Click here to view action campaigns at Local 117.

Your Union's activities go beyond the daily work of grievance handling, contract negotiations and organizing. So much of what we do is directly affected by the politics in our counties, cities, state and federal governments.

Our rights as working people and Union members are under constant challenge from a wide variety of interest groups who oppose our interests.

Political Action has become essential.

The purpose of this page will be to keep you up-to-date on issues that will have the potential to directly impact you. It is not the policy of your Union to tell you how to vote, only to give you the information necessary so that you can make an informed decision when you go to the polls.

To facilitate our politcal action program, Local 117 has a Government Relations Coordinator and a Political Action Coordinator:

Teresita Torres, Government Relations Coordinator 206-441-4860 ext. 1258
Lily Wilson-Codega, Political Action Coordinator 206-441-4860 ext. 1262 

Their job is to make sure that the members are kept up to date on issues that affect them.

VOTER REGISTRATION:

You cannot have an impact in politics, if you don't vote. The goal of your Union is to make sure that every member is registered to vote. Your political action coordinators can register you to vote. If you want to schedule a work place meeting with a coordinator, then please contact your Business Representative to schedule a meeting.

Who can register to vote?
U.S. citizens 18 and older who are residents of Washington State are eligible to vote.

When can I register?
You must register at least 30 days before an election to qualify for voting at your polling place in that election. If you miss the 30-day deadline, you may register in person at your County Elections Office up to 15 days before the election, but you will have to vote for that election by Absentee ballot, which you must request at the time you register.

Where can I register?
You may obtain a mail-in form at the following locations:

• All County Records and Elections Offices
• City and town clerks
• Public schools and libraries
• Fire stations in Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Mercer Is., Renton,Tukwila, and Southcenter, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Office of Local Union 117

Call (206) 296-VOTE (296-8683) for additional locations, or if you have additional Voter Registration Questions.

You can also register on-line at: http://www.beavoter.org

HOW DO I VOTE ABSENTEE?

Apply in person, by telephone or by mail at King County Records and Elections. A letter of application for an ongoing absentee ballot must include:

• Your printed name and written signature
• Your registered address and ballot mailing address
• Your voter registration number (optional)

By mail, submit your request at least 10 days before the election. After that, you may apply in person up to the day before an election. Ballots are available approximately 20 days prior to each election, and the returned voted ballot must be postmarked on or before election day to be valid.

You can obtain an absentee ballot online at the King County Elections Website Also through your Local Union office.

NOTE: Ongoing Absentee Status is available to all registered voters. All registered voters may apply for ongoing absentee voter status by contacting their Local Elections Office. A ballot will automatically be sent to you for all elections in which you are eligible to vote. Your Local Union also has the forms for ongoing absentee ballot status.

THE INTERNATIONAL UNION:

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, through the Governmental Affairs Department, is active on the National political action front. Check out the following link for further information:
http://www.teamster.org/action/political/legaction.asp

BE INVOLVED...CONTACT YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVES:

Do you have an issue your representatives in Olympia need to hear? Click on this link, to find out who your representatives are, and send them an e-mail, phone call or letter. Make sure they know how you feel.
http://www.leg.wa.gov/legislature/