2024 Elections
Apple Ballots Win the Day!
If you’ve ever been an Apple Ballot volunteer, you know it can be fun, exhausting, rewarding, and surprising—especial-ly when you strike up a friendship with that volunteer handing out literature for the other candidate…and discover that you really do have a lot in common! That’s why so many local union members add their
names to the schedule every election day and show up from the moment polls open until closing time—under rain, snow, wind, sleet, or, if you’re lucky, clear blue skies. We checked in with some dedicated volunteers fresh off the May primary and asked them why they show up year after year.
“I believe democracy is local, and that’s what I try to drill into everyone I engage with,” says Kaitlin Fraer, the food and nutrition coordinator for St. Mary’s County Public Schools.
“I love the Apple Ballot because it gives voters names of vetted candidates who have gone through a formal process to ensure their values align with our educators. I also get the opportunity to meet new people who share the same concerns I do about the issues facing education, and just maybe I’ll mobilize a few of them to volunteer next time!”
“I didn’t like my current elected board of ed representative, so I knew I had to put in the work to get someone who would keep ALL students in mind when serving,” says Charis Cephas, a National Board Certified Teacher in Anne Arundel County. “I feel strongly that a board member should have kids in the public schools they are charged to lead. Most recently, I focused on a candidate that cares about all students who is against book bans and is open to supporting teachers.”
“I teach government and believe that voting is so important. I want voters to have information about our education friendly candidates,” says Kelly O’Hara, a government teacher in Cecil County. “I volunteer at a polling location in my hometown so I get to interact with many voters that I already know. I open with, ‘Would you like information about education friendly candidates?’ If I can, I talk about the top three education issues in my county: budget, class size, and student supports.”
This message is intended for MSEA members.
