2020 Elections

Welcome to SPFE Elections Page. Here you will find information about SPFE endorsed candidates, our criteria for endorsement, upcoming screenings and voting resources. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2020. No Excuses Absentee Voting (early voting) in Minnesota begins on Friday, September 18, 2020.


Election Day is Tuesday, November 3

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. Polls are open from 7am – 8pm. If you are voting in person, as long as you are in line by 8pm you can vote. The 2020 elections will be extremely important, and our votes matter more than ever. Send your “I Voted” selfies to activism@spfe28.org (please include your name and site!) and we’ll share them throughout the day on the SPFE Facebook page.

Important Minnesota Voting Information

  • If you have requested an absentee ballot, and have not yet returned it, do not mail it. Absentee ballots mailed now will not be received in time to be counted. You can find your drop off location here. Your absentee ballot must be returned by 3pm on Election Day to ensure it will be counted.
  • You can vote early, in person until Monday, November 2, 2020. You can find your early voting location here.
  • Due to COVID-19, some polling locations have changed. Please verify your polling place before you go, and make sure to wear a mask and observe proper social distancing.
  • If you registered to vote more than 21 days prior to the election, in Minnesota you do not need to show ID to vote. 
  • If you are not registered to vote, you can register to vote on Election Day. You will either need to bring proof of residency OR a current registered voter to vouch for you. 

Important Wisconsin Voting Information

  • Your absentee ballot must be returned to your municipal clerk by 8pm in order to be counted. 
  • Wisconsin voters must show a photo ID to vote. Please check this list for examples of accepted forms of identification
  • Due to COVID-19, some polling locations have changed. Please verify your polling place before you go, and make sure to wear a mask and observe proper social distancing.
  • If you are not registered to vote, you can register to vote on Election Day at your polling place. You must show proof of residency in order to register and vote.

SPFE School Board Endorsement

SPFE is proud to announce the endorsement of Jamila Mame for SPPS Board of Education. Her work as a community organizer with TakeAction Minnesota (a strong partner with SPFE), her deep understanding of co-governance, and her existing relationships with SPFE members mean she will center the voice of educators and students in decision-making. 

In addition to endorsing a candidate for the SPPS Board of Education special election, SPFE COPE has also provided an assessment and letter grade for each candidate:

  • Jamila Mame A
  • James Farnsworth B
  • Omar Syed C-
  • Charlotte “Charlie” Castro F
  • Jim Vue F
  • Keith Hardy F

Candidates were graded on the following categories:

  • Understanding of SPFE priorities and values
  • Understanding of bargaining units
  • Relationships with SPFE members
  • Understanding of co-governance
  • Understanding of the role of the Board of Education
  • Status as a Public Education Champion
  • Has completed all SPFE minimum requirements.

You can see the full report card, and the SPFE COPE grading rubric here.


SPFE School Board Screening on 9/26

SPFE COPE will screen School Board candidates on Saturday, September 26 at 1pm. This screening is open to the public and will be held via Zoom. To receive a link to the screening you must register.


Early Voting Starts September 18, 2020

The 2020 elections will be extremely important. In Saint Paul there is a special election for school board, and around the state we will be voting for the Minnesota House and Senate. In 2021 the Minnesota Legislature will set funding levels for education spending, and it’s crucial that we elect legislators that understand the issues facing educators and support us as we seek full funding for public education. Early voting in Minnesota starts on Friday, September 18, 2020. You can request a mail-in ballot now from the Minnesota Secretary of State

This year, your vote matters more than ever. Please take a minute and pledge to vote!


SPFE 2020 Voter Guide

As educators and union members, we know how important it is to be informed on issues that matter to ourselves, our families, and our students. And we know how important it is to make our voices heard in the classroom, at the bargaining table, and in the voting booth.

The 2020 general election is a critical one. In addition to the Presidential election, legislative races in Minnesota will set the stage for an important and urgent education funding battle in the 2021 session. 

SPFE’s Committee on Political Education (COPE) has created this guide to help our members track important dates, provide information on early voting, and share information about how our union makes endorsement recommendations.

Thank you for being a member, and thank you for being a voter.


Endorsements

SPFE Endorsed candidates must meet our minimum criteria, submit a completed questionnaire, and participate in a public screening. SPFE does not endorse in all races. SPFE has endorsed the following candidates:

SPFE Questionnaire responses are available here

Additional Endorsement Resources

2020 Saint Paul School Board Special Election

On Tuesday, November 3, 2020 Saint Paul residents will vote to finish out the term of Board Chair Marny Xiong. Chair Xiong was a powerful advocate, and her tragic passing on June 7, 2020 is still felt deeply by us all.

There are six declared candidates for school board: Charlotte “Charlie” Castro, James Farnsworth, Former Director Keith Hardy, Jamila Mame, Omar Syed, and Director Jim Vue.

In order to qualify to participate in the SPFE endorsement process, candidates must meet our minimum criteria, and complete a candidate questionnaire. The requirement to shadow an educator for a day has been suspended due to safety concerns.

Former Director Hardy has declined to submit a questionnaire. You can review the remaining candidates responses, and our 2020 minimum criteria at the links below.


Voter Resources

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2020.

To find information on how to register to vote, where to vote in person, or how to vote early in Minnesota, please visit the Minnesota Secretary of State.

For information on how to register to vote, where to vote in person, or how to vote early in Wisconsin, please visit My Vote Wisconsin.