Delegates, who represented dozens of different unions, also heard from Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, who applauded their civic involvement.
He thanked the union members for their participation in the electoral process, particularly as election judges. And he answered questions about the razor-thin margin in the U.S. Senate race, which took many months to resolve as incumbent Norm Coleman filed legal appeals to Al Franken’s victory.
“I’m appreciative of the 150 years of people who came before me who created a great system that could handle a close election,” Ritchie said.
The process did expose a few flaws in Minnesota’s system, which he said the Legislature needs to address. Use of absentee ballots has doubled and should be made easier, Ritchie noted. And Minnesota should do as other states do and issue a provisional election certificate so that no Congressional seat goes unfilled while an outcome is being appealed.
“We have changed how we live, how we work . . .” Ritchie said. “We have an obligation to change some of the ways we vote.”
 |
| Secretary of State Mark Ritchie addresses union retirees as delegates, including Dan Mikel and Martha Johnson (above) listen. |
 |
Record participation
Union retirees played a significant role in the election of Franken, President Obama and numerous other public officials, retirees Dan Mikel and Jim Voytilla reported.
“You showed up in numbers and did a great job of recruiting other volunteers,” Voytilla told delegates. Retirees participated in phone banks, doorknocks and other activities and voted at a higher percentage than the general public.
As the state’s population ages, the efforts of organizations like the State Retiree Council, AFL-CIO, will become even more important. Voytilla and Mikel are already planning for the 2010 elections.
“We look forward to electing our first DFL governor in 20 years,” Voytilla said.
In other business, delegates to the convention discussed the current national health care debate, approved resolutions on a variety of topics and elected officers. Elected were President Martha Johnson, First Vice President John Raplinger, Recording Secretary Wayne Wittman, Corresponding Secretary Dick Bennett, Treasurer Carol Cranbrook and 19 vice presidents. The convention was held at the Operating Engineers Local 49 hall.
For more information
Learn more about the Retirees Council at www.mnaflcio.org
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Delegates, who represented dozens of different unions, also heard from Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, who applauded their civic involvement.
He thanked the union members for their participation in the electoral process, particularly as election judges. And he answered questions about the razor-thin margin in the U.S. Senate race, which took many months to resolve as incumbent Norm Coleman filed legal appeals to Al Franken’s victory.
“I’m appreciative of the 150 years of people who came before me who created a great system that could handle a close election,” Ritchie said.
The process did expose a few flaws in Minnesota’s system, which he said the Legislature needs to address. Use of absentee ballots has doubled and should be made easier, Ritchie noted. And Minnesota should do as other states do and issue a provisional election certificate so that no Congressional seat goes unfilled while an outcome is being appealed.
“We have changed how we live, how we work . . .” Ritchie said. “We have an obligation to change some of the ways we vote.”
|
| Secretary of State Mark Ritchie addresses union retirees as delegates, including Dan Mikel and Martha Johnson (above) listen. |
|
Record participation
Union retirees played a significant role in the election of Franken, President Obama and numerous other public officials, retirees Dan Mikel and Jim Voytilla reported.
“You showed up in numbers and did a great job of recruiting other volunteers,” Voytilla told delegates. Retirees participated in phone banks, doorknocks and other activities and voted at a higher percentage than the general public.
As the state’s population ages, the efforts of organizations like the State Retiree Council, AFL-CIO, will become even more important. Voytilla and Mikel are already planning for the 2010 elections.
“We look forward to electing our first DFL governor in 20 years,” Voytilla said.
In other business, delegates to the convention discussed the current national health care debate, approved resolutions on a variety of topics and elected officers. Elected were President Martha Johnson, First Vice President John Raplinger, Recording Secretary Wayne Wittman, Corresponding Secretary Dick Bennett, Treasurer Carol Cranbrook and 19 vice presidents. The convention was held at the Operating Engineers Local 49 hall.
For more information
Learn more about the Retirees Council at www.mnaflcio.org