NEA launches GOTV blitz targeting most sought-out voter of 2016 election

Paid digital ad and direct mail blitz will run in 17 states

WASHINGTON - October 28, 2016 -

With less than two weeks left until Election Day, the National Education Association, the nation’s largest labor union with nearly 3 million members, today launched a six-figure digital ad and direct mail “get out the vote” (GOTV) blitz in 17 states, including battleground states. The paid blitz targets NEA members and their families, which total about 6 million voters. College-educated white women, which make up more than three quarters of NEA membership, are one of the most sought-after voter blocs in this election cycle.

In addition, NEA members and elected leaders from across the country will participate in critical phone bank and door-to-door canvases in every top-tier battleground state during the last two weeks of the campaign. NEA also has experienced record volunteer activism—five times higher than at this time in 2012—this election cycle.

The GOTV blitz will target educator families and run in the following states starting this week through Election Day: Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin.

The following quote is attributable to NEA President Lily Eskelsen García:

“With so much at stake, we cannot afford to get complacent now. Already, more Americans are expected to vote in this election than ever before. Our 3 million members are no exception. During the last two weeks of this election cycle, we are going to leave no stone unturned and will focus like a laser beam on turning out every possible vote in support of Hillary Clinton’s positive vision to unite Americans.

“This election is bigger than politics and the choice is clear. America cannot afford Donald Trump’s dangerous vision and divisive ideas. Educators are going to let our ballots do the talking about what kind of country we want for our students and our families.

“We are confident that our robust, targeted, and strategic communications and voter mobilization operations, coupled with our proven ability to turn out this sought-after voting bloc to the polls, will have a real, decisive, and measurable impact on Election Day. The road to the White House this time really runs directly through the nearly 6 million voters in education households, and we will do everything within our power to ensure Hillary Clinton is the next president.”

NEA members’ outsized influence in the 2016 election

NEA endorsed Hillary Clinton 388 days ago and has been working hard to elect her since. With nearly 6 million total voters, NEA’s reach to households of education families increases its ability to turn out votes for Clinton. More than three- quarters of NEA members are women, a critical bloc needed to win the White House. Nearly 20 percent of NEA’s total membership is located in top-tier battleground states such as Colorado, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania alone. NEA members are well-informed on the issues, are respected and reliable voters, and represent 1 in every 58 general election voters. Voters who are not NEA members but who share a household with an NEA member represent 1 in 36 general election voters. With nearly 60 percent of NEA members identifying themselves as Independent or Republican, NEA will capitalize on the opportunity to turn out voters for Clinton who may have traditionally voted for a Republican.

Follow the conversation at @NEAMedia #StrongPublicSchools

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The National Education Association (nea.org) is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing more than 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.

CONTACT: Miguel A. Gonzalez