Statement by Edward J. McElroy,
President, American Federation of Teachers,
On the Defeat of Utah’s School Voucher Proposal

Note: Yesterday, Utah voters rejected a school voucher proposal known as Referendum 1. The measure, which was on Utah's statewide election ballot, would have created the nation's first universal school voucher program.  According to The Salt Lake Tribune, "the referendum failed in every county, including the conservative bastion of Utah County."  With about 95 percent of the state's precincts reporting final election results, more than 60 percent of votes had been cast against the voucher program.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Utah voters have underscored America's unwavering support for public education. Vouchers weaken the public schools, which serve the vast majority of our nation's children. Clearly, Utah's voters took a look at the facts and chose to support the success of their students over the misleading claims of voucher proponents.

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