Fall 2004 - National Ready Mixed Concrete Association

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Get Out The Vote!
The Outcome of This Year’s Elections
Could Be in YOUR Hands
By Jennifer LeFevre, Director of Government Relations, NRMCA
One would expect once-in-a-lifetime
events to be exactly that – once in a
lifetime. However, that has not
been the case over the last two major elections
in 2000 and 2002. No one needs to
rehash the 2000 Election Day debacle in
Florida but the major point needs to be
underscored just the same: every single vote
matters – not only in the presidential election
but in all elections. The national elections
in 2000 and 2002 were the closest in
history and history could repeat itself again
this November. And some outcomes could
be in your hands.
Although voter registration of eligible
voters and overall voter turnout in the United
States has decreased to pathetic levels
(hovering around a 50 percent voting rate of
all eligible voters) for an industrialized,
democratic society, the trend of elections
becoming closer and closer has increased significantly
over the last couple of decades. In
fact, in 2000 and 2002, a significant number
of congressional races (both House and Senate)
were decided by a fraction of a percentage
point and, in some cases, by fewer than a
couple of hundred votes. Given the close
party margins in both chambers of Congress,
the following question is worth asking:
can you, your family or your employees really
afford to leave such important decisions –
electing lawmakers – up to others
Many people note lack of time or business
travel as an excuse for not participating
in elections. However, they forget the terrific
option of utilizing early in-person or absentee
ballot voting. Voter registration deadlines
don’t even commence until October and
many states allow voters to apply for absentee
ballots well into October. A full 25 states
do not even require ANY reason for utilizing
absentee ballots. If there is any chance you
may be out of town on Election Day, why
not at least apply for an absentee ballot
Electronic communications make doing so
easier than ever. To access information on
obtaining voter registration materials or
absentee ballot information, please visit
www.nrmca.org and log on to our grassroots
page to get state-specific information.
NRMCA staff is also available to answer any
questions you may have. So, come this
November 2nd, don’t forget to exercise your
civic duty and GET OUT THE VOTE! ■
What Can You Communicate to
Employees Regarding Elections
• Information about registering to vote,
including deadlines and time frames
• Information about using absentee ballots,
including deadlines and time frames
• You can make voter registration documents
available to employees
• You can direct employees to county facilities
to register to vote
• You can provide employees with time to
vote on Election Day
6 ı FALL 2004