This year, many of our SEIU 1021 Chapters will hold elections for Chapter Officer positions. This is a great opportunity to run for a leadership position in our union if you have exciting ideas of your own, or a chance to cast your ballot for the candidates you think are best to lead your Chapter forward through the challenges of COVID-19.

COVID-19 has changed much about the way we do our jobs and interact with one another, and our election processes are not immune from the impacts of this virus. With member safety in mind, we have transitioned to a new electronic voting system this year called ElectionBuddy. This new system is a secure, encrypted online voting platform that provides ballots to members via email and allows members to cast their vote safely and electronically.

“The new election system made our chapter elections easy during the pandemic. It’s important that union members are involved in the election process, removing barriers to make voting accessible and transparent is the aim. Your chapter elections should be as important and involved as any election you participate in,” said Janay Washington, the newly-elected Chapter President at San Francisco’s Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing.

Chapter elections are all about membership democracy in action. They’re an important way that we ensure our union is member-led and focused on the priorities of members in a wide range of industries, jobs, and worksites. If you have chapter elections this year, make sure you cast your ballot to have your voice heard!

To keep the voting process moving quickly and avoid any delays, make sure that your contact information is up to date by contacting the Member Resource Center from Monday through Friday between 8 am and 6 pm at 1-877-687-1021.