MEA Votes

You helped candidates with an MEA recommendation win big in Tuesday's election, including President-elect Barack Obama and a Michigan Supreme Court candidate who upset an incumbent justice.

Of the 103 candidates recommended by MEA from both the Democratic and Republican parties, 93 won. All candidates were screened by groups of MEA members as part of the recommendation process.

"Voters agreed that the candidates recommended by MEA members deserve to represent us on university boards, in the halls of justice, in the state House, in Congress and in the White House," said MEA President Iris K. Salters. "MEA members should be proud of this historic election. From volunteering to running for office to voting, we helped elect Democrats and Republicans to guide us forward."

Check out all the results for MEA-recommended candidates from Tuesday's election! Of the 103 candidates MEA members screened and recommended, 93 were elected by Michigan voters.

MEA members should be proud. On Nov. 4, we made up about 5 percent of the possibly record breaking turnout in Michigan, heading to the polls in huge numbers to make our voices heard for public education.

In addition to turning out to vote, MEA members helped elect friends of public education at every level of government through talking with family, friends and neighbors, tireless volunteer efforts, and generous contributions to MEA-PAC.

If voter registration is any indication, there are sure to be lots of new voters at the polls this Election Day.

Last minute plans taking you away from your polling place on Tuesday?

Whatever you do, don't miss out on your chance to vote in this critical election. You can still request an absentee ballot!

Six days from now people will go to the polls. Votes will be counted. What I’m wondering is where will public education stand when all said and done?

Here’s a quick rundown of the top education issues for this election and should be a concern for every politician.

One vote matters.

It's probably the most overused cliché in the discussion of American democracy. But even though it can make our eyes roll, it's still true. And important.

In her monthly column in The Detroit News, MEA President Iris K. Salters says it's important for young people to understand and participate in the democratic process.

Read the column. What do you think? How are you working with students to prepare them for an active role in our American democracy?

IT’S YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE if you’re in line when the polls close.
The polls are open between 7 AM and 8 PM.

Some ideas in education just keep getting recycled. Merit pay is one and the Mackinac Center’s recent forum to generate enthusiasm for public-private partnerships for merit pay didn’t really offer up anything new.