Issued October 23, 2024
WASHINGTON, DC – As the 2024 election enters its final stretch, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) is gearing up for a massive Get Out the Vote (GOTV) operation, as thousands of members travel to battleground states to speak to voters. SEIU union members are poised to make a decisive impact on voter turnout in support of Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz in one of the largest electoral programs this cycle, having surpassed our goal of 6 million voters by Election day. SEIU is working with trusted partners and messengers in states to remind working-class voters to cast their ballots in one of the most crucial elections of our time.
“SEIU members are making a big difference in this election,” said SEIU International President April Verrett. “Thousands of members are volunteering every single weekend. We’re clear about what’s at stake and what our communities need to thrive. For us, this isn’t just about the names on the ballot, it’s about our whole lives. We’ll turn out every vote we can and we’ll be in it until every vote is counted.”
Barbara Cherry, a former teacher, has already knocked 10,000 doors as a member volunteer with 32BJ SEIU in Philadelphia
“I’m also educating people while I’m out here, because a lot of people don’t know about politics and I was once like that myself,” said Cherry. “A lot of us middle-class people — working people — we need good benefits and wages for our families. Healthcare is a very big issue for everybody. Social Security is a big issue for me because I haven’t gotten it yet, but I’m very close.”
SEIU’s GOTV program leverages the strength of our two million members alongside the reach of 67 community-based organizations embedded in working-class communities of color. Canvassers have been talking to voters in their communities since September of 2023.
IN-PERSON Coverage Opportunities:
In the Field: Members of the media are invited to follow SEIU union member volunteers on the ground as they knock on doors, make phone calls, and engage communities during the final two GOTV weekends in Nevada, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia and North Carolina.
Atlanta, GA Friday, Oct. 25, Harris-Walz Rally with Ludacris
Charlotte, NC Saturday, Oct. 26, Power to the Polls
Lehigh Valley, PA, Friday, Nov. 1 - Joint Labor Leader Election Tour
Philadelphia, PA Saturday, Nov. 2 - Joint Labor Leader Election Tour
During GOTV weekend, SEIU union members will show up in record numbers:
25,000+ SEIU volunteers on deck: SEIU will deploy over 25,000 volunteers during the final phase of the election; 1,000 SEIU members have regularly knocked on doors each weekend this fall in Pennsylvania —a critical, decisive battleground state.
Reaching 1 million voters at the doors: Union members and allies will knock on 1 million doors during the final four days of the election, focusing on key states such as Pennsylvania, Arizona, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
5 million calls made in the last four days: Nearly 5 million phone calls will be made to remind voters to cast their ballots and share critical information about polling locations, deadlines, and voter rights.
7 languages used for outreach: Voters will receive information in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Hmong, Haitian Creole, Polish, Tagalog, Mandarin, and more, ensuring no community is left behind in this critical election.
As part of one of the largest independent expenditure programs in the 2024 election cycle, SEIU’s GOTV efforts will focus heavily on voters under 45, with a majority of outreach focused on engaging voters of color under 45 years old. This demographic is key to determining the outcome in many battleground states, and SEIU is committed to ensuring that these voters are heard.
Over 6 million voter contacts surpassed: SEIU and our partners are on the ground and in communities, speaking with voters about what’s at stake. Our team has already knocked on over 1 million doors in Pennsylvania and Arizona alone, battleground states that will likely determine this election.
Targeting key demographics: More than 40% of our voter outreach efforts have been directed toward voters of color under 45, ensuring that younger, diverse communities are empowered to participate in this critical election.
A massive union member-focused volunteer force: More than 12,000 union members have already stepped up to volunteer, knocking on doors, making phone calls, and driving the voter engagement necessary to win for their communities in 2024.
One of the largest independent expenditure (IE) programs in 2024: SEIU has implemented one of the largest independent expenditure programs this cycle, demonstrating the strength and influence of worker power.
Multilingual outreach for maximum impact: Our efforts span multiple languages, ensuring that every voter, no matter their background, can understand their rights and participate in this election. Voter materials and phone calls are being made in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, Tagalog, Mandarin, Vietnamese, and Hmong.
Filling critical gaps in Spanish language media, collar county voter contact to members and union supporters.
As the election draws near, SEIU and its partners remain committed to driving turnout in every key state. We will continue our on-the-ground efforts, working in over 20 states to engage voters on the issues that matter most: better wages, healthcare, and workers’ rights.