TOP STORY
13 Days to go – Have you made a plan to vote?
As of October 20, over 200,000 absentee ballots have been requested and more than 135,000 have already been returned to town and city clerks all over the Granite State. Election officials have seen a drastic increase in mail-in ballots, which keeps communities safe but can overload local offices. Manchester is requesting volunteers to help pre-process ballots on October 31.
With only 13 days left to cast a ballot, Granite Staters need to have a plan for making their votes count.
If you have an absentee ballot: Return the ballot your local town or city clerk in person or via USPS.
If you are voting in person: Click here to find your polling location. Remember to wear a mask, practice social distancing, and thank your poll workers!
Election 2020
WATCH: Interview with Dan Feltes
SEA sat down with Gubernatorial Candidate Dan Feltes to talk about pressing issues for NH workers. When asked about PPE for frontline workers, Feltes replied “Worker safety is public safety” and emphasized a need to help workers, not corporations. Dan Feltes also supports paid family and medical leave, which passed the Legislature but vetoed by Gov. Sununu earlier this year.
Sen. Feltes also discusses our need to lower energy rates and fight climate change by adopting cleaner energy sources.
The Democratic candidate for Governor is a former legal aid attorney and currently represents District 15 as the youngest Senate Majority Leader in NH history.
Interview with Sen. Dan Feltes
Top NH Republicans Support Joe Biden for President
Tom Rath, former NH Attorney General, is the latest NH Republican to voice support for Joe Biden in the last weeks before the election. Rath emphasized the personal qualities that he feels are necessary to function as the President, such as integrity. Previously, he has advised Mitt Romney and George W. Bush campaigns for President.
Rath said of his support, “It’s not about policy, it’s about character, decency and the way we should treat each other as Americans.” He hopes that the Republican Party “can get back to being the party we are: conservative on fiscal issues, respectful of each other, and strong on human rights.”
Updated: 2020 Endorsements
Our latest endorsements are here! SEA/SEIU Local 1984 has endorsed over 80 candidates for state and local offices who have committed to supporting public employees through legislative advocacy and action.
Members are also welcome to visit our webpage for more information on the 2020 Election and our endorsements.
Member Candidates in the News
Jenn Alford-Teaster, NH Senate District 8
This week, we are highlighting Jenn Alford-Teaster, an SEA member running to represent District 8 in the NH Senate.
Alford-Teaster was featured in a recent editorial by the Sentinel Source, noting her positions on education, women’s rights, and climate change. The author closed by saying, “While [Ruth] Ward has exhibited some progressive positions for a generally conservative lawmaker, we still feel Alford-Teaster offers the state, and the district, a better opportunity to move ahead.”
Jenn’s life story is one of resiliance and hard work. Raised by her mother and grandmother in a small Seacoast apartment, she learned that a little assistance can go a long way for struggling families. She attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and has brought her knowledge of public health back to NH. Alford-Teaster intends to use her expertise in public health to close the gaps in our healthcare system and create more opportunties for Granite Staters to receive the affordable medical care they need.
Join us TONIGHT to support Jenn Alford-Teaster! SEA will be calling fellow members in District 8 to advocate for Alford -Teaster.
Call to Action
Manchester needs volunteers to process ballots
Care about Democracy? Manchester needs your help!
Manchester needs volunteers for an absentee ballot pre-processing session. This is a non-partisan volunteer opportunity taking place on Saturday October 31st starting around 9am. If you have the time and live in Manchester, please sign up and you will be contacted with next steps in 7-10 days.
Please contact Reed Walker (rwalker@americavotes.org) with any questions.
NH Updates
Dr. Birx: Stay vigilant this winter
In a recent visit to Plymouth State University, Dr. Deborah Birx reminded attendees to stay vigilant this winter as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage on. NH has seen a drastic rise in cases, bringing the current active case count to over 1,000.
Dr. Birx told the audience to avoid mass gatherings where face masks and physical distancing are not enforced, including weddings and holidays. She reminded the audience to wash their hands, wear face masks during both indoor and outdoor gatherings, and practice physical distancing.
Union Updates
Volunteers Needed! Support member candidates
Join SEA every On October 21 and October 28 to phone bank for fellow SEA members running for office.
Tonight, SEA is phone banking for fellow SEA member, Jenn Alford-Teaster. Alford-Teaster works at the Geisel School of Medicine and is running to represent District 8, which includes the towns of Acworth, Antrim, Bennington, Bradford, Croydon, Deering, Francestown, Goshen, Grantham, Hillsborough, Langdon, Lempster, Marlow, New London, Newbury, Newport, Springfield, Stoddard, Sunapee, Sutton, Unity, Washington, Weare, Windsor.
Click the date that works best for you to get started.
Sgt. Patrick Bettens Memorial 5K
On September 5, 2018, Sgt. Patrick Bettens of the NH Department. of Corrections was killed by a distracted driver while riding his bicycle in preparation for a triathlon that weekend. The Annual Sgt Patrick Bettens Memorial 5K was set up to honor his memory and support his two sons, Travis and Colby. SEA donated money to the family in memory of our valued communtiy member (pictured above).
To participate, please register and complete a 5K run, walk, or bike ride between October 18 – December 20, 2020.
Operation Santa Claus
Every year, SEA/SEIU Local 1984 sponsors Operation Santa Claus (est. 1960) to give NH children in need gifts for the holiday season. Operation Santa Claus partners with DHHS to help children who are receiving state services. Last year, we provided gifts for over 2,800 children across the Granite State. An undertaking of this size requires time and money: this program is driven by volunteers and funded by your financial contributions. Simply put, we couldn’t do this without you.
Please consider contributing to this valuable program by giving a donation or sponsoring a child.