a full month before the election.

Volunteers for the AFL-CIO’s Labor 2008 political program will be working throughout the fall, across the country, to encourage early votes from union members, to maximize turnout and make sure every voter is reached.

With competitive contests for the White House, Congress and statewide offices in many states, it’s more important than ever to ensure that everyone gets a chance to cast their vote and that everyone’s vote counts. The AFL-CIO has launched the My Vote, My Right campaign to help educate voters and protect them from potential problems with voting. The AFL-CIO has created a Voters’ Bill of Rights to help protect voters in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania, and it will be releasing this important information to more states soon.

No matter where you are, it’s critical to get informed, get involved and vote this year. Check out our state-by-state pages for more information. With early and no-fault absentee voting in many states, it’s easier than ever to cast your vote.

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Paid for by the AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education Political Contributions Committee, www.aflcio.org, and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.

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