WHEREAS, electoral seasons are often highly contentious periods, particularly every four years when presidential elections occur; and

WHEREAS, the 2020 election is even more tense coming in the midst of the global coronavirus pandemic, economic recession, and nationwide uprisings against anti-Black police violence; and

WHEREAS, public health officials have expressed concerns about large groups of people congregating together to vote, which has led cities, counties, and states to expand the use of vote-by-mail to lessen the possible spread of COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, President Trump has condemned the use of mail-in ballots, claiming they are prone to “voter fraud,” despite election officials disputing these claims; and

WHEREAS, the President has repeatedly refused to commit to accepting the outcome of the election due to the use of vote-by-mail, leading many to fear a possible constitutional crisis, or worse; and

WHEREAS, armed militias and white supremacists whom the President himself has told to “stand by,” have vowed to use intimidation, bullying, and violent tactics to monitor polling places to stop alleged “voter fraud”; and

WHEREAS, in the case of a close or contested election, final vote tallies won’t be known on Election Night, and therefore it may take time to know who legitimately prevailed; and

WHEREAS, any attempt by either party to prematurely announce a winner before all the votes have been counted could lead to nationwide confusion, turmoil, and violence; and

WHEREAS, labor unions, community organizations, and progressive groups have formed coalitions to plan for post-election contingencies in the event that attempts to defraud the vote count intensify or violence occurs; and

WHEREAS, these coalitions led by Protect the Results, Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ), Holding the Line, and the People’s Strike have committed to engage in non-compliance, strikes, refusals to participate, and disruptive action to deny all legitimacy to anyone taking power before all votes are counted and an actual winner is declared; and

WHEREAS, although the California Faculty Association (CFA) is a statewide union that primarily focuses its political work and action on local and statewide initiatives and campaigns, we are also a union committed to antiracism and social justice that stands firmly against all forms of racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, economic exploitation, and threats to democratic systems of governance;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the CFA-LA Executive Board fully endorses and will participate in the organizing work being done by the coalition of unions, community organizations, and progressive groups to demand all votes be counted and to defend democracy;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the CFA-LA EBoard will introduce the resolution at its General Membership Town Hall on October 14, 2020, to encourage the membership to adopt and begin organizing post-election contingency plans in Los Angeles to support students, faculty, and community members who may engage in protests against attempts to discredit or steal the election; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that CFA-LA will introduce this resolution at CFA’s 91st Assembly, scheduled to occur from October 13 to October 17, 2020, and encourage the Assembly to adopt the resolution and affiliate with the coalition organized by SURJ and other community organizations strategically planning for post-election contingencies.

Adopted by CFA-LA Executive Board on October 12, 2020

Adopted by CFA-LA General Membership on October 14, 2020