Elections
Elections are vital to the work of educators, and have an impact on schools and students. As a progressive union, the teachers of MCEA believe there are many factors which impact the lives of children we teach each and every day. We believe it is our responsibility to advocate for our schools and our profession by engaging in the political process. In doing so, we make a positive impact on our community and our schools.
Engaging in the political process helps ensure that elected officials will be accessible to us and will give us every opportunity to present our perspective on the issues. Additionally, the recommendation process is designed to identify candidates who are authentically supportive of public education and of educators. Thus, it is much more likely that they will vote in support of education as a matter of personal values. And, if they are not knowledgeable on a certain issue, we will have the accessibility to educate them before the vote.
MCEA Candidate Recommendation Process
MCEA continuously works to ensure transparency in our candidate recommendation process. We have developed a clear set of criteria with indicators for our decision-making, and we post a description of our process and our criteria online. this rigorous process in recommending candidates, which contains set criteria.
Candidate Interviews
MCEA extended offers to all candidates who file for election to participate in our process and take part in interviews. We advertise our recommendation process in advance, so prospective candidates can know and understand our process. Interviews are conducted by rank and file teachers, who use a uniform set of questions that all candidates answer.
Candidate Questionnaires
Candidates are sent a questionnaire in advance of an interview, so they can express their views on issues significant to the work of educators. Completed questionnaires for all candidates are made available to committee members and MCEA Board members prior to recommendations being made. Copies of the completed questionnaires for all candidates interviewed are posted online on the MCEA website.
Election 2012
In 2012, three seats on the Montgomery County Board of Education are up for election. All the MCEA Questionnaires submitted by Board of Education candidates are posted here. In addition, the questions asked in the interview process of each 2012 Board of Education Candidate are provided here. The primary election will be held on Tuesday April 3rd. The general election will be held on Tuesday November 6th.
MCEA's final candidate recommendations will be posted here, as soon as the recommendation process is completed. MCEA's recommendations for federal elections are made in conjunction with the Maryland State Education Association and the National Education Association.
MCEA's candidate questionnaires from the 2010 elections can be found here. These include questionnaires from candidates for Board of Education, County Council, County Executive and the Maryland General Assembly.
Early Voting & Absentee Voting
In order to increase voter participation, any Montgomery County voter can now request an absentee ballot - without a need to provide an explanation. In addition, the Board of Elections will again be operating a series of early voting sites, in advance of both the primary and general elections. To learn more about absentee voting and early voting, go to: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/apps/elections/index.asp.
Register to Vote
If you are new to the area, or are not yet registered to vote go to: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/eletmpl.asp?url=/Content/Elections/voter2NEW.asp to register today!
Authority: MCEA Fund for Quality Schools; David Nicholson, Treasurer
