Alexandria, VA -- Members and leaders of the nation's strongest and fastest growing union, Service Employees International Union, tonight extend their congratulations to Mark Warner on his election to the U.S. Senate from Virginia.

SEIU members proved that they make politics work and elected a candidate who not only talks the talk, but walks the walk," said SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger. "Now, instead of sitting back and waiting to see what happens, members are staying out in the streets and holding our new leaders accountable for the promises they made over this past campaign season on affordable health care and rebuild the middle class by restoring workers' freedom to join unions."

Members took advantage of SEIU's intensive micro-targeting efforts to have quality conversations with the most persuadable voters over the phones and at the doors. Work began over the summer with members expanding the electorate by registering new voters and ensuring infrequent voters were registered at their current addresses. SEIU members also helped educate voters on the importance of access to quality affordable health care, jobs and economic justice, issues which, as time went on, became the defining issues of the campaign. Members also held rallies, house parties and other earned media events throughout the election to complement the one-on-one work done in the community.

By the time media attention and other campaigns arrived in the fall, SEIU members 1) had established community offices, 2) were well into their voter persuasion efforts and 3) were helping supporters vote early or by absentee and 4) transporting those who needed help getting to the polls.

SEIU's members in Virginia:

• knocked on 188,352 doors;


• worked in coalitions and met with registrars to advocate for adequate polling place resources;


• provided language assistance to voters at polling places including translation services and voter education materials.


• ensured that the elderly and disabled have access to expedited voting procedures to guard against voter disenfranchisement due to long lines at the polls; and


• Gov. Mark Warner walked a day in the shoes of personal care assistant Shareen Miller in Falls Church;

"SEIU members proved that they make politics work and elected a candidate who not only talks the talk, but walks the walk," said Burger. "Now, instead of sitting back and waiting to see what happens, members are staying out in the streets and holding our new leaders accountable for the promises they made over this past campaign season on affordable health care and rebuild the middle class by restoring workers' freedom to join unions."

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