Protecting the Right to Vote

WHEREAS, the right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy, and the AFT has long stood for increased access to the ballot box; and 

WHEREAS, a true democracy demands that all people are able to participate freely, fairly and without discriminatory barriers, ensuring that every voice is heard and every ballot is accurately counted; and 

WHEREAS, restrictive federal actions and legislative proposals, including the SAVE Act and the SAVE America Act, deliberately undermine democratic participation by imposing severe, bureaucratic documentary proof-of-citizenship requirements that disproportionately disenfranchise working-class voters, students and marginalized communities; and 

WHEREAS, these restrictive measures do not protect elections, but rather serve to legitimize xenophobia and cultivate community anxiety, using the pretext of security to entrench systemic privilege and fracture working-class solidarity through suspicion of our immigrant neighbors while casting doubt on electoral results and giving rise to false narratives of election theft; and 

WHEREAS, educators, school staff and union members play a vital role in civic education by teaching the importance of voting rights, democratic participation and accessible, transparent and fair elections for all eligible voters:

RESOLVED, that the AFT reaffirms its commitment to protecting and strengthening the right to vote for all eligible citizens by supporting policies and practices that expand equitable access to voter registration and ballot participation, ensure every legally cast vote is counted, and promote full democratic participation for all communities; and 

RESOLVED, that the AFT will oppose federal and state legislation that creates unnecessary barriers to voter registration or participation, including policies that disproportionately disenfranchise eligible voters under the guise of voter roll maintenance or election reform; and 

RESOLVED, that the AFT will provide members with resources to help educate students and communities about democratic participation, voting rights, equitable access to the ballot and the importance of combating misinformation that undermines public trust in democratic institutions; and 

RESOLVED, that the AFT will work with coalition partners to support election officials and election workers in administering free, fair, accessible and transparent elections that are protected from intimidation, harassment or political interference.

Adopted July 17, 2026