Massachusetts Teachers Association Endorses Yes on 2; Union Representing 120,000 members says RCV is “a major step forward for the common good.” MTA joins Boston Teachers Union, American Federation of Teachers, SEIU Local 888, SEIU Local 509, SEIU Mass State Council, UAW Region 9A, IUE-CWA Local 201 and National Association of Social Workers in supporting ranked choice voting initiative.
For Immediate Release
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Boston, Mass. — October 22, 2020 —
The Yes on 2 Campaign announced today that the citizen’s initiative to bring ranked choice voting to Massachusetts has received the endorsement of the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA).
“Educators, families and students must have elected leaders who listen to them and represent them in government,” said Merrie Najimy, president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association. “Ranked choice voting gives voters more power in the election process, which is a major step forward for the common good. Greater choice means greater voice – and that is crucial for our democracy, as well as for our public schools, colleges and universities.”
MTA has joined a growing list of labor unions that have endorsed Yes on 2, including the Boston Teachers Union, American Federation of Teachers, SEIU Local 888, SEIU Local 509, IUE-CWA Local 201, SEIU Mass State Council, UAW Region 9A and the National Association of Social Workers – Massachusetts.
“We are so honored to have the support of the Massachusetts Teachers Association,” said campaign manager Cara Brown McCormick. “The chorus of advocates for working people who are supporting the Yes on 2 campaign is getting louder by the day.”
“Approving Question 2 would strengthen our democracy by ensuring elected leaders represent the will of the people. Ranked choice voting puts the power into the hands of the people, giving voters more say when they go to select who will represent them in government. Working people of Massachusetts deserve leaders who understand their needs and they deserve to be able to hold their leaders accountable at the voting booth.”
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Harris Gruman, Executive Director, SEIU Massachusetts State Council
“Ranked choice voting is an easy and simple way to improve our election system and strengthen democracy. That is why it was an obvious choice for the Boston Teachers Union to endorse this initiative. There is a divisiveness in our politics today that stands in the way of policymaking. That has a direct impact on our students, our schools and communities. We believe ranked choice voting would help to increase cooperation as well as accountability in the lawmaking process so that critical support for our public education system and communities can move forward.”
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Jessica Tang, Boston Teachers Union
Contact: charlie.patterson@yeson2rcv.com, 617-894-6905
About the Yes on 2 Campaign
Yes On 2 is a citizen-led, nonpartisan campaign to adopt Ranked Choice Voting for Massachusetts elections starting in 2022. Ranked Choice Voting is a common-sense reform that gives voters more voice, more choice, more power and more freedom. It will strengthen our democracy by ensuring our leaders are supported by the broadest majority of voters and reflect the true will of the people.
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